Van Morrison was a serious man. From an unpredictable, brooding Shakespearean romantic poet; It’s Morrison. His relationship with the press, critics and authorities has been troubled since the beginning of his career and it came with his anti-Covid campaign albums. Latest Registration Scheme, Volume 1 And What is it going to take? Definitely no progress. On his latest album Moving on a skiffle Morrison shows a very different side of himself. However, that page takes an hour and a half, which is a very good thing.

The word ‘skiffle’ in the album title needs some explanation. This style of music originated in the United Kingdom in the 1950s and is a potpourri of traditional American folk, blues, jazz and country music. It was mainly played by working-class youth who had no access to musical education or could afford musical instruments. Skiffle lends itself very well to playing instruments made at home from everyday items such as washboards, brooms and chests. The short craze was destroyed by rock and roll in the early 1960s. One of the most popular English skiffle groups of the time was The Quarrymen, who would later rename themselves The Beatles.

Van Morrison grew up on the streets of Belfast in the 1950s, often hanging out after school at the popular Atlantic Records record store listening to folk, blues, jazz and the latest trend: skiffle. Off Moving on a skiffle So Van Morrison travels back in time to his happy and carefree childhood.

The album consists of 23 songs that are over an hour and a half long. All the songs are written by musicians from the distant past or labeled as ‘traditional’. It’s one thing that a songwriter as talented as Morrison didn’t pick up the pen himself. On the other hand, considering the poor state of his writing skills on his previous two albums, Morrison would do well to refrain from writing this time around.

Songs on that day Moving on a skiffle are chosen based on atmosphere and memory, not content. As a result, the album has little direction and feels like a skiffle compilation album sung mainly by one person. Monopoly is the result. After three-quarters of an hour, you have no idea which track you’re listening to and get frustrated wondering if you’ve accidentally hit repeat. With a few pleasant exceptions, these are all from the same sheet and suit. Lack of change of clothes also takes a toll on your nerves.

One of the pleasant exceptions Green Rock RoadKeeps hands on the best path Moving on a skiffle. With a thrilling and intelligent performance and majestic singing by Morrison, this song sounds like it was recorded in his prime Astral weeks Since 1968. Further Worried Man Blues For example, it’s fascinating to hear where the Beatles got their inspiration I saw here standing there. Speaking of inspiration: This loving light of mine Version of the gospel song adapted by Morrison This little light of mine. A song often performed as a cover for Elvis Presley during concerts, most recently by Bruce Springsteen.

All in all, there’s quite a bit to enjoy Moving on a skiffle. It’s a lot to browse through 23 songs to find something catchy, and not everyone has that patience. Moving on a skiffle A musical photo album of Morrison’s youth, with no writing, not even a single sentence. Because of this, the album would have been enough with half the photos. But it goes: You can’t have too many photos, as long as they’re your own. At least it keeps Morrison from writing anti-authority songs. And that’s worth something.