- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
-
Morrison's first collection of originals in longer than most of us can remember relies on a characteristic combo of jazz phrasing and bluesy riffs that should please die-hards and maybe bring in a few latter-day converts.
-
The album is front-loaded with these relatively energetic tracks. Much of the rest ('End of the Land,' 'Song of Home') is resigned, reflective and spiritually attuned, but not always keenly focused.
-
True, there are moments during this self-penned collection of bluesy numbers that the Irishman does indeed Keep It Simple, but perhaps too much so, and it comes off as "Rather Too Easy" instead.
-
At its best, Keep It Simple is a comforting dispatch from the fairyland where folky soul Morrison masterpieces like 1971's "Tupelo Honey" were born.
-
The Belfast cowboy keeps on making quality records
-
On this relaxed and cohesive set, Van's band fall into simple and graceful grooves and play like a proper group, not hired hands.
-
Most of Keep it Simple has a demeanor of ease to it.
-
The arrangements are elegantly spare: subtle works of guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion, occasional backup singers and, at the center of it all, Morrison's incomparable voice, as expressive as ever.
-
So far, so agreeable, but a minor niggle is that Morrison evidently continues to favour comfortable rather than challenging accompanists. Then the album hots up.
User score distribution:
-
Positive: 10 out of 12
-
Mixed: 2 out of 12
-
Negative: 0 out of 12
-
RennyK.Apr 5, 2008