Depth-charge, Machine-gun and Other Vocals
The fashion for established stars to eventually present a duets
and/or singing the standards album is a mixed bag, but this former choice from
Van Morrison is excellent. The reasons are straightforward: it is Van, the
supporting guests are perfect compliments and the songs are Morrison’s own
[rather than those ‘standards’] and taken largely from his 80s/90s back catalogue
so not weighed down by over-familiarity and expectation.
Opener Some Peace of
Mind is rather special in that Morrison’s partner here is the late Bobby Womack. This is an upbeat, soulful number and both vocals are matched in and by
that musical nirvana here on earth and wherever Womack now sings. Next, If I Ever Needed Someone, is sung with
Mavis Staples, and she, like Bobby, has the raspy vocal that suits Morrison’s own
gruff inclinations, the song a gospel-soul perfect fit. George Benson sings and
plays in the third, Higher Than the World,
and this is another soulful groove with saxophone and organ and other horns
adding the funk that Morrison so intuitively brings. Fourth is Wild Honey and his sweet partner here is
Joss Stone on a sweet ballad, somewhat saccharine but all the more a soothing
buzz for that. I won’t plot through all – but probably find myself mentioning
most – yet have to refer to fifth Whatever
Happened to PJ Proby as his guest singer PJ Proby provides the still
significant answer.
Seventh is The Eternal
Kansas City and here Morrison is joined by the relative newcomer but huge
man and voice of Gregory Porter, and by now, as exemplified by this jazzy
celebration, it is clear how much fun the oft cited as miserable Morrison is
having with his dueting friends. Eighth is the beautiful Streets of Arklow and Mick Hucknall provides a suitably sensitive
accompaniment to its atmospheric production, Morrison providing the emotively
meandering vocal that is his trademark.
Tenth Get on With the
Show is a rock’n’roll gem with Georgie Fame providing a tight vocal
mirroring, and I had the great pleasure of seeing him play with Morrison many,
many years ago. Eleventh Rough God Goes
Riding is stunning for the stunning accompaniment of Morrison’s daughter
Shana. Twelfth Fire in the Belly
continues the parade of talent: Stevie Winwood contributing what one would
expect - funk and groove and soulful voice.
It wouldn’t seem possible that it could get better, and
perhaps that is true, but the perfection can be sustained with thirteenth Born to Sing as Van is joined by the
unmistakable vocal depth-charge of Chris Farlowe. Maybe the biggest surprise is
the penultimate Real Real Gone where
guest Michael Bublé contributes a sweetly perfect pop vocal. The album closes
on another superb seamless partnership with Taj Mahal joining on How
Can a Poor Boy, the blues oozing from their shared musical experiences,
Morrison indulging that machine-gun vocal scatting of his that is so utterly
cool.
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