The ongoing reissue campaign for his extensive back catalogue may be receiving the lion’s share of column inches, but Morrison’s first new album for three years warrants as much attention. The title says it all: a sturdy set of impeccably-played blues and soul with little of the garnish he’s previously used to paper over the cracks of less powerful material.
Don’t Go To Nightclubs Anymore retains the simplicity of the best from relatively recent releases such as Back On Top or Pay The Devil, effortlessly locating to the seedier side of the country street, while End Of The Line’s Hammond washes and gospel tinges are pure Ray Charles. It wouldn’t be Van without at least one freeform mantra, such as the closing Behind The Ritual, which seems to both acknowledge and mock the mumbled testifying from Common One and Beautiful Vision.
This is Morrison in unapologetic mode, setting his stall out and carrying on regardless of fads or trends. Much of his philosophy can be found in just a few words on the delicate balladry of Soul: “Soul is your station/Or the folk of your nation/Something that you wear with pride”.
