The Prophet Speaks
by Van Morrison
  • Record Label: Caroline
  • Release Date: Dec 7, 2018
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
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  1. The Skinny
    Dec 7, 2018
    60
    The title track of Van the Man's 40th (!) studio album, the slow jam is a brilliant blues number based on rolling Rhodes keyboards, fat horns, thin cymbal splashes and a vocal with such clarity, concision and quality that it will stop you in your tracks. Yep, that good. The rest? Well, you've seen this movie before: blues, jazz and soul standards delivered with minimum fuss and maximum quality.
  2. Rolling Stone
    Dec 7, 2018
    60
    Morrison’s latest is further proof that he’s still one of the most moving, unrivaled singers of his generation, but it’s hard not to wonder what would happen if he embraced his inner-mystic songwriting voice once more.
  3. The Guardian
    Dec 7, 2018
    60
    There is absolutely nothing wrong with The Prophet Speaks, but Morrison has not made an album destined to be pored over for clues. If he is offering any enlightenment, the message is simply: don’t forget the old masters.
  5. Mojo
    Dec 6, 2018
    60
    It's easy groove doesn't suggest exhaustion, just peace of mind. [Jan 2019, p.84]
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User Score
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No user score yet- Awaiting 1 more rating

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Kimosabe
    Dec 7, 2018
    10
    I’ve been a fan since the first Them album over fifty years. I’d like to respond to the first user review by saying that yes an album of allI’ve been a fan since the first Them album over fifty years. I’d like to respond to the first user review by saying that yes an album of all Van originals is certainly preferable and that can be found in Keep Me Singing which I consider one of the great Van albums, up there with No Guru, No Teacher, No Method, and Veedon Fleece, not up there with Astral Weeks or Moondance but you can’t have everything. But I have really enjoyed the Driving Me Crazy album and this one because the band is just so good. I didn’t used to listen because of the guitar or sax or organ although I really like Georgie Fame’s sensitivity. Van’s singing is right up there. 73, you’re kidding. Versatile is great if you like standards and the Van songs stand out. He sings like a young man. Too bad Dylan and McCartney lost their great voices.
    If you want to see him these days it costs something like $250 a ticket. I saw him many times in the Bay Area for $10 or whatever. What I’m getting at is that you get a pretty damn good show for the price of a cd or digital download. Time is running out. When he’s gone are you going to be one of those who came too late or are you going to enjoy him now. Maybe he’ll put out another album of originals, maybe not. Dig what you get. It’s pretty fine.    … Full Review »
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