Van Morrison: Into The Music CD Track Listing

A list by checkmate

Van Morrison Into The Music (1979)
Originally Released 1979\nWarner Bros. CD Edition Released June 15, 1990\nRemastered Polydor CD Edition Released December 28, 1999\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Into the Music may not seem like a great Van Morrison record, one of his very best, upon first listen, especially if you're trying to compare it to such masterpieces as Astral Weeks and Moondance, or even Tupelo Honey. Yet this is certainly one of his best records, one that is quietly winning and thoroughly ingratiating, sounding stronger, even irresistible, with each new spin. In a sense, this is the definitive post-classic-era Morrison, since it summarizes all of his attributes while showcasing each at a peak. Musically, this is a little harder and rootsier than its two predecessors, but only a little; this is still remarkably relaxed music, where the charm is in its ease of delivery and compositions. The difference, there's more grit in the performances, more substance in the songs, letting Van the craftsman shine through along with his spirituality and grace. There may be no masterworks on the level of his early-'70s records, but these are deft, subtle songs that are full-bodied songs, unlike their counterparts on this album's immediate predecessors or successors. There's little question that this is not a knockout record, and some could even be excused if they find its charms elusive -- but once you've entered Van's sizeable cult, few records sound as much like Morrison as this, a record that served as culmination of where he was coming from and served as blueprint for where he was going. -- Stephen Thomas Erlewine\n\nAmazon.com essential recording\nThis 1979 release marked both a restoration of Van Morrison's full arsenal of powers as writer, performer, and bandleader after five years of uneven albums and a turning point toward the more interior works that would dominate his next decade. Gone is the lack of direction behind A Period of Transition as well as the commercial pragmatism of the sleeker but shallower Wavelength, replaced by an appealing synthesis of Celtic, gospel, and blues accents that mirror Morrison's own array of earthly joys and spiritual yearnings. On highlights like "Full Force Gale" and "Bright Side of the Road," the sense of revival is palpable, echoed by the lively paean of "You Make Me Feel So Free" and the welcome optimism that brightens "And the Healing Has Begun." Added luster is supplied by a superb studio cast augmenting Morrison's own band, featuring Mark Isham and Pee Wee Ellis in the horn section, with Robin Williamson's evocative Irish whistles and Ry Cooder's guitars. --Sam Sutherland \n\nAmazon.com Product Description\nDigitally Remastered Edition of One of Morrison's Best Loved Albums. It was Universally Praised by Critics at the Time of It's Release, Following on the Renaissance Trail Blazed by "Wavelength". Lead off by the Hit Singles "Bright Side of the Road" and "Full Force Gale", Morrison was reinvigorated and expanded his Touring Ensemble, with Over 12 People on Stage, Including Violinist Scarlet Rivera, who Had Come to Prominence with her Distinctive Playing on Bob Dylan's "Desire" Album. \n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nA new beginning and the end of an era., July 31, 2001\nReviewer: Ian C. Cunningham "MaximumAlt" (OZ, United States)\nWhat an excellent remaster. This was the Cd that came during a time of tranformation for Van. He was searching deeper into his spiritual ideals both personally and lyrically. He was finding changes in his voice and rising to the challenge. This is a classic Van Morrison CD. Also, one that has been underrated in the collective consciousness of his fans both casual and avid. The band is in top form and his gospel soul is pouring full on. I think this is a better CD than "Wavelength" from 1978. But, only a year later in 1980 with "Common One", His music had progressed even further. This is the bridge that linked those changes and it is a wonderful and fulfilling experience to listen to. The bridge from 1970's Into the Mystic from Moondance. To 1979's Into The Music.