Van Morrison - Common One

Van Morrison was working through one of his greatest -- yet least appreciated -- creative periods when he made this album, one that burrows deeply into an introspective jazz-rooted spiritual groove. With Mark Isham's lonely muted trumpet up front, listeners are in the jazz world immediately with "Haunts of Ancient Peace," merging perfectly with Morrison's idiosyncratic vocal style. A low-pressure soul-jazz organ riff lays down the base of the most easily assimilated track, "Satisfied," as Morrison's lyric indicates that he has reached a state of internal peace. "Wild Honey" has r&b horn riffs over Philly-style strings, while "Spirit" mostly pursues a self-fulfillment path similar to that of "Satisfied." Ultimately, the record stands or falls upon two remarkable, gigantic 15-minute pieces, "Summertime in England" and "When Heart Is Open." The propulsive opening of "Summertime" drops names of Morrison's favorite poets and authors; the track teeters upon indulgence but you are drawn in by Morrison's obsessions with lines and phrases like "common one" and "let your red robe go," his voice becoming a twin brother of arranger Pee Wee Ellis' riffing sax. Lonely horns over the hilltops open "When Heart Is Open," and it begins to resemble a sequel to Miles Davis' treatment of "In a Silent Way," setting a peaceful, mesmerizing mood that carries you through its enormous length to the end of the record. No wonder the rock critics of the time didn't get it; this is music outside the pop mainstream, and even Morrison's own earlier musical territory. But it retains its trancelike power to this day. ~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide

Name Credits Alex Kash Engineer Bernie Grundman Mastering Chris Martin Engineer Dave Burgess Engineer David Hayes Bass Eddie Lee Charlton Drums Henry Lewy Engineer, Producer Herbie Armstrong Vocals, Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm), Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Acoustic) Jeff Labes Conductor, String Arrangements John Allair Keyboards John Paul Jones Artwork Mark Isham Flugelhorn, Synthesizer, Trumpet Mick Cox Guitar Pee Wee Ellis Musical Director, Arranger, Flute, Saxophone Pete Brewis Vocals, Vocals (Background) Peter Van Hooke Drums Van Morrison Harmonica, Vocals, Guitar, Saxophone, Keyboards, Producer