Keep It Simple

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Editorial reviews

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

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Customer reviews

review by: Mister Eff date: 2008-09-06 rating:
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.

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review by: pete date: 2008-06-23 rating:
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.

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review by: RONNIE date: 2008-06-18 rating:
"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

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review by: date: 2008-05-07 rating:
Where's The Muse?
Oh dear. Another mediocre album. Van can knock album's like this out with his eyes closed. What happened to the creative muse? The lyrics are banal and it's a real plodder. Contains yet more 'hard done by' songs which are tiresome. Guess I'll just have to keep listening to classic Van - St Dominic's, Moondance, Tupelo Honey and, yes, Hard Nose The Highway.


review by: Magic Rat date: 2008-04-24 rating:
Understated and consistent
While I wouldn't say this is a "return to form", as is always applied to reasonably appealing albums by old stagers, I would say that it has substantially more to recommend it than "Pay The Devil" and much of "Magic Time". All the cuts are solid and while lyrically treading the same old paths, the delivery (as always) and the musicianship raise them above the ordinary. There is a lovely effortlessness on this album. Yes, I know old Van can trot tunes like these out in his sleep, but somehow there is a bit more verve and vigour about this collection. Stylistically he's too old to change now, but what the heck.

I have to disagree with a previous reviewer and say that "Behind The Ritual" is a captivating cut, as is "Soul" and "End Of The Land". "Don't Go To Nightclubs Any More" is a great slow burning blues, and "That's Entrainment" has the obligatory Morrison moaning about things in general.

I like this album a lot, it grows with each play and is not destined for a few plays then nothing. It is a laster, I think.

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