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The summer of 1986 saw the release of Van Morrison's twenty-first solo album, The Man. The title is a veritable "philosophical manifesto": "No guru, no method, no teacher," taken from the lyrics of the song "In the Garden."
The Man was 41 years old when he recorded this album with its exquisite cover. The vocal ability of the old lion is, as always, at high levels: strong, warm voice, inspiring, full of purity and depth. The songs are superb, flowing naturally from the instruments and vocal cords, an emotional current that knows how to blend into a unique whole: melody, poetry, soul, rock, the ancient music of the Celtic tradition, and jazz.
Morrison's originality lies in his completely free approach to music, in his movement outside pre-established schemes, following only the currents of the heart, the emotions of a poetry that becomes music in the most complete and fascinating way.
Despite the triple negation of the title, the album is still addressed to a supreme entity that is neither recognizable nor recognized; Morrison composes with his head towards the sky, and many will not agree, but he boasts a long-standing presence in the "music business" and has never believed in the political messages delivered through the grooves of a record.
When asked about the hidden meaning of the title, Morrison replies:
"Well, in one of the songs this phrase is mentioned where I try to get you to observe a program of transcendental meditation... If you listen to the song carefully to the end, you will reach a mental tranquility... I want to state here once again that I am not part of any organization, that I have no guru at my service, no teachers, no methods to adhere to, and everything I claim in the song is true."
The album enjoyed significant critical success, thanks in particular to the homogeneity of the compositions, where we find the most cherished and heartfelt themes of the Irishman; the nostalgia for his homeland and childhood, and the continuous religious search, with fewer dogmas and open to new conceptions of faith, always based on vital naturalism—the only positive force and true Muse of the artist.
In the record, there is an unusual optimism, a relaxed joy of living, and a passion never seen before. Like all Morrison's albums, this work can be fully appreciated only after multiple listens.
The greatness of this album lies in the ability to convey "his" inner world externally and therefore enable others to enjoy its extraordinary beauty. Indeed, its universality is that of uniting body and mind, man and nature. Its completeness benefits whoever listens to it. Listen to it in winter or summer, in sun or rain, whether you are sad or happy, to wake up or fall asleep, in any case and/or for any use you make of it, it will always be a beneficial listen. Like water when thirsty, like light when dark. This is its uniqueness. Morrison, far from trends, deeply immersed in a world of poetry and emotion, is undoubtedly one of the most complete and fascinating artists in music over the past thirty years, endowed with an inimitable vocal ability and a passion, energy, and strength that we rarely encounter. His art, his music, are certainly destined not to be erased over time, not to suffer the ravages of time.
This is one of the absolute masterpieces of the Morrison saga.
Rating 5/5
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
05 In the Garden (05:48)
The streets are always wet with rain
After a summer shower when I saw you standin'
In the garden in the garden wet with rain
You wiped the teardrops from your eye in sorrow
As we watched the petals fall down to the ground
And as I sat beside you I felt the
Great sadness that day in the garden
And then one day you came back home
You were a creature all in rapture
You had the key to your soul
And you did open that day you came back to the garden
The olden summer breeze was blowin' on your face
The light of God was shinin' on your countenance divine
And you were a violet colour as you
Sat beside your father and your mother in the garden
The summer breeze was blowin' on your face
Within your violet you treasure your summery words
And as the shiver from my neck down to my spine
Ignited me in daylight and nature in the garden
And you went into a trance
Your childlike vision became so fine
And we heard the bells inside the church
We loved so much
And felt the presence of the youth of
Eternal summers in the garden
And as it touched your cheeks so lightly
Born again you were and blushed and we touched each other lightly
And we felt the presence of the christ
And I turned to you and I said
No guru, no method, no teacher
Just you and I and nature
And the father in the garden
No guru, no method, no teacher
Just you and I and nature
And the father and the
Son and the holy ghost
In the garden wet with rain
No guru, no method, no teacher
Just you and I and nature and the holy ghost
In the garden, in the garden, wet with rain
No guru, no method, no teacher
Just you and I and nature
And the father in the garden
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Other reviews
By unspeakable
"Van Morrison achieves a balance reached only a few other times before, such as in the unsurpassable... Astral Weeks or the wonderful Moondance."
"For those wishing to approach Van Morrison's music, this work almost didactically opens up every possibility."
