By Danielle Smith
Executive Arts Editor
Legendary rock artist Van Morrison reminisces on old times creating a nostalgic vibe throughout his soothing new album, “Keep Me Singing.”
Morrison stayed true to his rock and roll roots, but also incorporated a slightly relaxing tone to his latest album. Although the collection of thirteen songs are cohesive and feature a variety of instruments that complement Morrison’s robust voice, the slow beat becomes repetitive, with only a handful of songs that differentiate themselves from the others.
“Keep Me Singing” is the Irish rock artist’s 36th studio album and his first collection of new songs released in four years. The six-time Grammy Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee impressed fans with this newest addition to his extensive collection of music.
Read the Rolling Stone’s review of Van Morrison’s album here.
Morrison self-produced “Keep Me Singing” which features 12 original songs written and performed by Morrison. The remaining song, “Share Your Love With Me,” which has also been covered by artists including Aretha Franklin and Kenny Rogers, was originally written by Alfred Baggs and Don Robey. Various artists including Don Black are featured throughout the album.
Each song featured in “Keep Me Singing” fades to near silence at the end, creating a seamless transition from one track to the next. The mellow feeling that is created through the use of a slow tempo is also carried throughout each song, further producing a pleasing cohesive sound.
Morrison paid tribute to his Rock and Roll roots by incorporating instruments including keyboard, guitar, bass and drums, while also introducing a new sound using instruments including saxophone, trumpet and harmonica. The layered melody created by the variety of instruments is unique to “Keep Me Singing,” creating an intriguing tune.
At the age of 71, Morrison’s voice is surprisingly powerful and husky. In multiple songs including “Let it Rhyme” and “Holy Guardian Angel,” he is accompanied by background singers that balance out his deep voice with higher tones. The rich vocals do not overpower the instrumentals, but rather the two work successfully together.
Unfortunately, “Keep Me Singing” falls short in offering a variety of sounds to the listener, with a repetitive use of the same instruments and a slow beat that carries throughout the entirety of the album. Although the mellow tempo is soothing, after the first couple of tracks it becomes slightly dreary to listen to.
Despite the repetitiveness of the majority of the songs, a certain few manage to stand out, including the album’s closing track, “Caledonia Swing,” which is entirely instrumental, featuring Morrison on piano and saxophone. “Caledonia Swing” is one of the more upbeat tracks, producing a celebratory effect that is fitting as the closing track to the album.
Overall, featuring an exceptional balance of instrumental solos and vocal talent, “Keep Me Singing” is an impressive addition to Morrison’s legacy. The soothing album consists of 13 outstanding tracks that although become slightly monotonous when listened to in sequence, each stand alone as individually superb rock songs.
Listen to “Keep Me Singing” on Spotify for free here.
“Keep Me Singing” is available for purchase on iTunes for $9.99. It is also available on Amazon as a CD for $11.34 or vinyl record for $23.99.
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