The Pogues "The Best of The Pogues" (1991)

The Best of The Pogues (compilation)
release date: Sep. 1991
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: various
label: Pogue Mahone / Warner Music - nationality: UK

First best of album by The Pogues containing fourteen tracks.

Van Morrison "The Best Of - Volume Two" (1993)

The Best Of - Volume Two (compilation)
release date: Mar. 9, 1993
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: Van Morrison
label: Polydor Records - nationality: Northern Ireland, UK

2nd official best of album by Van Morrison - and as contrary to the The Best Of (1990) this is compiled by himself. Most tracks are recorded from 1984-91 except for two tracks by Them from 1965 and '66, and 11 of the 15 tracks are Morrison songs, two are traditionals, and two songs performed by Them are credited John Lee Hooker and Bob Dylan respectively.
The album peaked at number #31 on the UK albums chart list (number #6 in New Zealand) and didn't receive as much recognition as his first best of album. Perhaps because when selecting his own best songs, he has avoided many great compositions that he may have tired from, or songs he considers from a time he's no longer in sync with - and then he has selected a collection of songs that are closer to his current state of mind, regardless a long public hit-list of material to choose from.
Anyway, the album is definitely worth more than a listen, although, I never found it as intriguing as his first.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5 stars ]

Van Morrison "Hymns to the Silence" (1991)

Hymns to the Silence
release date: Sep. 1, 1991
format: 2 lp vinyl (849 026-1) / cd
[album rate: 4,5 / 5] [4,58]
producer: Van Morrison
label: Polydor Records - nationality: Northern Ireland, UK

Tracklist: A) 1. "Professional Jealousy" (5 / 5) - 2. "I'm Not Feeling It Anymore" (5 / 5) - 3. "Ordinary Life" (4 / 5) - 4. "Some Peace of Mind" (4 / 5) - 5. "So Complicated" - - B) 1. "I Can't Stop Loving You" (4 / 5) - 2. "Why Must I Always Explain?" (5 / 5) - 3. "Village Idiot" (5 / 5) - 4. "See Me Through, part 2 (Just a Closer Walk With Thee)" - 5. "Take Me Back" (5 / 5) - - C) 1. "By His Grace" - 2. "All Saints Day" - 3. "Hymns to the Silence" (5 / 5) - 4. "On Hyndford Street" (4 / 5) - 5. "Be Thou My Vision" - - D) 1. "Carrying a Torch" - 2. "Green Mansions" (4 / 5) - 3. "Pagan Streams" (4 / 5) - 4. "Quality Street" (5 / 5) - 5. "It Must Be You" (5 / 5) - 6. "I Need Your Kind of Loving" (4 / 5)

21st studio album by Van Morrison following one year after his great 20th album Enlightenment is a double album containing 21 new compositions. I'm a big fan of 'Van the Man', which comes through in the following, mind you. Although, I "only" own about 3/4 from his what... 40-45 studio albums (?), my musical taste includes all sorts of musical genres, styles and sub-genres. However, this album is one of my favourite albums of all styles and of all albums, and it will most likely always be that. It's beyond my recognition that e.g. Allmusic only direct 3,5 stars to this masterpiece. Avalon Sunset (1989) may be seen as his most pure and polished pop album but it receives a bit too much recognition, in my mind. I find that this even surpasses Enlightenment (1990), which by many is considered one of his best. I know that Avalon is extremely popular - many like it and not that many hold anything against it - and still not that many would be as bold to call it a masterpiece - this release is just that [period].
What I find works so well on this is the combination of several forces: it contains compositions that seem much in family with tracks that you'll find on his acclaimed No Guru, No Method, No Teacher (1986) and his more pop-minded Enlightenment (1990), and then you'll also find songs where he drifts into a musical dimension of sub-consciousness that reminds me of the strengths you'll find on Beautiful Vision (1982), Veedon Fleece (1974), and on Astral Weeks (1968). It's not an album that copies former successes, but here he dwells on compositional lines and arrangements of his past like a musical exploration.
In my view, this is not only his best studio release but also one of the most successful double albums and best 'pop / rock' albums in the history of modern music - that's how I feel about this album. I know it's a lot of roses and a completely subjective opinion but sometimes it may be right even so. The only reason I won't call it a 5 star release is because of a few songs that simply goes too far in the praising of (a) god. Yes, I'm aware of the title, and it's no real surprise that Van (especially during the 80s) could be a bit (over-)religious - but hey, that's Okay! I'm not judgemental. And it does seem that he has found a new faith after having released a couple of albums paying tribute to - if not exactly atheist conviction - non-religious spiritual philosophy. No, in fact, it's perfectly all right, I'm a very tolerant but non-religious person and I don't preach. I just don't adore a few of the songs... which explains that I cannot put it ahead of Talk Talk's best album and call it the best album of '91, but forced to pick just one album from that year (and the 90s overall) for a desert island trip - this would certainly be one of my top-3 albums.

