Belfast, Ireland is Van Morrison's refuge, strength and, often, inspiration for the rock-jazz-blues melange that is this Celt's body of work. In a career roughly split into the Bang and post-Bang periods, the Bang being the record label for which he ...more Belfast, Ireland is Van Morrison's refuge, strength and, often, inspiration for the rock-jazz-blues melange that is this Celt's body of work. In a career roughly split into the Bang and post-Bang periods, the Bang being the record label for which he briefly recorded while produced by Bert Bern in the sixties, Morrison's been a balladeer and strong personality through success, retreat, criticism and acclaim. Early '70s releases included Tupelo Honey and It's Too Late to Stop Now, and the '80s saw him touring to high fan approval if not critical praise. In the '90s, Morrison's career ignited once more and duets with daughter Shana, shared eclectic elegance with jazz pianist and musical raconteur Mose Allison, and the eternally smooth influences of Ray Charles and Sinatra contribute to his warm, philosophical product today. What's Wrong With This Picture was released in 2003 and let loose another Morrison power punch of autobiography, commentary and experimentation....less |