Van Morrison: Born to Sing: No Plan B – review

Van Morrison's first studio album since 2008's Keep It Simple has a jazzier feel than anything he's done for a while and that is all to the good. There's a nice bit of Hammond organ on first track Open the Door (To Your Heart) while the horn section trade solos throughout, with Morrison himself playing alto sax; the whole has a live feel and an organic warmth that recalls the Caledonia Soul Orchestra. Lyrically, it is a strong set, too, and lays into the failed materialism of the modern world on tracks such as End of the Rainbow; Vanologists will recognise the reference to Beside You from Astral Weeks in the title and refrain of Retreat and View. Morrison's voice remains peerless. A keeper, a goodie.