Keep It Simple

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

The Man returns. And after over 40 years of telling us that it ain't why, it just is, who are we to argue as to whether it's good or bad? But the really good news is that after his somewhat dodgy foray into country with Pay The Devil, he's really back on top. What's more he even sounds...cheerful. Which is strange, because Keep It Simple is a mainly bluesy affair. He's returned to the usual mixture of autobiographical fare (School Of Hard Knocks) and the kind of folky r 'n' b that may be chock-full of lyrical cliche (cf: the punningly-titled That's Entrainment) but is always lifted by a voice that really hasn't deteriorated much in the last twenty years. Let's face it: the blues wouldn't be the blues without it's lyrical template. It's the way it's sung that matters, and Van is still peerless in this respect.

But Keep It Simple also seems to have a certain amount of atonement for past sins about it. For every song like School Of Hard Knocks where he tells us, once more, how he was left 'high and dry' by colleagues, there's Don't Go To Nightclubs Anymore. Here he seems to be revealing his renouncement of the bottle; telling us that he doesn't hang around with his friends 'Mose' (Allison, one presumes) and 'Mr Clive' (Georgie Fame?) and that he doesn't consider himself a 'legend in my own mind'. Yes, this seems to be a sober, happier ,healthier Van than we've seen in a long while.

From this point on it's all terrain that'll make the seasoned Van-watcher happy, and will welcome in anybody who wonders why such a legendary sourpusss maintains such a standing. End Of The Land and Song Of Home almost go so far as to resurrect the spirit of the country-inflected folk/soul of Van's golden period. In fact throughout Morrison references his older work; singing of wavelengths, harbour lights, foghorns and all the things that gave his muse the special bucolic, mystical vibe that he made all his own. The closing Behind The Ritual delivers the requisite spiritual soul-searching, though when he reaches the point of wordless expression and starts going "blah, blah, blah" it's not quite Listen To the Lion. The supporting cast acquit themselves admirably as well. Of special note is the steel guitar of Cindy Cashdollar (of Asleep At The Wheel). The only downside is that the backing vocals are a trifle over-egged at times.

But on the whole this is a lovely welcome back to a man who's been increasingly offhand in his output of late. It may look simple, but only a master like Van could pull this off. --Chris Jones

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The 2008 release of Keep It Simple is Van Morrison's 35th album. It is his first album of new material since 2005, and the first in several years in which he Composed all 11 songs specifically for one album.

On Keep It Simple , Morrison wears all the "hats" as Composer, Arranger, Lyricist and proves himself once again an astute and accomplished Producer, artfully choosing in this recording to keep all the vocals and instruments on this album in their organic form/ first takes.

Keep It Simple features Morrison on the Sax, Harmonica and a special highlight throughout is his integration of uniquely composed arrangements on the Ukelele.

Accordingly, Keep It Simple honors All of Morrison's varied influences as it is packed full of "Ulster-Scots Celtic" melodies mixed with Soul, Jazz, Blues, Folk, Country, and Gospel - most times melding them all together once again establishing his unmistakable signature sound.

This record does not boast the big horns of some of Morrison's previous work. But, don't let the title fool you. Keep it Simple is Everything but Simple - it is a Multi-faceted record filled with mystical layers of sound -start to finish -with Songs from the Soul and gorgeous melodies, rich with emotion, depth and beauty. -truly a record that has something for everyone.

Lost Highway will proudly release Keep It Simple, the new album from Van Morrison. Keep It Simple is Morrison's first album of new material since 2005, and the first in several years in which he composed all 11 songs specifically for one album.

In the interim the legendary artist had a year that may be unprecedented for any living artist, having released three separate collections of his hits, with the latest, Still On Top entering the UK charts at #2 and selling platinum, proving the ongoing appetite for his unrivalled work.

His music has always incorporated the widely varied influences he heard and absorbed since his childhood days on the streets of Belfast- long before the bands of his youth and his initial breakthrough with the band he started early on- called "Them."

On Keep It Simple, Morrison honors all those varied influences - Ulster-Scots Celtic, Jazz, Folk, Blues, Country, Soul and Gospel - and an added surprise of a mighty Ukelele -most times melding them all together at once creating his unmistakable signature sound.

In some of these songs Morrison addresses the propaganda of the myth perpetrating rock music world. There is a definite theme that recurs throughout the album, especially in the title track.

In keeping with that idea, Keep It Simple does not boast the big horns or expected string arrangements of some of Morrison's previous work. What it does feature are gorgeous songs rich with emotion, depth and beauty.

Born in Belfast, Van Morrison's father was an avid collector of American blues and jazz records. Morrison grew up listening to Amercian music like Leadbelly, Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGee, John Lee Hooker, Mahalia Jackson, and Lightnin' Hopkins. He grew up surrounded by every kind of American musical influence. From the age of 13, he was adept at playing guitar, sax and harmonica and played with a series of local showbands along with Skiffle and Rock 'n' Roll groups, and Brian Rossi at the Plaza Ballroom. His early love of music, for the music, has certainly paid off. Morrison's music continues to have that authentic American Blues, Jazz and melodic Folk sound that he loved and listened to in his childhood, long before those early showbands and well before his initial 1964 (Hit Records) with his band called Them. It's a little recognized yet open secret that Van Morrison was, in fact, the band Them. In recognition of his unique position as one of the most important songwriters of the past century, Van Morrison was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, by the late great Ray Charles, in New York City in June 2003. Additionally, he was honored, in 2007, for his musical contribution to films. Presented by Al Pacino, this award highlights the depth and breadth of his compositions, as used by some of the most notable directors in the Motion Picture Industry today.

Van Morrison has journeyed far and wide since his early days in Belfast, but has invariably come back to the philosophy summed up in the title of this extraordinary new record. As Keep It Simple is released, keeping true to the music, and arguably the new Hardest Working man in Showbusiness, Morrison consistently continues a busy schedule of concerts playing to packed theatres across Europe, Canada and the United States.