1991 Favourite releases: 1. Talk Talk Laughing Stock - 2. Van Morrison Hymns to the Silence - 3. Kitchens of Distinction Strange Free World

Van Morrison & The Chieftains "Irish Heartbeat" (1988)

Irish Heartbeat
release date: Jun. 1988
format: cd (2008 remaster)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,28]
producer: Van Morrison
label: Exile / Polydor - nationality: Northern Ireland, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Star of the County Down" - 2. "Irish Heartbeat" - 3. "Tá Mo Chleamhnas Déanta" - 6. "I'll Tell Me Ma" - 7. "Carrickfergus" - 8. "Celtic Ray" - 10. "Marie's Wedding"

18th studio album by Van Morrison is released as a collaboration album with the sextet, The Chieftains and it follows his fine Poetic Champions Compose by only 9 months.
On this, he is only credited as composer of two tracks (#2 and #8) - "Celtic Ray" was originally released with the album Beautiful Vision (1982) and appears here in a re-arranged version - and the remaining songs are Irish traditional folk songs, but these have been arranged by Morrison together with Paddy Maloney (band leader) of the Irish folk band The Chieftains. Maloney is also credited for playing uilleann pipes and tin whistle. Aside from Maloney, The Cheiftains constitute of Martin Fay, Derek Bell, Kevin Coneff, Matt Molloy and Seán Kean. Apart from these also bassist Ciarán Brennan of Clannad play on an album where Van Morrison really embraces his Irish roots.
The album was met by positive reviews and critical acclaim and it peaked at number #18 on the UK albums chart list.
Irish Heartbeat is not a favourite of mine, but there's no doubt that they all play well together and the originality of the songs is handed with great admiration and devotion - that is if you're a fan of traditional celtic folk songs.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]

Van Morrison "No Guru, No Method, No Teacher" (1986)

No Guru, No Method, No Teacher
release date: Jul. 1986
format: vinyl / cd (2008 remaster)
[album rate: 4,5 / 5] [4,28]
producer: Van Morrison
label: Mercury / Exile, Polydor - nationality: Northern Ireland, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Got to Go Back" (4 / 5) - 2. "Oh the Warm Feeling" - 3. "Foreign Window" (4 / 5) - 4. "A Town Called Paradise" - 5. "In the Garden" (5 / 5) (live - live 2017) - 7. "Here Comes the Knight" - 8. "Thanks for the Information" (4 / 5) - 9. "One Irish Rover" (4,5 / 5) - 10. "Ivory Tower" - *12. "Lonely at the Top"

* Bonus track on CD remaster

16th studio album by Van Morrison following 1½ years after A Sense of Wonder (1984).

The front cover is a photo collage with Van on the left and what appears to be the photograph of a sculpture of Chinese philosopher Confucius on the right. The title of the album is with reference to Indian philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti, who said "[It all] depends on you, and not someone else, because in this there is no teacher, no pupil; there is no leader; there is no guru; there is no Master, no Saviour. You yourself are the teacher and the pupil; you are the Master; you are the guru; you are the leader; you are everything" (1966). With this, Van continues his open spiritual search, but with that new statement that he is not part of the Jehovas Witnesses, the Scientology movement or any other specific belief - only underlining that he has come to an understanding of the importance of the individual's own choices.

In retrospect, the album has come to be regarded as a bit of a cornerstone in his long career. From this, he really produces a series of some of his most acclaimed works. During the 80s, he is said to have suffered from writers' block, which had him rethink his artistic role and to even consider a complete retirement from the music business.

