Van Morrison - Veedon Fleece (Remastered) (1974/2020) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

The pick of the second batch of Morrison reissues, 1974’s Veedon Fleece brought down the curtain on a hugely prolific period of his career and was followed by three years’ silence. Arguably, Van scuttled off to lick his wounds, as much of the record recounts his divorce from wife Janet Planet, in particular Who Was That Masked Man? and Fair Play.

It’s a spartan set of songs, perhaps closest to Astral Weeks in terms of his previous output, although the emotional momentum is understandably more personal, the lyrics even more obtuse. The country-esque Bulbs lifts the spirits temporarily, but the overall mood is downbeat. Not that that’s a bad thing. Bonus tracks are limited to two alternative takes, as is the case with the rest of this month’s Van revivals; Common One, Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart, No Guru No Method No Teacher, Live At The Grand Opera House, Enlightenment, A Night In San Francisco and The Healing Game.

"The final album of Van Morrison's remarkably prolific and innovative 1968-1974 period (followed by three years of silence), Veedon Fleece brings the singer full circle, returning him to the introspection and poignancy of Astral Weeks. Composed following his sudden divorce from wife Janet Planet and subsequent retreat from the U.S., the songs are subtle and Spartan, the performances deeply felt; though less tortured and cathartic than Astral Weeks, it's a record fraught with emotional upheaval, as evidenced by such superior moments as "Linden Arden Stole the Highlights," "Who Was That Masked Man," and "You Don't Pull No Punches, But You Don't Push the River." That said, this is one of those – and there are several – forgotten classics in the Morrison catalog. Because it followed hot on the heels of his universally acclaimed double live album It's Too Late to Stop Now…, released only a month previous, this effort, like its likewise unheralded – but equally wonderful – studio effort Hard Nose the Highway, which was issued only six months before, the album suffered from a lack of exposure because of saturation in the marketplace rather than any lack in quality. Veedon Fleece is every bit the creative equal of its more famous predecessors. With its elegiac tone and deeply autobiographical lyrics, this was a Morrison who didn't so readily associate himself with the feel-good, peace, love, and rhythm & blues sound American audiences were used to. If any album reflects a real period of transition for an artist, it's this one. It's brilliant." (Jason Ankeny, AMG)

Tracklist:
1. Fair Play (6:15)
2. Linden Arden Stole the Highlights (2:37)
3. Who Was That Masked Man (2:55)
4. Streets of Arklow (4:23)
5. You Don't Pull No Punches, But You Don't Push the River (8:50)
6. Bulbs (4:19)
7. Cul De Sac (5:51)
8. Comfort You (4:25)
9. Come Here My Love (2:21)
10. Country Fair (5:51)
11. Twilight Zone (Alternative Take) (5:51)
12. Cul De Sac (Alternative Take) (2:54)

Personnel:
Van Morrison, vocals, guitar
Ralph Walsh, guitar
John Tropea, guitar on "Bulbs" and "Cul de Sac"
David Hayes, bass
Joe Macho, bass on "Bulbs" and "Cul de Sac"
Dahaud Shaar (David Shaw), drums
Allan Schwartzberg, drums on "Bulbs" and "Cul de Sac"
Nathan Rubin, violin
Terry Adams, viola
James Rothermel, flute, recorder
Jack Schroer, soprano saxophone
James Trumbo, piano
Jef Labes, piano on "Bulbs" and "Cul de Sac"

Digitally remastered