Van Morrison/Linda Gail Lewis: You Win Again

(Exile/EMI)

Herald rating: * * *

Review: Graham Reid

It's been some little while since Van extended himself to an album of new material.

These past few years he's been happy to release live albums, team up with old buddies Chris Barber and Lonnie Donegan for a skiffle session, and now he's with Jerry Lee Lewis' piano-hammering sister for a collection of country and r'n'b classics.

Despite Jools Holland's liner notes asserting how well their voices blend ("to perfection") you have to be a fan of country'n'western yelp to enjoy Lewis' contribution.

That said, Van is in fine voice — certainly more so than on the skiffle sessions — and on tracks like Jambalaya, Old Black Joe, Real Gone Lover, Think Twice Before You Go and the sole original, his likeably loose No Way Pedro, he also sounds like he's not only enjoying himself but making a real effort.

There's a good band on hand, the song selection favours the familiar, and — Lewis' acquired-taste contribution aside — this must be reassuring for Van aficionados who are faithfully waiting the return to form.

That said, it's another minor addition to Van's increasing catalogue.

Nice to know His Grumpiness is having fun though.