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nAlmost Astral Weeks, October 6, 2004\nReviewer: Patrick Fleck "believableblue" (Belfast, Northern Ireland)\nThis absolute masterpiece is impressive on so many levels that it's just not funny. As musicians around the globe strive for creative excellence on just ONE album, Van Morrison seems to have created yet another masterpiece in this piece of work. \n\nI'd like you to try a little experiment when you buy this... Give it a listen and choose one song (I normally pick "You Make Me Feel So Free" or "Steppin' Out Queen") and let someone who doesn't know Van listen to it. Ask them to pinoint the decade when this might have been recorded and see what they say. I asked my girlfriend the question a while ago and she thought it was from the 90's. While this may not seem much of a deal, it indicates the sheer quality of the production on this piece of work. Not only does Van possess the most impressive voice in folk, rock, pop, jazz, but he's a genius at work behind the control desk of a studio too! Listen to the crystal clear hi hats on the aforementioned songs (something I usually measure production values with being a drummer myself). Whilst the production quality of studios was improving through the 70's the precision and clarity of the music on this disc (helped no doubt by the remastered version I now own) is WAY beyond what anyone else was doing at the time. More than anything it denies Morrison's music the dated feel that many contemporaries from the 60's, 70's and 80's suffered from badly, and as such it belies any pigeon-holing that also accompanies a dated sound. This is music that you can listen to and just enjoy. \n\nAfter that detour the big question remains... what about the SONGS? Well, this is a collection of dense, complex music which without doubt makes up Vans most upbeat and refreshing album. \n\nEverything about Into the Music reaks quality and enthusiasm, the opener "Bright Side of the Road" being a prime example. While not the best song on the album by a long way, it is a fairly perfect slice of soul/rock/pop that stands as one of Van's best known works. "Full Force Gale" follows suit pretty much, but it is the absolute masterstroke of "Steppin' Out Queen" that gets me every single time. While not the most immediate track on the album, it grows with each listen to become an absolute MONSTER of a song. With it's beautiful winding vocals on the verse to it's stop-start drum beat and violin work, it is the centre-piece of the album for me. \n\nOf the rest of the songs, "You Make Me Feel..." and "...The Healing Has Begun" are the most immediate, but while this is an album you may have to work at to fully appreciate, it is also one of the most lasting and rewarding of Van's works. In my opinion, while it is a completely different style to Astral Weeks (His best work in my opinion) it is verging on that albums status as one of the top-five albums of all time for me. Indeed, Astral would for me be no. 1., blowing the entire Beatles', Stones' etc etc catalogues out of the water (and I love those bands!!). \n\nAs I said before this is an intensely refreshing piece of music which will light up the darkest winter-night party or enrich the most beautiful Summer get-away you've ever had. Great driving music too. I cannot urge anyone reading this enough (who isn't already into Van Morrison) to start listening and prepare for the ride of your life... By far the most ecclectically brilliant writer of the 20th Century, his worst is better than 90% of the music available today. This mightn't be his best, but it is getting right up there. Enjoy.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nVan Morrison's Biggest Smash Hit Album Of The Seventies!, August 26, 2000\nReviewer: Barron Laycock "Labradorman" (Temple, New Hampshire United States)\nThis vintage work by one of the sixties and seventies most talented and versatile singers and songwriters is one for the record books. Not only does it contain his enduringly popular smash hit "into The Mystic", which propelled it up the charts for along stay at the top of the Billboard's best selling albums, but it also showcases Van Morrison's amazing voice and jazz-fusion genius with numbers like "Angeliou", "And The Healing Has Begun", and spellbinding cover of "It's All In The Game". A good friend of mine named Glenn waxes on and on about Van's performance so much each time the subject comes up that I had to mention it, especially since I agree it is a unique performance. \nAll of the songs here are well done, from "Full Force Gale" to "Rolling Hills" to "You Make Me Feel So Free". I always like listening to "You Know What They're Talking About", a song Van segues his way into from "It's All In The Game', and, as usual, Van the man makes the transition both seamless and memorable. This is an absolutely terrific album from Van Morrison in his earlier phase, a man on the cusp of his established style and song repertoire and about to launch into a number of new directions all at once. It is interesting to compare the songs on this particular album with those immediately preceding and following it. Van has continued to grow and experiment through the more than thirty years of active recording he now holds under his buckle. Enjoy!