WARNING! If you’re not a fan of the Blues, you’ll probably not like this new Van Morrison CD. Morrison unleashes his bluesy singing voice and the 15 tracks on this CD are all blues songs. Some are new, but most are older tunes. I liked “Transformation” and “Benediction” the best. Your mileage may vary. Not my favorite Van Morrison CD. GRADE: B-
TRACK LIST:
1. “Roll With the Punches” (Van Morrison & Don Black)
2. “Transformation” (Van Morrison)
3. “I Can Tell” (Bo Diddley & Samuel Bernard Smith)
4. “Stormy Monday / Lonely Avenue” (T-Bone Walker / Doc Pomus)
5. “Goin’ To Chicago” (Count Basie & Jimmy Rushing)
6. “Fame” (Van Morrison)
7. “Too Much Trouble” (Van Morrison)
8. “Bring It on Home to Me” (Sam Cooke)
9. “Ordinary People” (Van Morrison)
10. “How Far From God” (Sister Rosetta Tharpe)
11. “Teardrops From My Eyes” (Rudy Toombs)
12. “Automobile Blues” (Lightnin’ Hopkins)
13. “Benediction” (Mose Allison)
14. “Mean Old World” (Little Walter)
15. “Ride On Josephine” (Bo Diddley)
Have to agree with you. Not a bad record but not a Van Morrison I would pull out to play if I’m in a Morrison mood. He has done a lot stronger records during his career. Luckily I got to hear it without buying it. Right now I’m playing the new The National cd a lot. Their records tend to grow on me. The more I play them the more I enjoy them. Also really like the new song from U2 which you can hear on youtube called You’re the Best Thing About Me and the new one from St. Vincent called Los Ageless. Plus the new Beck comes out next week.
Steve, I’m looking forward to the new Beck. U2 is coming to town for a concert. I’ll have to check out the new St. Vincent! Thanks for the heads up.
I like the old Van Morrison stuff. I do like the blues, but I will be passing on this.
Jeff, I like the old Van Morrison stuff, too. But the bluesy Van Morrison is not for me!
What Jeff said.
This is not for me, don’t like the blues
If I hear three blues songs in a row I feel suicidal! Pass!
Maggie, a little bit a blues music goes a long way with me.