Product Description

After his '70s excursions into funk, soul and R&B, Morrisonclosed out the decade by getting back in touch with his Celtic roots, an idea he would eventually explore further on CELTIC HEARBEAT, with the Chieftains. On INTO THE MUSIC, Morrison keys in on the upbeat, celebratory aspects of traditional Irish music, incorporating them into his own tunes. Consequently, this is one of the most joyous-sounding Morrison records since HIS BAND & THE STREET CHOIR.
He had already begun his association with Mark Isham (a key player on Morrison's mellower '80s records) and former James Brown saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis, but Morrison is also assisted here by Ry Cooder (who contributes slide to the aptly named "Full Force Gale") and Robin Williamson of the Incredible String Band, who enhances the aura of Celtic mysticism with his pennywhistle work. This is not to say that INTO THE MUSIC is some Celtic trad workout, just that the folk element is mixed in alongwith Morrison's usual grab bag of rock, pop, blues and undeniable soul.

Track Listing

1. Bright Side Of The Road
2. Full Force Gale
3. And The Healing Has Begun
4. Steppin' Out Queen
5. Troubadors
6. Rolling Hills
7. You Make Me Feel So Free
8. Angelou
9. It's All In The Game
10. You Know What They're Writing About

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28366 in Music
• Released on: 1998-04-06
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered

Customer Reviews

Not my own cup of tea, but lots of people love this album
After Wavelength was hammered by the press for being too American sounding, even though it was a great improvement on the previous album, Van possibly felt a bit confused-After all, how many artists can you say had consistently given a different sound to almost every one of their first ten albums? It's probably little wonder then, that this great artist came to indulge in having his own say about them, on his records. Almost every album from this one onwards includes one track devoted to saying his bit about the souless music industry and/or the press, and how he's misunderstood and misrepresented. The one here is You Know What They're Writing About, and musically it's fine, but like the others on later albums, it is really a self pitying whinge, and he'd have been far better leaving them off the albums. But Van is a stubborn man. It's a side that has actually damaged his reputation and just poured fuel on the rumour that he is a difficult man to work with or live with. Most of his fans of course forgive him, but it really did become a bit of a bore (as did most of his albums after the 1980s).

This album leaves the American MOR feel well alone and instead gives us a sort of rag bag of different songs, some upbeat and uplifting, some mellow and thoughtful, a couple in his increasingly deep and mystical style, as well as one outright gospel song, delivered, as he does, with no embarassment at all. This is actually one of the very good and positive things about this unusually complex man of pop. He is so confident of his own musicality, that he if he thinks a thing works, he will use it, regardless of its theme, its message, whether it has a dodgy lyric or sentiment in it. It is a very unusual, and refreshing quality in big rock or pop stars. He is a true individual, much more than most, and follows no one but himself. I mean, how many other big time artists could you name who'd have the bottle to get up on Top of the Pops and belt out a very overtly (Christian) gospel number with Cliff? Like it or not, (I hated the song) I thought it showed immense class and individuality. This album has that same overtly religious feel to it in places, and you just sense he makes no apologies at all for it. I do prefer it though when he is being more obliquely spiritual, a style he has made his name with.

can't stop playing it
My first introduction to Van was probably Brown Eyed Girl - but I was pretty young then and didn't even care or know who he was. At the age of about 18 I heard Beautiful Vision - and was hooked. Gradually I bought up albums over the years. Avalon Sunset was my favourite for a while - but I think that Into The Music has now taken that position. I got the CD over 2 years ago but probably only listened to it in the car - a bad move. It is not really made for driving to. You need to be in a darkened room - no distractions - volume high and let it rip. I got it out 3 weks ago and can't stop playing it - especially the last 4 tracks - The best album ever ? Probably

You make me feel so free...
Van Morrison devotees are usually split between lovers of his classic R&B records like Moondance and Tupelo Honey and his more languid, spiritual recordings like Astral Weeks. For me this album manages somehow to marry the two. That's why I think it's easily his best work. Listening to this album is like being in the middle of a gospel choir, with it's soaring harmonies and beautiful words of spiritual redemption it just carries you away. This is Van bringing it all back home. Everything that's ever moved him in life, love, religion, nature, poetry, the ancients, and of course his music. This album is a celebration of all of these things and the old codger is loving every minute of it.

The opening song hits you like a fist, as Van belts out a classic song about the joy of life and love '..we'll be lovers once again on the Bright Side Of The Road.'. He swiftly follows this with an equally stirring song about spiritual renewal, '...like a Full Force Gale, I was lifted up again by the Lord.'. Steppin' out Queen is a fascinating number. A true original, the arrangement is unlike anything I've ever heard before yet it's no natural to the ear and one of my all time favourite songs. Only a genius could have written it. Next up it's Troubadours followed by 'Rolling Hills', songs about the ancient troubadours and the joy of a simple life. From this point on is where he really hits his stride. He sets a cracking pace with 'You make me feel so free', a song about his love of music, '...And so I yearn for mistress calling me, that's the muse, that's the muse'. Followed by the beautiful, tortuous Angelou, you can almost see the veins bulging in his neck as he reaches for the words '..will you be my baby', building slowly up into the most exquisite crescendo. Then he renews his love of music with And the healing has begun, '...When you hear the music ringin' in your soul, and you feel it in your heart and it grows and grows' as he whoops and hollers his joy at the simple act of singing and you find yourself joining in. For me it could have ended there and it would have been perfect but 'It's all in the game/You know what they're writing about' is a gentle soulful combination that eases you gently back to earth from the giddy heights of the previous song. Sheer bliss.

This isn't music, this is witchcraft.