Morrison, Van - Magic Time

Year of Release: 2005
Label: Geffen
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 56:02:00

Van Morrison's impact has not faltered one iota from my perspective, especially after listening to his new album Magic Time. I do not claim to be an avid fan of his catalog; I am the owner of a few titles, so I am not awestruck by his music. I have to say that this album is superb and he really does not sound any different than he did when he released his all time famous tune "Brown Eyed Girl." Morrison's vision and purpose is crystal clear on this album.

This CD takes all of Van's styles and influences and packages it into one session. His Celtic background is always present along with elements of blues, rock, jazz and pop, its all part of the Morrison repertoire and its done exquisitely by the master.

"Lonely and Blue" is a great take on the blues, which is fitting for Morrison's vocal style. On "Just Like Greta" he sings how the starlet left her career at its peak just because she wanted to be alone; it seems as though he feels that same way and he gets that feeling across very well indeed. The music propels the emotive tone of the lyrics with an atmospheric organ and the other instruments in just the right places to push the song over to make it believable. He manages to construct every track that way actually.

I fell in love with this album after one listen, but of course, that was hardly enough. There is not a bad track here, all 13 have there own purposefulness and character and Morrison's personality and commanding presence make each song a story that you easily become part of after he sings the first lines. The music is excellent, and it does not matter which style he explores. He most certainly does "Keep Mediocrity At Bay" with this fine album.

Tracklisting:
Stranded (5:34) / Celtic New Year (6:10) / Keep Mediocrity at Bay (3:44) / Evening Train (2:48) / This Love of Mine (2:42) / I'm Confessin' (4:27) / Just Like Greta (6:25) / Gypsy in My Soul (4:04) / Lonely and Blue (3:41) / This Lion This Time (4:56) / Magic Time (5:06) / They Sold Me Out (3:11) / Carry on Regardless (5:54)

Musicians:
Van Morrison ? vocals...

Discography:
Astral Weeks (1968)
Moondance (1970)
His Band And The Street Choir (1970)
Tupelo Honey (1971)
St. Dominics Preview (1972)
Hard Nose The Highway (1973)
It's Too Late To Stop Now (1974)
Veedon Fleece (1974)
A Period Of Transition (1977)
Wavelength (1978)
Into The Music (1979)
Common One (1980)
Beautiful Vision (1982)
Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart (1983)
Live At The Grand Opera House (1984)
A Sense Of Wonder (1985)
No Guru, No Method, No Teacher (1986)
Poetic Champions Compose (1987)
Irish Heartbeat (1988)
Avalon Sunset (1989)
Enlightenment (1990)
The Best Of Vol. 1 (1990)
Hymns to The Silence (1991)
The Best Of Vol. 2 (1993)
Too Long In Exile (1993)
A Night In San Francisco (1994)
Days Like This (1995)
How Long Has This Been Going On (1995)
The Healing Game (1996)
Tell Me Something (1996)
The Philosopher's Stone (1998)
Back On Top (1999)
The Skiffle Sessions (w/Lonnie Donegan and Chris Barber) (2000)
Down The Road (2002)
What's Wrong With This Picture (2003)
Magic Time (2005)

Genre: Rock

Origin UK

Added: June 3rd 2005
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.vanmorrison.co.uk
Hits: 2601
Language: english