Van Morrison - A Period Of Transition [Remastered] (CD 1997)

Van Morison? Hm. What sort of music does he make? Hm ! Balladeering funk. Soulful rock, various interpretations. MOR duets (with Cliff - What was that all about??), country, white soul?. Well, I'm no expert on Van Morrison, but hes' been around for ever and has one hell of a reputation. There has to be something to him. There is. Though much of it passes me by.

The very first track of Van Morrison's I remember hearing was called 'Eternal Kansas City'. Alan 'Fluff' Freeman palyed it on his saturday afternoon rock shows. I used to tape the shows on the saturday and play back the tracks, editing out the DJ speak. Consequently I got to know 'Eternal Kansas City' and over the years returned to the cassete quite alot to play that very track. In between times I have very slowly matured into other Van Morrison tracks and bought several albums. He is difficult to pigeon hole. He is original and completely different to anyone else.

This album contains Eternal Kansas City. It will always remain a highlight because I know the track so well. As for the rest of the album - I'm still maturing into it. I'm sure its excellent. But, like much of his solo output, its sometimes meanders off into directionless aspects that completely pass me by. Like I say, Im still growing into him. EKC is worth the price of the album all by itself.

Personally, I think he's more than slightly overated. But still worth exploring. If youre a new fan then this album won't disappoint. If you're a newcomer , then go for a greatest hits package which are generally excellent.