\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nGuaranteed to put a smile on your face!, May 26, 2000\nReviewer: Bill Felps (Kansas City, MO)\nThe music world had pretty much written Van off by the time he released this masterpiece. People thought he was "behind the times". \nGood thing Van didn't listen to them! This CD practically busts at the seems with joy. It feels like warm sunshine hitting your face. Songs like Bright Side of the Road, Full Force Gale, You Make Me Feel So Free, and well the whole album is amazing. If your feeling down nothing beats this album for therapy!\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nMaking a joyful noise unto the lord, May 3, 2000\nReviewer: Brian D. Rubendall (Oakton, VA)\nGod figures heavilly on "Into the Music," but even us great unwashed can enjoy the truly heavenly results. Were all church music this good, scalpers would sell tickets to the pews. Particularly good are the songs "Stepping Out Queen," "And the Healing Has Begun," and "You Know What They're Writing About." When not singing in his gravelly voice, Morrison yelps and growls in a way that has to be heard to be believed. Far and away, this is Mosrrison's best post-"Moondance" recording.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nA truly GREAT album, December 10, 1999\nReviewer: A music fan\nAfter the lackluster Period of Transition and Wavelength, Van reached back to deliver what only he is capable of producing. The last four songs are as strong as any sequence he has recorded - especially When The Healing Has Begun. You can't listen to this while reading, and anyone who uses this as background music should be .... To truly appreciate the power of this record, shut the door, turn out the lights, and let Van do his thing.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nA must-have, February 22, 1999\nReviewer: A music fan\nWhile the first half of the album is quite perky it is the latter half the really makes this album. The final three songs are the most intimate music I have ever heard - I feel like I'm with a lover when I listen to them (and you need to LISTEN to them). Truly outstanding.\n\nHalf.com Details \nContributing artists: David Hayes, Mark Isham, Pee Wee Ellis, Robin Williamson, Ry Cooder, Zakir Hussain \nProducer: Van Morrison \n\nAlbum Notes\nPersonnel: Van Morrison (vocals, guitar, harmonica); Herbie Armstrong (guitar, background vocals); Ry Cooder (slide guitar); Toni Marcus (mandolin violin, viola); Robin Williamson (pennywhistle); Pee Wee Ellis (saxophone); Mark Isham (trumpet, piccolo trumpet); Mark Jordan (keyboards); David Hayes (bass); Peter Van Hooke, Kurt Wortman (drums); Zakir Hussain (tablas); Katie Kissoon (background vocals).\n\nRecorded at Record Plant, Sausalito, California.\n\nAfter his '70s excursions into funk, soul and R&B, Morrison closed out the decade by getting back in touch with his Celtic roots, an idea he would eventually explore further on CELTIC HEARBEAT, with the Chieftains. On INTO THE MUSIC, Morrison keys in on the upbeat, celebratory aspects of traditional Irish music, incorporating them into his own tunes. Consequently, this is one of the most joyous-sounding Morrison records since HIS BAND & THE STREET CHOIR.\nHe had already begun his association with Mark Isham (a key player on Morrison's mellower '80s records) and former James Brown saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis, but Morrison is also assisted here by Ry Cooder (who contributes slide to the aptly named "Full Force Gale") and Robin Williamson of the Incredible String Band, who enhances the aura of Celtic mysticism with his pennywhistle work. This is not to say that INTO THE MUSIC is some Celtic trad workout, just that the folk element is mixed in along with Morrison's usual grab bag of rock, pop, blues and undeniable soul.
This rock cd contains 10 tracks and runs 50min 2sec.
Freedb: 820bb80a
Buy: from Amazon.com

Categories

Latest lists

Van Morrison: Into The Music CD Track Listing

Category

Tags

cyList

Legal