Van’s back, indeed! Some 30-odd albums into a remarkably prolific recording career, the irascible Irishman returns with one of his strongest releases to date. But "on top?" Can’t mean the charts, since Van’s never been one to measure success by either airplay or sales. And it’s hard to believe he means emotionally, not with the kind of wistful melancholy that pervades so much of this disc. On top of his game, as a singer, as a songwriter? That must be it, ‘cause this is truly a top-notch release. So whaddya get with Van in the late nineties? Admittedly, much of the same. As always, there are recurrent lyrical themes running through his work. There’s a bit of self-indulgent whining. (We know by now that he doesn’t trust the "suits" that run the record companies! Enough already!) There’s some free-flowing, horn-driven jazz and some straight ahead blues. But most of all, there are the ballads. Wait, make that the sublime ballads.
Now, Van’s been known to rock out occasionally (albeit with taste and restraint, if that’s not a contradiction) over the years. But it’s always been the quieter, more introspective numbers that have best revealed the man’s soul. And oh what soul! I can think of no other artist as capable of revealing the sheer beauty found in sadness, in melancholy. He invests each line with such heartfelt emotion, even the simplest of phrases ("I miss you so much/I can’t stand it" / Seems like my heart/is breaking in two"), take on a weight, a profundity. Every phrase seems to resonate with a larger, more universal Truth. Sounds terribly hokey, yes, and in lesser hands it no doubt would be. But this is Van the Man we’re talking about here!
Lest one think all is world-weary resignation, though, hear this; "Well the fire’s still in me and the passion burns." Perhaps it’s best - for us, anyway - that he’s never found true contentment. To the benefit of his music, he’s still searching, still seeking, still fighting the good fight. And the passion does still burn!
This review is copyright © 2000 by John Taylor, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.
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