As Nick Coleman of the Independent puts it (here): "The four great Van albums are ‘Astral Weeks’, ‘Moondance’, ‘Veedon Fleece’ and … this one." - I do understand what he means, though I would add at least another two or three studio albums, but there's a strong common link to the potency of Van Morrison to all these (quite) different albums but they all share the powers of one man's songwriting and especially the unique force of his soulful vocal. He didn't participate in the gospel choirs growing up in Northern Ireland but he sings as if he was raised on nothing but Northern soul. On the fabulous "In the Garden" he sings "No Guru, No Method, No Teacher - Just you and I and nature - And the Father and the son and the holy ghost - In the garden". Does this reveal that Van is hanging on to an idea of the almighty Christian father figure, despite references to Krishnamurti? 'Cause the Indian philosopher also said: "I maintain that Truth is a pathless land, and you cannot approach it by any path whatsoever, by any religion, by any sect" (jiddu-krishnamurti.net), which doesn't coincide with a belief in the holy ghost, Van. [If you really are a true believer, you will find reason in all statements by Newton and Darwin to our current times of Victor Stenger and Richard Dawkins]. And it seems Van has landed a new understanding of the meaning of... everything. In some songs you'll find references to a belief in higher spirits, and then in others he claims to have come to realise it was all a hoax, as in "Thanks for the Information" when he sings: "Thanks for the invitation - I know I must be on to something big - Every time, I take two steps forward - I end up having to take three back [...] Thanks for the information - Thanks for the memory." Meaning: he's now over searching new truths about a higher understanding? And in that regard you can take almost any song on the album and find words and bits about a disbelief and what seems like a new confirmation that it's Okay not be in search of the light of truth, or a new water hole to drink from together with other believers but in fact be on your own in your understanding - regardless what that is.

And regardless belief, truth and 'truth' this very album contains some truly fine soulful compositions with a solid backing band and a balanced maturity in his vocal performance, which is the beautiful narration and the finest instrument.

Highly recommendable.

[ allmusic.com 4 / 5, Hot Press 11 / 12 stars ]

Van Morrison "A Sense of Wonder" (1984)

A Sense of Wonder
release date: Dec. 1984
format: cd (2008 remaster)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,66]
producer: Van Morrison
label: Exile / Polydor - nationality: Northern Ireland, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Tore Down a la Rimbaud" - 2. "Ancient of Days" - 3. "Evening Meditation" - 5. "What Would I Do" - 6. "Sense of Wonder" - 8. "If You Only Knew" - 10. "A New Kind of Man"

15th studio album by Van Morrison originally released by Mercury is released 1½ years following Inarticulate Speech of the Heart. Here he returns to his formula of combining soul, rhythm & blues, celtic folk in a singer / songwriter fusion arranged using a traditional backing band and incorporating Hammond organ and brass.
It may contain the 'usual' spiritual song titles like "The Master's Eye", "Evening Meditation", as well as the title track itself, but the overall impression here is not with a search of religious belief in mind as much as a selection of nicely arranged and well-orchestrated songs. Van is well-known for writing everything on his own, but here he has made room for a song by Ray Charles, one by Mose Allison and a song credited William Blake, Adrian Mitchell, and Mike Westbrook.
The album is definitely a step up compared to the new age style of the predecessor, and without being a classic top-album from The Man, it's a rather well-arranged album with several fine compositions and he his vocal performance shines as always.
[ allmusic.com 3,5 / 5 stars ]

Van Morrison "Common One" (1980)

Common One
release date: Aug. 1980
format: cd (1998 remaster)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,52]
producer: Van Morrison
label: Polydor Records - nationality: Northern Ireland, UK

Tracklist: 1. "Haunts of Ancient Peace" - 2. "Summertime in England" (live) - 3. "Satisfied" - 4. "Wild Honey" - 5. "Spirit" - 6. "When Heart Is Open"

12th studio album by Van Morrison originally released on Mercury in the UK and on Warner in the US is not stylistically shaped like its great predecessor. The cover hints at its focus on sensations and a freer style, which in places comes close to new age. Morrison has always found back to a free form of composing, by some described as streams of consciousness, or: impressionistic, and here he may challenge this form further with tunes soothing of mysticism. There are elements of jazz and folk, and the result is clearly less strict compositions than one has met before on any of his albums. Also, the album contains two songs (tracks #2 & #6) of more than 15 mins playing time.
The album was generally met by negative reviews and poor sales numbers and it's his first album not to be followed by any single releases. In retrospect the album has gained much more acclaim with reviewers acknowledging its potential outside a traditional mainstream pop / rock sphere and that it contains other qualities of beauty than those normally attributed popular music albums.
Common One is really something else, even from Morrison's hands, but it's by no means a mediocre or poor album. Yes, you probably have to appreciate vocal jazz and longer more freer compositions that touch on new age in order to enjoy Common One. It doesn't contain any obvious memorable tracks and in that way it resembles the strengths of Hard Nose the Highway from 1973 where it's much about the sum of songs that is the album's real power; however, Common One is in that respect arguably a warmer and better album, imho.
Among his own albums, Morrison is said to hold this as a personal favourite.
[ allmusic.com, Q Magazine 3 / 5 stars ]

