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Saint Dominic's Preview
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Average customer review:
Track Listing
- Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)
- Gypsy
- I Will Be There
- Listen To The Lion
- Saint Dominic's Preview
- Redwood Tree
- Almost Independence Day
- Redwood Tree
- Brandy
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #521577 in Music
- Released on: 2009-02-23
- Number of discs: 1
- Running time: 20 minutes
Customer Reviews
Delayed Remaster...
In January of 2008 the first 7 titles of Van Morrison's extensive remastered reissues began - followed by 8 more in late June 2008/early July. Here in the UK, these issues came with inlays that advertised the forthcoming titles for phase 3 and 4 - seven more releases would follow in September 2008 - with the last 8 in January 2009 (30 in total).
The 3rd phase (in which 1972's "Saint Dominic's Preview" was scheduled) was then delayed on some databases to November 2008 - but it now looks as if they won't arrive until February 2009 - next year.
This review is by way of notice to that affect - and a warning to prospective buyers - anyone advertising these remastered titles for sale at inflated prices BEFORE their release date should be avoided.
What is happening?
Has anyone got any idea when this CD is going to be released? One track listing I have read recently list both 'Brandy' and an alternate version of 'Independence Day' as bonus tracks, but still no word as to the release date. Have they lost the master tapes?
4½ stars. A terrific follow-up to Morrison's best record
"Saint Dominic's Preview" was the 1972 follow-up to the magnificent "Tupelo Honey", a nuanced and multi-facetted album which moves effortlessly between soul, folk, and jubilant rhythm and blues. And Van Morrison himself sounds like he is having fun, too, singing the nonsensical "la-la-la" bridges on the swinging, piano-driven "Gypsy" without a hint of sarcasm!
The songs are superbly arranged, from the jazzy swagger of the three-minute "I Will Be There" to the mystical ten-minute journey "Almost Independence Day". The title track is a grand, soulful, almost gospel-like tune with some excellent, soulful lead guitar playing by former baseball player and current record producer Doug Messenger. And "Redwood Tree" is a perfect example of Morrison's unmatched ability to mix together a handful of different styles and genres and come up with something utterly personal, completely unique, and wonderfully catchy!
Okay, so the eleven-minute "Listen To The Lion" in addition to the ten-minute "Almost Independence Day" may be a bit much, but this is still a terrific, original and utterly appealing album from one of Van Morrison's best periods. It is perhaps not quite as accessible as, say, "Tupelo Honey" or some of his best latter-day records, but fans will not be disappointed. "Saint Dominic's Preview" is vintage Van Morrison.
