Van Morrison - Too Long In Exile (1993) [Hi-Res]

The title track is a mundane cross between contemporary blues and soft rock with a chorus repeated ad nauseam. Next up is the gently rocking blues of "Big Time Operator" featuring Georgie Fame on organ. Morrison bites into a delicious cover of Ray Charles' "Lonely Avenue." John Lee Hooker appears on two striking duets, "Gloria" and "Wasted Years." Sonny Boy Williamson's "Good Morning Little School Girl" is revisited and sped up a bit with nice harmonica solo by Morrison. Throughout, Morrison's raw vocal cords are sufficiently dramatic to bring these rhythmic stories to life. This is an earthy departure from his two previous pop efforts. ~ Bil Carpenter