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Amazon Sales Rank: 101
Release Date: 2008-04-01
Publisher: Lost Highway
Type: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1
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On April 1st, Lost Highway will proudly release Keep It Simple, the new album from Van Morrison. Keep It Simple is Morrison's first album of new material since 2005, and the first in several years in which he composed all 11 songs specifically for one album.
In the interim the legendary artist had a year that may be unprecedented for any living artist, having released three separate collections of his hits, with the latest, Still On Top entering the UK charts at #2 and selling platinum, proving the ongoing appetite for his unrivalled work.
His music has always incorporated the widely varied influences he heard and absorbed since his childhood days on the streets of Belfast- long before the bands of his youth and his initial breakthrough with the band he started early on- called "Them."
On Keep It Simple, Morrison honors all those varied influences - Ulster-Scots Celtic, Jazz, Folk, Blues, Country, Soul and Gospel - and an added surprise of a mighty Ukelele -most times melding them all together at once creating his unmistakable signature sound.
In some of these songs Morrison addresses the propaganda of the myth perpetrating rock music world. There is a definite theme that recurs throughout the album, especially in the title track.
In keeping with that idea, Keep It Simple does not boast the big horns or expected string arrangements of some of Morrison's previous work. What it does feature are gorgeous songs rich with emotion, depth and beauty.
Average Rating: 
Review: 2008-08-27
A Pleasant Surprise
Van Morrison has certainly evolved musically in the 41 years since "Brown Eyed Girl" first hit the charts. The "Simple" premise of Morrison's latest offering is quite ironic. Van Morrison composed and sang all eleven tracks, as well as instrumentally performing the saxophone, harmonica and ukulele. His trademark horn section is noticeably missing from the album, but the extra space is filled with a strong set of backup singers.
As Van Morrison's first album in three years, Keep It Simple was a very pleasant surprise. Morrison has held strong to his authentic American Folk, Blues and Jazz influences even at this stage of his career. His vocal performance is still very strong, as are his lyrics and compositions.
When the bluesy intro of "How Can A Poor Boy" opened the album, I was immediately intrigued. Bringing the Blues with a strong Gospel influence, it puts the listener into the Church of Morrison, with the man himself preaching from the pulpit. "School of Hard Knocks" may surprise the listeners as Morrison isn't necessarily associated with "Hard Knocks," but the tracks is one of the album standouts.
Unfortunately, many musicians tend to degrade musically as they progress in age, but this certainly isn't the case with Van Morrison's Keep It Simple. The album feels as if it could have been released in several different decades, and still hold it's appeal. After all, an album has to be solid if it has a song called "That is Entrainment..."
Keep It Simple is a much better album than I had expected from the 62 year-old Van Morrison. His expressive vocals are still intact after many years of performing, and it comes through loud and clear on the album. He closes with "Behind the Ritual," where he reveals that "behind the ritual you'll find the spiritual." Van Morrison has undoubtedly transcended his fifty year ritual and found the spirit of music on Keep It Simple.
Review: 2008-08-25
Simply Van!!
Really, Van Morrison may age, but he just doesn't get old! Classic Van style on these tunes and his voice is strong. He's still got it! I love music, just about any type, but my husband is a "classic rock" kind of guy. I bought this CD for him (mostly), and I have to wrench it from his hand so I can listen once in a while! If you are a Van fan, you must have this.
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Amazon List Price: $13.98
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