Too Long in Exile: Back into Darkness with the Man

It's been years and years since rock music was still important and had great relevance. Artists were not pop bunnies who sang with computer voices, but stars with guitars, poets, explainers of the world.

Sunny days are the best days to hear "Too Long in Exile" by Van Morrison again.

“Too Long Not Singing My Song,” complains Van Morrison in the title track of his current album. And what he means by that becomes clear very quickly: the master indulges in a program of blues and blues-related things. But darkness doesn't necessarily rule. Because with Candy Dulfer and Kate St. John, two saxophonists radiate youthful power. At the center of how could it be otherwise "man himself".

Morrison trumpets his way through a well-mixed repertoire of classics and new songs with his unmistakable voice. The hit song “Gloria” proves that he is not just celebrating himself. Anyone who interprets his own evergreen alongside John Lee Hooker in such a way that is modest and useful to his work is truly above all things. However, when it comes to the industry , which markets his music, Morrison still sees red. In songs like "Bigtime Operator" he sinks his teeth into the supposed tyranny of the record companies.

“Wasted Years” is also combative, another piece with Hooker, but which is rather characterized by a certain age-wise wisdom. Morrison’s version of “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl”, on the other hand, is surprisingly youthful.