Van Morrison Explains It All for You

nationalreview.com ^ | 5/19/2021 | Armond White

[rktman]

Van Morrison’s new three-LP album Latest Record Project, Volume 1 is so radical — so out of fashion, it’s ahead of fashion — that it also recalls the most widely celebrated album from exactly 40 years ago: The Clash’s punk-reggae-rap lollapalooza, their triple LP Sandinista!

The Clash’s overt political pop was dedicated to peer-pressure attitudes that define rock-music hipness. Morrison, at age 75, is no longer considered “hip,” but Latest Record Project, Volume 1 proves bolder than Sandinista! because Morrison’s emotional-political drive dares oppose genuine political conformity, the COVID lockdowns of the past year.

Throughout 28 tracks, Morrison effectively challenges the current junta (politicians across the globe having usurped social power thanks to COVID and by other unmentionable means). It’s an expansive album but consistently focused on the topsy-turvy political non-thinking that has changed Millennial life. Morrison knows that the emotional turmoil we’ve suffered over the past year, through media compliance and pseudo “science,” requires ethical and aesthetic reassessment. And like Michael Jackson’s inspiring “Man in the Mirror,” Morrison starts with himself.

Morrison’s title song begins simply: A soulful organ reveals “Not something that I used to do / Not something that you’re used to.” Rather than Morrison’s usual soul-pop, a female chorus’s “Sha-la-la-la” conveys a sense of humor; Morrison is not taking himself overly seriously. Transcending the false piety of Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young, borrowing a bit of Morrissey’s agitator wit, he sings “in the present.” He means both right now and, hopefully, what a sane future will look back on with admiration.

[rktman]

Haven't listened yet but I understand the message. Looks like some interesting titles. Thanks Van and Eric Clapton for your messages.

[rktman]

Oh, and I realize some won’t look because, nationalreview.......

[1Old Pro]

Transcending the false piety of Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young

Well that's a good start. But is the music any good?

[mylife]

van is da man

[Mr Ramsbotham]

When music criticism is more artful and interesting than the music it’s criticizing, you know something’s not quite right.

[Jane Long]

When the lefty media is doing their level best to smear Van (and, ALL who question the safety of these experimental shots, and what is going on w/DS), you know he’s right on target.....

Van Morrison - Duper’s Delight (Official Audio)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fqRHtBi0Rs

Van Morrison - Why Are You On Facebook? (Official Audio)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPn2zH_8OmY

Van Morrison - They Own The Media (Official Audio)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3Zg023J-ok

And, the rest of this album....

https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/latestrecordprojectvol1

[Jane Long]

When music criticism is more artful and interesting than the music it’s criticizing, you know something’s not quite right.

---

Not sure about ‘artful’, but....definitely plentiful.

I just posted similar ;-)

[blueunicorn6]

Morrison is an artist.

[dadfly]

gonna get this. is it on vinyl?

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

It’s pretty good IMHO.

[Boogieman]

It’s Van Morrison, man. Even when he tried to make an intentionally bad record to fulfill his contract with Bang! Records, it still turned out better than most of the albums other people were putting out :)

[left that other site]

I just ordered it! :-)

[Michael.SF.]

Big Morrison fan here (16 albums or discs, five live shows attended). His more recent releases (last ten years) have had some good stuff and some weak stuff. He has never been political in the past. I Have heard some stuff from this project and would say his best music is behind him.

[rktman]

Thanks! 🎸😉

[FreedomPoster]

I listened to one of the tracks on YouTube, and it was solid work, good stuff.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Van fan from long ago.

[billyboy15]

“But is the music any good?”

If you like it it’s good, if you don’t like it it’s not.

Opinions on music are purely subjective. For instance I think most everything after January 1964 is crap.

[Aevery_Freeman]

Yes! Thank God For The Blues

[sanjuanbob]

Thanks for the links. Have been a fan since the 60’s.
https://youtu.be/MRyu4NGL3rw

PS..just checked tracking and my CDs will be here tomorrow.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Opinions on music are purely subjective. For instance I think most everything after January 1964 is crap.

I'm the same way, only it's more like 1590. But ... and this is a very big but (think Michelle Obama) ... I think all music has some value, and that goes especially for crappy music.