Days Like This (CD)

Many of the fine musicians who've worked with Van on his past releases reappear with exemplary results. Over half of the tracks are arranged by former James Brown cohort Pee Wee Ellis, whose charts punch up songs like "Perfect Fit" and the title tune. Brian Kennedy's pure falsetto is a gossamer veil that contrasts Morrison's gruff vocals--particularly on "In The Afternoon," Van's wistful ode to late-in-the-day love-making. Daughter Shana Morrison sings back-up on most tracks, and duets with her father on the two covers--Ray Charles' "You Don't Know Me," which gets a smoky reading with Shana playing Linda Ronstadt to Van's Brother Ray, and the countryish "I'll Never Be Free," originally done by Tennessee Ernie Ford and Kay Starr.

DAYS LIKE THIS also maintains Morrison's ability to delve into the mysticism of his heritage and turn out reams of lyrical intrigue. The complex imagery of "Ancient Highway" refutes Van's claim that he is a simple tunesmith--made on the self-descriptive "Songwriter." The interior conflict of past wrongs and a shot at redemption is what fuels the twists and turns that "Highway" takes. On it, the Belfast Cowboy invokes Hank Williams, a Biblical parable and a town that skips in and out of reality as part of the metaphysical journey; and follows it up by playing acoustic guitar, harmonica and a soulful Hammond organ throughout this eight minutes-plus opus.