Product Description

'Keep It Simple' is the thirty third studio album from legendary singer songwriter Van Morrison and his first to feature all original material since 1999's 'Back On Top'. Producedby himself the album sees Morrison continue with the uniqueblend of soul, blues, jazz and folk that has earned him worldwide appeal.

Track Listing

1. How Can A Poor Boy?
2. School Of Hard Knocks
3. That's Entrainment
4. Don't Go To Nightclubs Anymore
5. Lover Come Back
6. Keep It Simple
7. End Of The Land
8. Song Of Home
9. No Thing
10. Soul
11. Behind The Ritual

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1334 in Music
• Released on: 2008-03-17
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 49 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Keep It Simple is Van Morrison's 35th album. Representing his first new material since 2005, it’s also the first Van LP in a while for which he has acted as composer, arranger, lyricist and multi-instrumentalist (sax, harmonica, ukelele) as well as specifically composing all 11 songs for the one project. The album wears its title well as the blues number "How Can a Poor Boy" kicks things off in sparse but compelling style. The arrangements stay elegant and subtle throughout, leaving space for Morisson’s chief weapon--his voice. At 63 he sounds as peerless as ever, even if his lyrical outlook is less mystical and more sober than before (see songs like "Don't Go to Nightclubs Anymore"). But when you least expect it, hints of his former lyrical powers return. "Into the Mystic" and the denouement "Behind the Ritual" are reminiscent of some of his best work, and while Keep It Simple cannot be compared to the visceral majesty and fanciful meanderings of Astral Weeks, it’s one of his most enjoyable outings for a while. --Danny McKenna

About the Artist
Born in Belfast, Van Morrison's father was an avid collector of American blues and jazz records. Morrison grew up listening to Amercian music like Leadbelly, Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGee, John Lee Hooker, Mahalia Jackson, and Lightnin' Hopkins. He grew up surrounded by every kind of American musical influence. From the age of 13, he was adept at playing guitar, sax and harmonica and played with a series of local showbands along with Skiffle and Rock 'n' Roll groups, and Brian Rossi at the Plaza Ballroom. His early love of music, for the music, has certainly paid off. Morrison's music continues to have that authentic American Blues, Jazz and melodic Folk sound that he loved and listened to in his childhood, long before those early showbands and well before his initial 1964 (Hit Records) with his band called Them. It's a little recognized yet open secret that Van Morrison was, in fact, the band Them. In recognition of his unique position as one of the most important songwriters of the past century, Van Morrison was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, by the late great Ray Charles, in New York City in June 2003. Additionally, he was honored, in 2007, for his musical contribution to films. Presented by Al Pacino, this award highlights the depth and breadth of his compositions, as used by some of the most notable directors in the Motion Picture Industry today.

Van Morrison has journeyed far and wide since his early days in Belfast, but has invariably come back to the philosophy summed up in the title of this extraordinary new record. As Keep It Simple is released, keeping true to the music, and arguably the new Hardest Working man in Showbusiness, Morrison consistently continues a busy schedule of concerts playing to packed theatres across Europe, Canada and the United States.

Customer Reviews

Still The Man
Some Van Morrison albums take some time to get into but this one hits the spot straight from the off. As a long time fan, it is hard to place this album against his impressive back catalogue, will take living with it for awhile but I can't see any Van lovers being disappointed as it includes some great simple Celtic Soul and Blues music, featuring guitar, harp, organ, banjo, fiddle, accordion, sax, etc and some beautiful singing. Lover Come Back is another great love song, Behind The Ritual another mystical atmospheric classic, Keep It Simple something of a manifesto and all the other songs add up to a quality album. Remember, Van knows.

VAN THE MAN STILL PRODUCING TIMELESS MUSIC
Very simple review this..absolutely fantastic set from a legend,one of the best singer-songwriters in the history of popular music,jazz and blues.Beautifully produced,great band throughout and Van on absolutely top form....5 stars and then some,among albums of the year surely.

"ALMOST VANTASTIC"
THIS ALBUM IS BACK TO THE VAN MORRISON I LIKE. THE VOCALS ARE GREAT
YES HE MOANS AND GROANS, HOWEVER, I PAY FOR THE MUSIC AND THE LYRICS ARE
FIRST CLASS. THE OUTSTANDING TRACKS FOR ME ARE "KEEP IT SIMPLE", "SONG OF HOME" AND "BEHIND THE RITUAL" HERE'S TO THE NEXT ONE