Van Morrison
No Guru, No Method, No Teacher

THE REVIEW

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