Van Morrison
His Band And The Street Choir

THE REVIEW

Van Morrison, after the double-shot-that-even-Pelé-would-envy "Astral Weeks"/"Moondance," gets married, and probably as a result, releases a sunny, light-hearted, and less ambitious album than its predecessors (from the booklet: "he was sickeningly alone, afraid and ranting to be neither… now look at the good feelings that radiate").

How can you argue with these words when the opening of Van the Man's third album is entrusted to the big single "Domino," yet another example of how he knows how to craft catchy but never trivial melodies, choruses with assured appeal, with guitars that intricately weave beneath, and horns that elevate and make you want to dance; and if "Crazy Face" is remembered for its bluesy gait and the trumpet that pierces through what is a song Morrison writes with his eyes closed, "Give Me a Kiss" is a fun romp with a classic piano loop embellished by backing vocals that couldn't be more pop and '60s. "I've Been Working" is an example of rock with delta/soul undertones so muscular and scorching that it could belong to John Fogerty, and among the guitars and organs, there’s also time for a nice sax solo; "Call Me Up in Dreamland" mimics too many previous episodes of Morrison's corpus, while "I’ll Be Your Lover, Too" is a tender and poignant ballad, a delicate declaration of love that vaguely recalls the astral week's atmosphere; "Blue Money" wasn't really needed, and "Virgo Clowns" only makes sense in reminding us that this is an album made to entertain and enjoy, to celebrate a moment of happiness without overthinking it.

"Gypsy Queen" is perhaps one of the best episodes of the album, a lullaby, a soul music box sung almost à la Marvin Gaye. "Sweet Jannie" insists on the blues groove (and here the listener may start showing some signs of boredom), and "If I Ever Needed Someone" seems like a copy of the opening "Crazy Face." Better is the concluding "Street Choir," dreamy and warm, a worthy conclusion to an album sufficiently successful, cheerful, and romantic, with a bit too much repetition, but still very much enjoyable.

But if you are looking to get acquainted with Van Morrison, you're in the wrong place.