His Band and the Street Choir

Performer: Van Morrison
Artist: Judy Clay
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: The dark night of the soul that culminated in ASTRAL WEEKS found its counterpart in Morrison's next two albums, the seminal MOONDANCE and its subsequent sister, HIS BAND & THE STREET CHOIR. Both released in 1970, these latter two albums defined the folk/soul/blues amalgam that would prove to be the foundation of Morrison's music. The photos inside the sleeve reveal Van as country gentleman, looking at home and (dare we say it) happy. This image is furthered by his then-wife Janet Planet's liner notes, which paint a picture of Van as a man reborn. The music more than bears this out. The tunes here are among the most soulful in Morrison's repertoire. The classic opener "Domino" finds him wailing over a punchy horn section and insistent, percolating rhythms, setting the tone for the rest of the album. Van rocks his way through the R&B-inflected "Blue Money," gets down on the funk workout "I've Been Working," and waxes lyrical on "If I Ever Needed Someone," which seems to be both a gospel song and love ballad simultaneously. HIS BAND & THE STREET CHOIR is perhaps Morrison's most open, exuberant recording.

Rolling Stone (2/4/71, p.54) - "...a freer, more relaxed sound....Van's singing is as smooth and powerful as it's ever been....another beautiful phase in the continuing development of one of the few originals left in rock..." Q (7/93, p.110) - 3 Stars - Good - "...[a] predominantly confessional feel, entwined with a relaxed soul approach....The distinctly funky and brassy `Domino' was Morrison's only American Top 10 single, while `Blue Money' was tightly structured pop of the highest order..."

Van Morrison first came to notice as the powerful vocalist of the mid-1960s group Them ("Baby Please Don't Go," "Gloria"), and then with the solo hit "Brown-Eyed Girl." Morrison followed this success with two landmark albums, ASTRAL WEEKS and MOONDANCE, which masterfully combined folk, gospel, rock, and jazz. As complex a performer as any that rock & roll has produced, the soulful Irishman has produced numerous outstanding recordings in his long career, mixing his pensive and passionate R&B-inflected rock with a decidedly mystical bent.

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