Album Review: Van Morrison, Remembering Now

Sometimes Van delivers more when he doesn’t try so hard, and thus it is with this album of top-notch new creations. These songs show The Man engaging in some contented reflection and, in his 80th year, totally comfortable with his muse.

The collection kicks off with ‘Down To Joy’ when he saunters in over a casual loping rhythm with his vocals smooth as silk, a euphoric melody, a soulful feel and brass blasts to go. ‘Back To Writing Love Songs’ is another contented jaunt, with Van’s melodic mojo in full working order, handsomely decked out with his guitar and strings by Fiachra Trench.

On the soulfully determined ‘Haven’t Lost My Sense of Wonder’,Van’s evocative vocals come with delicious organ fills from Richard Dunn, gospel-lite backing vocals à la Leonard Cohen, and Van’s peace of mind fully intact as he takes stock while looking back. ‘Cutting Corners’ is a mid-paced gem underscoring his uncertainty about life and love with a tasty sax solo, and for ‘Stomping Ground’, he takes a nostalgic stroll around the Belfast places that nurtured him.

The doughty epic ‘When The Rains Came’ startles initially, with doomy drumbeats and subtle organ work, before we’re treated to a song of resilience that evokes ‘And It Stoned Me’ and ‘Brown-Eyed Girl’.

All in all, Remembering Now sounds like a rejuvenated Van taking a practical, optimistic look at life, while also seeming fully at ease with his past. When push comes to shove, not everybody can do that, and those who do rarely express it with the Belfast man’s elan.

8.5/10

Out now