Van Morrison - The Philosopher's Stone (2 LP)
- LP
- 2 piece(s)
- 1998
- 30 tracks
- 2 uur, 33 min
The Philosopher's Stone
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Average of 4 reviews
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Van Morrison's latest release is absolutely fantastic! It's a real treat to discover some of his lesser-known but brilliantly crafted tracks. If you're a Morrison enthusiast, I'd definitely suggest grabbing a copy.
When artists release a collection mainly filled with unreleased tracks, it often falls short of expectations. However, Van Morrison's “Philosopher’s Stone” is an exception, with many still considering it one of his finest works today. I'm not sure if it qualifies as a traditional album, as it wasn't originally intended to be one. But focusing on the music, Van has given us a fantastic recording that I couldn't imagine being without. This double-disc set features around thirty tracks, mostly unreleased material from 1970 to 1988, along with a couple of alternate takes from previous albums. The rendition of “Wonderful Remark” here is captivating. As a huge Van Morrison fan, I must admit that a single CD release might have been more concise, as only about fifteen tracks truly resonate with me. However, this doesn't mean the rest won't appeal to you. Van covers nearly twenty years of unreleased music, which is a treasure in itself. The album showcases his smooth and sultry blues, distinctive jazz, lively boogie-woogie piano, and some of the most enchanting R&B songs you'll ever hear. Given the age and variety of sessions, producers, and recording techniques, one might expect quality issues. Yet, the recordings are exceptional, emotional, and as well-crafted as any of his other works. The musicianship is tight, and the songs flow together seamlessly, as if designed to be a cohesive whole. Perhaps the fact that most tracks are outtakes is what binds them so well, giving them a sense of belonging. I'm puzzled as to why these songs weren't used initially, but perhaps Van felt they didn't fit his contemporary releases. Like Dylan, Van had periods where his output wasn't consistent, and maybe he was saving these gems. These songs are heart-wrenching and filled with passion and grace, wrapped in a truth we rarely want to confront or sing. Losing these songs would have left my musical life much poorer. If you're downloading, don't miss these tracks: “Really Don’t Know,” “Ordinary People,” “Wonderful Remark,” “Not Supposed To Break Down,” “Contemplation Rose,” “Don’t Worry About Tomorrow,” “Foggy Mountain Top,” “Street Only Knew Your Name,” “I Have Finally Come To Realize,” “Real Real Gone,” and “Show Business.” The album concludes for me with “Show Business,” a track that invites you to relax and let Van take over. Review by Jenell Kesler
Van Morrison's latest album is absolutely fantastic! It's a real treat to discover some of his lesser-known yet brilliantly crafted tracks. If you're a fan of Morrison, I highly suggest adding this one to your collection.
When most artists release a collection mainly comprised of unreleased tracks, it often falls short of expectations. However, Van Morrison's “Philosopher’s Stone” is an exception, with many still regarding it as one of his finest works today. I'm not entirely sure if this compilation can be classified as a traditional album, given its origins, but the music itself is what truly matters. And in that regard, Van has gifted us with an exceptional recording that I couldn't imagine being without in my collection. This double-disc set features around thirty tracks, mostly unreleased gems from 1970 to 1988, along with a couple of alternate takes from previous albums. The rendition of “Wonderful Remark” here is simply captivating. As a devoted fan, I must admit that a single CD release might have been more practical, as only about fifteen tracks truly resonate with me. However, this doesn't diminish the quality of the remaining songs. After all, Van is showcasing nearly two decades of unreleased music, which is an event worth celebrating. The album boasts a mix of sultry blues, distinctive jazz, lively piano boogie-woogie, and some of the most enchanting R&B tunes you'll ever hear. Despite the age and varied recording techniques, the sound quality is impeccable, with each track exuding emotion and craftsmanship. The musicianship is tight, and there's a cohesive flow that ties the entire collection together, as if it was always meant to be this way. It's puzzling why these tracks weren't used initially, but perhaps Van felt they didn't align with his contemporary releases. Much like Dylan, Van may have had periods where he wasn't consistently producing full albums, possibly saving these songs for a later time. These tracks are deeply moving, filled with passion and grace, wrapped in a truth that's often hard to face or sing. Losing these songs would have left a significant void in my musical journey. If you're considering a download, don't overlook these tracks: “Really Don’t Know, Ordinary People, Wonderful Remark, Not Supposed To Break Down, Contemplation Rose, Don’t Worry About Tomorrow, Foggy Mountain Top, Street Only Knew Your Name, I Have Finally Come To Realize, Real Real Gone, and Show Business.” For me, the album concludes perfectly with “Show Business,” a track that invites you to lean back and let Van take over.
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