Review: Van Morrison Accentuates the Positive on Yet Another New Release

Van Morrison
Accentuate the Positive
(Virgin)
4 out of 5 stars

Even the most dedicated Van Morrison fan likely has problems keeping up with the legendary Irish singer/songwriter’s non-stop, late-career output. And while he’s recorded what can best be described as inconsistent, some may say disappointing, releases in the past five years, his earlier 2023 Skiffle set found him sounding remarkably vibrant and lively. Now pushing 80, Morrison returns with another keeper.

This one, somewhere around his 45th studio set (not including compilations, live albums, and Them-fronting ’60s work) finds the troubadour reaching back to his rock and roll/rockabilly roots with 19 covers of classics, obscurities, and should-have-been hits from decades prior. Like the peppy Skiffle, it thankfully avoids the clunky, curmudgeonly, socio-political diatribes (“Why Are You On Facebook?,” “Sometimes It’s Just Blah Blah Blah”) that marred his COVID years output.

The disc’s title also implies that Morrison is promoting an upbeat outlook and his energetic, spirited work on this hour-long collection confirms that. There’s a charismatic exuberance in his voice few would expect from someone half his age and nearly six-decade history in music. 

Start anywhere to enjoy the sheer delight Morrison projects when rollicking through worn-out warhorses like Fats Domino’s “Blueberry Hill,” The Everly Brothers’ “When Will I Be Loved” or Little Richard’s “Lucille,” the latter with assistance from Taj Mahal. Perhaps you think no one could find anything new to add to the hundreds of versions of these standards already in existence. But Van interprets them with the giddiness of someone who might never have heard them. He charges into Chuck Berry’s “Bye Bye Johnny” (a follow-up and rip on his own “Johnny B. Goode”) with more vitality than even the Stones did back in ’64 and brings playful doo-wop to Chick Willis’ “Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes.” Jeff Beck stops by for one of his final recorded performances guesting on a rowdy “Lonesome Train,” best known through Johnny Burnette’s 1956 recording.

Louis Jordan’s “I Want a Roof Over My Head,” pulses as the band swings jazzy, brassy grooves before digging into a simmering ska vibe on the following “Problems,” a lesser-known but charming Everly Brothers’ tune. Van expounds on his love of country with a sprint through Don Gibson’s sprightly “Sea of Heartbreak” and torches Johnny Kidd and the Pirates’ classic “Shakin’ All Over” with the verve and vigor you might expect from him 50 years ago.

That’s a sampling of what to expect. Morrison and his always top-shelf musicians knock out these songs as if they’re hanging around the studio, having a party playing music they love without knowing tapes are running.

Accentuate the positive? Absolutely. At this rate, Morrison seems like he’ll never retire.

Photo by Joe Maher/Getty Images