release date: Feb. 16, 1982
format: cd (1998 remaster)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,86]
producer: Van Morrison
label: Polydor Records - nationality: Northern Ireland, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Celtic Ray" - 3. "Dweller on the Threshold" (live) - 6. "Cleaning Windows" (live) - 7. "Vanlose Stairway" (live) - 8. "Aryan Mist" - 9. "Across the Bridge Where Angels Dwell" (live)
13th studio album by Van Morrison originally released by Mercury and as usual produced by Van himself is almost the exception to the rule that Van never releases an album in the same style as his previous album. Beautiful Vision takes off and continue his journey into a country-side of new age-inspired surroundings where Common One (1980) had left many critics and fans somewhat pondering as to what he was up to, perhaps thinking he had given up on his rhythm & blues ground.
It seems critics were more positive about this than the predecessor - many claiming that this is more coherent and melodic.
I recall the time of its release - I wasn't yet a fan but remember how Al Jones on the national radio show kept circling around the fact that Morrison had a Danish girlfriend and that the album had a Danish theme and Scandinavian touch running through it. Of course he had tracks like "Northern Muse (Solid Ground)", "Vanlose Stairway" and "Scandinavia" as obvious evidence, though perhaps the track "Across the Bridge Where Angels Dwell" is one of his most direct love songs. I didn't listen to the album in its entirety until the late 80s thinking of it as one of his lesser releases, but that impression has changed since then. I have always returned to this album, and every time it has given me something new. And that's the obvious strength about it 'cause it has the same universal greatness about it as its predecessor. It's not so much the single tracks that makes you listen but the stories and the sensations it stirs. Earlier, I always felt that "Cleaning Windows" was the only true hit on the album. Nowadays, I still enjoy that, although, I find it a bit out of tune with the other songs, as it has a simpler construct, like a song that would fit better on Into the Music (1979). The other songs here are deeper, soothing of either mysticism or a search of something... love or beliefs. Undoubtedly, the album is produced during a time where Morrison was in search of spiritual faith. Whether he was a strong believer or not, the music and lyrics he delivers don't link him to any specific belief, and the overall theme of love may be interpreted in many ways, which I think is a fine strength of the album. There's a fine element of (free) jazz that stirs the tone of 'new age' and makes it all much more digestible.
It's not an album full of great hit songs, but it's far from weak or a low point in Van's long career. I basically consider it essential to the Van Morrison collection.
Highly recommendable.
[ allmusic.com 3 / 5, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]