Van Morrison "Veedon Fleece" (1974)

Veedon Fleece
release date: Oct. 1974
format: cd (2008 remaster)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,08]
producer: Van Morrison
label: Polydor Japan - nationality: Northern Ireland, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Fair Play" (4 / 5) - 2. "Linden Arden Stole the Highlights" (4 / 5) - 3. "Who Was That Masked Man" - 4. "Streets of Arklow" - 5. "You Don't Pull No Punches, But You Don't Push the River" - 7. "Cul de Sac" - 8. "Comfort You" - 10. "Country Fair"

8th studio album by Van Morrison originally released on Warner Bros. is a side-step to his more introvert compositions as heard on Astral Weeks, though the music here seems more bound to his Celtic background. Already, Morrison has been engaged in and has worked with many musical styles. Sometimes he turns to blues, soul, rhythm & blues, folk, celtic folk, but he always has his singer / songwriter profile whatever style he embraces and on Veedon Fleece he dwells more than ever before on ancient roots of his homeland without making it entirely celtic folk as on his later collaboration work Irish Heartbeat with The Chieftains. There's often acoustic guitar or piano up front combined with flute and string arrangements making it his most chamber or in those days: baroque-styled album.
Since his move to America in the late 1960s Morrison hadn't been back in Ireland, but a divorce and a physically exhausting tour in '73, which had produced his great live album It's too Late to Stop Now!, made him withdraw from the limelight and during a vacation in Northern Ireland, he found peace and room to write the majority of the tracks for this album.
Veedon Fleece wasn't met by critical acclaim or huge sales numbers but over time it has grown to be mentioned as a 'forgotten' masterpiece. As a contemporary rising solo artist, Van was expected to deliver strong and short soul-based songs, which could be linked with Them, but this as Astral Weeks weren't seen as the great albums that time would later have them positioned as.
After the album release and after luke-warm to negative reviews and poor sales of his most recent and emotional album Van Morrison withdrew from the music industry. He didn't launch on any new tours; in fact, the only live performance he made in a three year period was his appearance in The Band's acclaimed The Last Waltz concert in 1976.
Although, I have only come across the album in recent years, and after having settled with the greatness of Van the Man through many of his other albums, this is just another of his truly great albums that I shall never tire off. Listening to it, is like opening a window and feel how a delicate breeze change the air without a lot of turmoil, and it's easy to imagine open green fields and a desolate country-side, which may / may not have inspired him on his three weeks return to Northern Ireland back then. It's an album full of sentiments - a bombardement to your senses. In retrospect, I kind of understand how music critics and fans were disillusioned wanting to have him at 'full force gale' - but they were only in need of time to understand his true nature and vast repertoire.
It's hard just to pin out the very best tracks on this 'cause it's really like going through a novel - it takes you to places and the journey is just the way it is. There are no jumps or U-turns or mistakes along the road, but it's there, laid out for you, and the journey is so damn fine.
Highly recommended.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5, Record Collector, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]

Van Morrison "Saint Dominic's Preview" (1972)

Saint Dominic's Preview
release date: Jul. 1972
format: cd (1997 remaster)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,88]
producer: Van Morrison, Ted Templeman
label: Polydor Records - nationality: Northern Ireland, UK

Tracklist: 1. "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile)" - 2. "Gypsy" - 3. "I Will Be There" - 4. "Listen to the Lion" - 5. "Saint Dominic's Preview" - 6. "Redwood Tree" - 7. "Almost Independence Day"

6th studio album by Van Morrison is like the predecessor co-produced by Ted Templeman and originally released on Warner Bros., and is a nice return to his strong stylistic singer / songwriter combo of r&b, folk rock, soul and parts of celtic folk and chamber pop. It doesn't really come close to any of his previous albums, but it sounds more like a great cocktail of them all. There are strong uptempo r&b songs, more celtic-founded folk, and then there are strong soul-fuelled compositions and those with a clear jazz element - and the strength of it all is the coherence, which is clearly there despite all the different styles it incorporates, which ultimately also distinguishes this from its two most recent predecessors - both lacking coherence. Some tracks here follow the matrix of Tupelo Honey and The Street Choir, whereas others pick up the tone and style of Astral Weeks. There are simple chorus-based pop / rock songs and more meditative progressive 'experiments'. But it's all held together by Morrison's songwriting skills, his strong vocal, an element of bass and string-based compositions with the addition of brass instruments. And almost as usual with Van the Man: All tracks are composed by Van Morrison. It could be confused by a compilation or even best of album 'cause there are literally no weak tracks here.
This is no less than Van Morrison's third best album so far and a timeless classic.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5, Rolling Stone 5 / 5 stars ]

