CD Review

Van Morrison has intentionally avoided being categorized since his 1967 solo debut Blowin’ Your Mind!. However it would be his next five records that would define Morrison as a limitless artist as he flirted openly with blues, jazz, Celtic country, folk, gospel and even classical music. Following two extremely bluesy/jazzy recordings, Down The Road and What’s Wrong With This Picture, Van returns with an extremely varied set with Magic Time.

Van Morrison will turn 60 next month but still he remains one of the most celebrated artists to come out of the British invasion of the swinging sixties. While Magic Time doesn’t deviate from past projects, Morrison’s mid-tempo tunes are still as comforting as an old blanket. Van doesn’t leave any stone unturned on this disc and blues is clearly still in his repertoire as "Evening Train" incorporates fat horns with a driving upbeat shuffle. Horns again make a welcome appearance on the big band influenced "This Love of Mine." With the soft tickling of the ivories a Sinatra-esque groove manifests on "Lonely and Blue." The Irishman returns to his roots on the Celtic flavored "This Lion This Time" before returning to the blue eyed soul that propelled him through the majority of the 90’s on the title track.

While Magic Time is a must for every Van Morrison fan, lovers of The Healing Game, Back On Top and You Win Again will especially cherish this new collection.