Van Morrison - Keep It Simple
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Free Music Notes for Keep It Simple
Free Music Review: Old School Cool!
Hit: 5 Stars
I liked this record the first time I listened to it. Songs are cool and pleasant. "School of Hard Knocks" and "Soul" standout for me. Van retained the country band from "Pay the Devil" and they are great. I also like the organ throughout as it adds nice color to the songs. Good storytelling and great music. Another fine Van Morrison album. Also, I bought the vinyl version which has a few extra songs not on the CD. Good listen while driving to and from work.Free Music Review: Grown-up music!
Hit: 4 Stars
Yeah, this is grown-up music... not aimed at iPod-shuffling kids. Unless of course you are a very hip iPod-shuffling kid!
Not to get sidetracked, but speaking of iPods, I recommend this album on vinyl. Partly because the music suits listening to it all the way through with no skip button at hand. And partly because the vinyl version contains three songs not on the CD. This is an amazing thing for Van fanatics like me, and a testament to the growing and unexpected allure of vinyl in 2008. The three bonus cuts are live versions recorded in 2008 of the songs "Blue And Green," "Little Village" and "And The Healing Has Begun." The latter is one of my favorite songs ever. This live version, as with the other two, is autumnal and stately in a way that fits his mid-60s age and his musical predilections (i.e., the title of this album). I like the version of "A.T.H.H.B." but it's a slow-burner live version so it won't bowl you over. Mostly I was drawn to the other two live cuts, which I wasn't very familiar with previously. Very nice stuff, and for Van fanatics, they definitely justify getting this on vinyl instead of CD.
Sorry to get ahead of myself though! The album itself is just what the name implies and what I referenced earlier -- an autumnal, stately and rather modest album of ballads. By modest I mean that, in this age of 'American Idol' over-emoting vocally, Van lets his vocals serve the song, gently pushing them along like a canoe on a lazy river. He could belt out melismatic undulations of noise like the misguided folks on that show but now, more than ever, he does not. He serves each song here with dignity and finesse.
Van is known for putting out so many albums that quality control isn't always there, and for some of us long-time Van fans, the question becomes, "OK, bottom line... is it worth getting this new one when I mostly like to listen to his older albums anyway?" The answer, first of all, is listen more closely to some of his recent albums because there are moments of brilliance in all of them (I think "The Meaning Of Loneliness" from 2003's "What's Wrong With This Picture?" album might be one of the best 5 songs he's ever written). Secondly, in terms of this particular album, the answer is yes. It's not the equal of his best albums from decades ago, no, and it gets a little samey-slow by the end, but my wife and four-year-old son seem to love it every time I put it on, and with a glass of wine in hand and an ear to listen to a slow-burner like this one, I like it too.
Bottom line: midway through the first song, you'll be smiling and glad you bought it. Especially if you take my advice and get the vinyl version. And if you don't have a turntable, good lord, get you one! Vinyl is the most fun way to listen to music still.
Free Music Review: Van is constantly original
Hit: 5 Stars
Nearly 40 years of writing, recording and touring and Van Morrison continues to craft original and elegant compositions that are certain to become new classics. Keep It Simple is hardly that. Lyrically magnificent, with great instrumentation, Van continues to create outstanding new music -- and this will be yet another triumph in a rich and long history of musical excellence.Free Music Review: Play it over and over and over
Hit: 5 Stars
I've been glued to the headphones all day drifting with Van's soulful sounds. I think the low-keyed accompanying instruments allow his voice to shine. The music is a bit subtle with no load moans or growls or shouts.
It's a gentle drink with soft echoes stirring my soul.
Free Music Review: What happened?
Hit: 2 Stars
I love love love Van Morrison, have practically all his CDs. Every single one has at least one song that makes me swoon, till this one. I don't care if I ever hear any of these songs again. I am absolutely bewildered.
Not that it's bad, just forgettable. He sounds fine, the musicians are very good. But I don't care about this CD. When he sang a chorus of "Blah blah blah" on the last track, it was kind of infuriating. Like he deliberately kept himself aloof from this music, just put it out because he had a contractual obligation or whatever. Literally the best part is the cover photo, which is awesome. I so loved the comment that he was posing for Mount Rushmore. But Van - where'd you go? And are you coming back?