Van Morrison - Keep It Simple

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. Amazon.com

 He just keeps getting better
Van Morrison just keeps getting better with age.
His style, lyrics, and great instrumentation keep him on top of my favorites list. May 4, 2008

 Keep It Simple...Morrisson's best so farVan
Van Morrison is at his best here. This is a nice bluesy cd. It's quickly becoming my favorite. May 4, 2008

 Great Soul / Blues cd from Van the man
I'm bias on this review because I love Van Morrison music to death, I know this cd it's been been getting bad reviews, but I think those critics need to listen to this cd a little more more, I think is great (remember, I'm bias regarding Van's music) but if you like Blues / music with soul and a little inspiration from above, you will like this cd. May 2, 2008

 Back to the Mystic
I had high hopes when Van signed with roots rock label Lost Highway. But after several lackluster records - including the dreadful "What's wrong with this picture" and the dull country record "Pay the devil" - Van has delivered the record I've been imagining. The material and his singing are strong, as are the arrangements and production, and the whole cd has a wonderful organic feel to it. There are a few vague references to "the myth" and "propaganda" (on "What's Wrong...", his paranoid musings made him sound mentally ill), but overall, these are Van's strongest batch of songs in a long while, maybe since "Into the Music." Makes a great companion piece with Dylan's "Modern Times."
May 1, 2008

 Best Van In YEARS!
The Man is in great voice here. Terrific understated arrangements and some really good energy throughout. This is the record I have been hoping Van would make for 20 years. Great stuff. April 30, 2008

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