Van Morrison always wrote music about the spiritual, but the spiritual is always changing. Starting out rather earthly (Moon Dance), to off center (Beautiful Vision), to right down center (No Guru...), to over done (Enlightenment)...this CD will give years of enjoyment with the philosophy of "Just you & me, with the Father...in the garden" meaning: Love will give you the direct experience of the divine without a guru, method, or teacher. Less R&B during this period, more Celtic Folk-Rock, with a very clean & well performing back up band. Some songs deal with either a journey or someone special is coming (Foreign Window & Town Called Paradise), is this about the 2nd coming of Christ, or that we all shall become like Christ or Buddha? Are there hints of reincarnation or renewing? Most of the songs give 2 to 3 different meanings depending on your spirituality or understanding fitting everything from Buddhism to Christianity. Also some issues about being Irish, (One Irish Rover) to being oneself (Ivory Tower). This has to be my favorite Van Morrison CD.

It has been almost 20 years since I bought my first copy of the great, great masterpiece, "No Guru, No Method, No Teacher".
As time has gone by I have gone through the obvious changes that 20 years brings us; Travel, school,work, marriage, loss, pending middle age, not excluded et al.
Well, upon it's release, Van Morrison had been reaching for this body of work for a few years before. Starting with 1980's "Common One". Perhaps even, Veedon Fleece from 1974. bringing him through Jazz, Pop and lyrical indulgences that though hitting some fevered and brilliant moments were not fully realized until this album. He had struggled with his 1970's label, "Warner Bros and this was his second studio effort for Mercury Records. The change brought a revelation of sorts. A freedom.
From the opening, "Got to Go Back". The Van Morrison orchestral and jazz/soul pallette is being stretched and like the mist of the Irish sea, these songs flowed from the brush of Van's mind, pen, spirituality and his brilliant backing band. The acoustic guitars are in perfect balance with the electric guitars which are never intrusive. The sweeping string arrangements and outstanding piano composition/improvisation based on "feel" are nothing short of elevating. The whole band falls into a pocket that makes every track on this album a masterpiece in it's own individual standing and subsequently as a complete body of work.
Finally, Van's voice had changed by 1985 and matured to a rich, soulful, man's voice. Deep and poignant. His control and nuances of his always evident soul are placed in an almost prayer-like reading throughout. It is a wonder of an album and one which made me feel that in the mid-80's there was music being made that was the purest in the air. While certainly not the airwaves. "Ivory Tower" reached a few stations but, to not alot of attention. It didn't matter. It never has since.
This has been one of my desert island discs.
One of my top 5 album favorites of all time for the better part of two decades. I have been through one vinyl, and 2 CD editions and I have consistently introduced the CD to many friends as a gift. I'm sure it will continue in that capacity. This CD and the songs it carries are only one highpoint in Van's remarkable career. But, a gift it surely is. A gift he absolutely has and gave to us on this one.

Van never lets us forget that he's the consumate musician and arranger. When he wants to rock, he rocks like no one else, and when he wants to portray a mystical experience in music, he paints with sound like a master. During the eighties he was in recovery and rediscovered magic in the moments of real life. Some of the songs on this disk, as well as on Avalon Sunset, my favorite, are attempts to capture in music those golden moments that are beyond words. We are fortunate when a great musician and poet like Van Morrison struggles to satisfy his own stringent demands, because the results come to us as gifts from the cosmos. Van rages, Van questions, Van is grateful, Van is blessed, and we are given all of it, to rock to, to wonder with, to be awed by. Irish Rover is lyrical, Foreign Window is cryptic, In the Garden is a breathless tribute to the moments when we contact "It," as he's been known to call a reality beyond the everyday. As the ultimate experience for some Deadheads would have been to trip with Jerry, some of us would choose to go for a walk with Van. His music is a reminder, though, that the good stuff is out there to be experienced by all of us, especially when we're alone or with those we love.

Many take issue with Van Morrison's mid-80's persona, foresaking edgier R&B for softer, more ethereal stylings. I find this a beautiful, tender and intimate album (despite what some might say about Van's sometimes arcane lyrics). This is an excellent starting place for someone whose only experience of Van is his early (or recent), bluesier work.

This, along with Poetic Champions Compose, paints a picture of such peaceful, spirtual warmth that it can cure a stress headache faster than anything one can buy over the counter. This is from a singer/songwriter that knows exactly where he is going with this album and takes us along with him for the beautiful, joyous ride. Van's spirtuality shines through on this album like the noonday sun breaking completely free of clouds, but is as gently persuasive as an early evening breeze. Van vividly paints scene after scene with his writing, his voice and tremendous musical arrangements. Listen to this while gazing up at the night sky. One of the 100 Greatest Albums on the Ken Carroll Scale.