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Binding: Audio CDEAN: 0602517630789 Label: Lost Highway Manufacturer: Lost Highway MPN: 001065802 Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: Lost Highway Release Date: April 01, 2008 Studio: Lost Highway Editorial Review: Amazon.com: Those familiar with Van Morrison's ever mercurial muse could hardly have been surprised when he turned up on the artistically centered, avant-country label Lost Highway to pay tribute to a era-spanning slate of country icons on the Nashville imprint's `06 collection, Pay the Devil. But while the ensuing years were dominated by several rich anthologies of Morrison's work, he's returned here to masterfully show his love of country was no passing fancy. As the title suggests, Morrison's self-produced approach to the genre is both musically and emotionally elemental, a no frills approach that fits him like a well-worn pair of Tony Llamas. Indeed, even as he's addressing matters of musical style and substance in an unusually introspective way on "That's Entertainment" and "Soul," the veteran's singing here is so natural and deceptively effortless as to disguise how forcefully Morrison has immersed himself in the country mold - or, more to the point, remade it lovingly in his own image, also marking the first time in several years he's penned all the songs on one of his albums. Whether offering a little tutelage about the vagaries of fate on "School of Hard Knocks," taking W.C. Handy's "St. Louis Blues" as the starting point for the slow-burning, Hammond B3-seeped country blues lament "Don't Go to Nightclubs Anymore," or preaching the backroads Zen gospel of the title track and Banjo-seasoned elegy "Song of Home," Morrison's warm, world-weary voice connects with themes that are as familiar as sunshine - and every bit as fundamentally complicated. --Jerry McCulley Amazon.com: On April 1st, Lost Highway will proudly release Keep It Simple, the new album from Van Morrison. Keep It Simple is Morrison's first album of new material since 2005, and the first in several years in which he composed all 11 songs specifically for one album. In the interim the legendary artist had a year that may be unprecedented for any living artist, having released three separate collections of his hits, with the latest, Still On Top entering the UK charts at #2 and selling platinum, proving the ongoing appetite for his unrivalled work. His music has always incorporated the widely varied influences he heard and absorbed since his childhood days on the streets of Belfast- long before the bands of his youth and his initial breakthrough with the band he started early on- called "Them." On Keep It Simple, Morrison honors all those varied influences - Ulster-Scots Celtic, Jazz, Folk, Blues, Country, Soul and Gospel - and an added surprise of a mighty Ukelele -most times melding them all together at once creating his unmistakable signature sound. In some of these songs Morrison addresses the propaganda of the myth perpetrating rock music world. There is a definite theme that recurs throughout the album, especially in the title track. In keeping with that idea, Keep It Simple does not boast the big horns or expected string arrangements of some of Morrison's previous work. What it does feature are gorgeous songs rich with emotion, depth and beauty. Album Description: In keeping with the album title, Keep It Simple does not boast the big horns or string arrangements of some of Morrison's previous work. What it does feature are 11 gorgeous songs rich with emotion, depth and beauty. 'I felt I had something to say with these songs.' says Van Morrison. He explains his approach with the track 'Entrainment' by saying 'when you connect with the music - Entrainment is really what I'm getting at in the music. It's kind of when you're in the present moment. You're here with no past or future.' 11 tracks. Average Rating:
 Rating:  - Typical, incredible MorrisonTypical, incredible Morrison. As always, the more I listen the deeper the meaning . . . 'stretching time stretching time . . .' Rating: - Soul of TalentOnce again Van Morrison proves why his longevity in the music biz is well deserved. With his distinctive voice and lush musicianship, this new effort ranks right up there with his classics ("Moondance", "Poetic Champions Compose", etc.). Highly recommended. Rating:  - lost highway is aptI first saw Van live in 1967. I have been a fan for more than 40 years. In my opinion, this is his most banal and aimless recording ever. The last recording that moved me was "Back on Top". My son (a musician) and I were lamenting Van's missing muse. My advice is for Van to record again when (if) he finds her. Rating: - Dull as dishwaterWhat's with this guy? His recent output is all interchangable, tedious riffs that could have been written by anyone. There's nothing distinctive (other than the ageless voice) and nothing you haven't heard before on this album. Save your dough or, if you simply must buy a Van Morrison album, get a copy of "Veedon Fleece" and revel in what this artist used to produce. Now he's simply tedious. Rating:  - From an Van the Man FanWhile this is a solid presentation of straight-ahead blues and R&B, it lacks the creative and emotional flair of Van's greatest work, which has been mostly lacking since the mid 90's. |