Van Morrison "Moondance" (1970)

Moondance
release date: Feb. 28, 1970
format: cd (1991 reissue)
[album rate: 4,5 / 5] [4,52]
producer: Van Morrison, Lewis Merenstein (exec. pro.)
label: Warner Bros. - nationality: Northern Ireland, UK

Tracklist: 1. "And It Stoned Me" (4,5 / 5) - 2. "Moondance" (4 / 5) - 3. "Crazy Love" - 4. "Caravan" (5 / 5) (live from The Last Waltz concert with The Band) - 5. "Into the Mystic" (4 / 5) - 6. "Come Running" - 7. "These Dreams of You" - 8. "Brand New Day" - 9. "Everyone" - 10. "Glad Tidings" (4 / 5)

3rd solo album by Van Morrison is once again with Lewis Merenstein, although, Van has already put himself in charge of the production. The album is the natural stylistic follow up to Astral Weeks, but it also combines a new simpler soul element with his singer / songwriter, celtic folk and jazz feel.
Although, his contemporaries didn't experience it exactly like that, Astral Weeks was his great break-through album as a solo artist, and the album where he came out perfectly on his own terms and in his own combination of celtic folk, and as a singer / songwriter. However, the album wasn't met by enthusiasm, and Morrison decided he'd try to make music that people would have a bigger chance to relate to. Moondance released 1½ years after Astral Weeks is a continued sublime journey in his newfound own combo of folk, jazz and singer / songwriter with the change that his new album has less focus on celtic folk and in addition reflects a bolder soul element, which by no means makes it a lesser interesting release. It's simply one of his best albums and a must-have in any collection of modern singer / songwriter, pop / rock, and folk-oriented music. I simply love this album, and like its predecessor it's naturally enlisted in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".

1970 Favourite releases: 1. Creedence Clearwater Revival Cosmo's Factory - 2. Van Morrison Moondance - 3. Neil Young After the Gold Rush

BEST OF 1968:Van Morrison "Astral Weeks" (1968)

Astral Weeks
release date: Nov. 1968
format: cd (1987 reissue)
[album rate: 4,5 / 5] [4,54]
producer: Lewis Merenstein
label: Warner Bros. - nationality: Northern Ireland, UK

Tracklist: 1. "Astral Weeks" (4,5 / 5) - 2. "Beside You" - 3. "Sweet Thing" (5 / 5) (live) - 4. "Cyprus Avenue" (4,5 / 5) - 5. "The Way Young Lovers Do" - 6. "Madame George" (5 / 5) - 7. "Ballerina" - 8. "Slim Slow Slider"

2nd studio album by Van Morrison originally released by Warner Bros. Morrison's contractual obligations with Bang Records was a heavy thorn to get rid off and it had prevented him from performing and releasing his own material for some time [about his dispute with Bang], but eventually he made a more conscious signing with Warner Bros., which basically led him release the songs he wanted to. And what a change in style and sound compared to his work with Them and compared to his debut album released one year earlier.
The first reviews weren't all that positive, but that all changed during the 1970s, and the album is commonly regarded as a milestone of the late 1960s with its original blend of styles, and it has been mentioned by many stars of modern music - if not the very best of all, a highly influential album.
Naturally, the album is included in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".
The album is definitely in my top albums list of the year - for several years I had it fourth... then third, but frankly, today I have no doubts in putting this album at the very top and by that surpassing Hendrix' fourth album Electric Ladyland, The Beatles' White Album and the great debut by The Band - all great albums of 1968. For many years it was just outside my personal top 3 favourite albums by Morrison - surpassed by Moondance and Hymns to the Silence, but it may just be his best. In my opinion, it's an album that only grows with the knowledge of its very existence and essence. Then it may just grow with knowledge.
[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone, The Independent 5 / 5 stars ]

1968 Favourite releases: 1. Van Morrison Astral Weeks - 2. Jimi Hendrix Electric Ladyland - 3. The Beatles The Beatles [The White Album]