Van The Man! (Days Like This - Van Morrison)

Member Name: salgirl

Product:	Days Like This - Van Morrison
Date:	12/02/01 (89 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: An great example of the man's talents

Disadvantages: One more upbeat track needed

Just when you think he can't reproduce the good stuff, he goes and does it again.

"Perfect Fit" jump starts you into the album, real finger-snapping-toe-tapping-light-on-the-horns-and -heavy-on-the-catchy-beat stuff. Some very nice, but cleverly simple, guitar playing by Ronnie Johnson. It sets you up for the delights that are to follow.

Slow down to a stroll with "Russian Roulette" and then enjoy a little jazzy jiggle to "Raincheck". Tremendously cool and an immediate personal favourite.

The tempo drops straight back down with some classy piano and sax playing, in the bluesy "You don't know me" - duetted with Shana Morrison. Very pleasing on the ear, surprise surprise.

"No Religion", "Underlying Depression" and "Songwriter" are reminiscent of the Moondance album, plenty of warm fuzzy feelings as you dip your toes in the nostalgia pool.

The title track "Days like this" also follows the Moondance influence, and although his voice is eerily similar you can hear the years and the memories in it's distinctive tone. The orchestration is more polished however than the earlier offering, maybe to it's slight detriment.

Now, "I'll Never Be Free" is another little blues track duet with Shana, but her voice seems to lose strength on this song. Not as good as "You Don't Know Me".

"Melancholia". Not the most outstanding track, but inoffensive just the same.

Thankfully "Ancient Highway" stops the album from just petering off into niceness, with something much more distinctive. This is Van the poet, the songster, the artist and that wonderfully meandering voice he has is perfect for this little beauty. Stop and really listen to the words, they're the magic here.

"In The Afternoon" and we're back to that lazy harmonica that we know and love so
well. Still on the laid-back trail, this finishes off a chilling album.

If I had to describe this as a day, it would be a comfortable and cosy Sunday afternoon inside, with gently misting rains sweeping silently past outside.

Mmmm. Nice.

Summary: