Into the Music [Bonus Tracks]

Artist	Van Morrison
Format	CD
Genre	Rock
Label Name	Universal Japan
Producer	Van Morrison
Release Date	2008 04 01
Song List	1: Bright Side of the Road (3:47) 2: Full Force Gale (3:14) 3: Steppin' Out Queen (5:26) 4: Troubadours (4:41) 5: Rolling Hills (2:53) 6: You Make Me Feel So Free (4:08) 7: Angeliou (6:50) 8: And the Healing Has Begun (8:02) 9: It's All in the Game (5:09) 10: You Know What They're Writing About (5:49) 11: Steppin' Out Queen [Alternate Take][*] (7:00) 12: Troubadours [Alternate Take][*] (5:32)
Style.Categories	Album Rock, Jazz-Rock, Blue-Eyed Soul, Pop/Rock, Folk-Rock, Soft Rock, Adult Contemporary, Singer/Songwriter, R&B

This product CANNOT be returned once it has been opened. click here for more information on our general return policy.

In-Stock: Ships within 24 hours

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 sizable 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. [Polydor's 2008 edition included two bonus tracks.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide