Description:
What's Wrong with This Picture? is Van Morrison's inaugural release for the pre-eminent jazz label Blue Note, previously a home to some of the most esteemed names in jazz history, including Art Blakey, Thelonius Monk and Miles Davis. Nothing short of a legend himself, Morrison is more than capable of holding-up in such distinguished company, although, disappointingly, there is something frustratingly prescriptive and spiritually underwhelming blighting his more recent work on the jazz/ blues trajectory. Still, herein lies the inspirational Van Morrison of yore, a wandering poetic soul "Sippin' cider in the shade" on &q
What's Wrong with This Picture? is Van Morrison's inaugural release for the pre-eminent jazz label Blue Note, previously a home to some of the most esteemed names in jazz history, including Art Blakey, Thelonius Monk and Miles Davis. Nothing short of a legend himself, Morrison is more than capable of holding-up in such distinguished company, although, disappointingly, there is something frustratingly prescriptive and spiritually underwhelming blighting his more recent work on the jazz/ blues trajectory. Still, herein lies the inspirational Van Morrison of yore, a wandering poetic soul "Sippin' cider in the shade" on "Somerset" (Van Morrison's words set to the melody and clarinet of Acker Bilk) and revelling in the fresh-aired, vacational contentedness of both the Mediterranean-flavoured "Little Village" (with the pealing mandolin of Johnny Scott) and "Evening in June" with its soft horns and moonlit promenading. Conversely--and despite the audible rarity of hearing the old Grumpmeister cackling in public (as on the title track)--tracks like the celebrity-is-hell fixated "Goldfish Bowl" and "Fame" whiff of churlishness, although the rockabilly of Lightnin' Hopkins' "Stop Drinkin'" is a welcome, foot-tapping distraction. It's not a bad Van Morrison album but one that ought to be underwritten with the caveat that he hardly seems to be over-exerting himself. --Kevin Maidment
... (more)
(less)
Manufacturer: EMI Europe Generic
Release date: 28 April 2010
Number of discs: 1
EAN: 0072435901672 UPC: 072435901672
My tags:
Add tags
Login
