Van Morrison - The Philosopher's Stone
|
Our Price: $74.98 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $8.99 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for The Philosopher's Stone
Free Music Review: As 'bootleg' collections go, the music is really solid
Hit: 4 Stars
Van Morrison, one of rock's finest songwriters and arguably it's finest singer, crafted a number of strong albums, and that's where most should start. However, once you get through ASTRAL WEEKS, MOONDANCE, and the rest, if you still want more, PHILOSOPHER'S STONE is an excellent set to get. The packaging is a bit lacking (incorrect dates and lyric transcriptions, and even though Van wrote track-by-track notes, he decided not to include them), but as far as content goes, this is an excellent selection of unreleased studio material. Unfortunately, it doesn't include any content like demos or outtakes before the 1970's (hopefully there will be a Volume Two that includes them), but what's here is surprisingly consistent. Even the weaker material like "Twilight Zone" is enjoyable for Van's singing.
Few artists merit collections like these, because in order for them to work, one has to be prolific and, more importantly, shelve 'rejects' that hold up to their best work; this set fulfills both requirements. A strong, early version of "Wonderful Remark" arguably trumps the released version. "Madame Joy" and "Contemplation Rose" are beautiful tracks that could've salvaged HARD NOSE THE HIGHWAY (one of his weakest albums); so could've "Drumshanbo Hustle," an angry, vitriolic song against the music industry that miraculously transcends its bitterness. Then there's "Naked Jungle," possibly his greatest stab at funk, and excellent compositions like "The Street Only Knew Your Name" and "I Have Finally Come To Realize" that disprove the notion that he had trouble coming up with new material in the mid-70's (trouble releasing it, but not writing and recording it). Even better is "Crazy Jane On God," which was meant for release but had to be temporarily shelved for legal reasons (based on a Yeats poem, he didn't get permission to use it); in less capable hands, it could've been a pretentious disaster, but it's surprisingly accessible and works very well here.
It's an expensive set at $30, and for that reason, I'd recommend this only if you've already explored his best work: the early classics with Them, ASTRAL WEEKS, MOONDANCE, ST. DOMINIC'S PREVIEW, VEEDON FLEECE, IT'S TOO LATE TO STOP NOW, and INTO THE MUSIC, for starters. If your appetite is still strong by that point, than PHILOSOPHER'S STONE will definitely come in handy.
Free Music Review: mediocre
Hit: 2 Stars
I am a big van morrison fan of his 70's music. Some of his music is sheer genius and "Philosophers Stone" has some tracks from this period. "Ordinary People", "Foggy Mountain Top" and "The Street Only Knows Your Name" are really good tunes that were somehow overlooked for too long. This is not a great CD, but it does have some merit. Sadly, this CD surpasses anything Van has released in the last 25 years!Free Music Review: This CD Sucks
Hit: 1 Stars
That is as honestly and as succintly as I can put it.Don't buy this crap.Free Music Review: he is the philosopher
Hit: 4 Stars
wonderful remark is one of vans best songs so true and contemplation rose is maybe his best singing im i love this i wanted it so long i bought it i listened i felt it you need itFree Music Review: The SOUL of Van Morrison
Hit: 5 Stars
From what I understand about this album, it is a lot of versions of songs they decided NOT go go with, as well as songs that just didn't fit into any of the albums Van Morrison has made.If you like a blues backbone to your music, this is a CD you MUST HAVE. The second disk in the set is much more up-beat and starts with one of the best songs on the album "The Street only Knew Your Name".