THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Like this year’s acclaimed Moving On Skiffle, Van Morrison’s 45th studio album Accentuate The Positive sees him returning to one of his childhood passions: This time, the classic sound of original rock ’n’ roll.
Growing up in Belfast shortly after the Second World War, Morrison was immensely inspired by the heady sounds of 20th-century blues and rock ’n’ roll. Listening to artists such as Fats Domino, Chuck Berry and The Everly Brothers, it wasn’t long until Van was intuitively reinterpreting these sounds with his own band in local hometown venues.
Several decades later, Morrison revisits the genre by reimagining some of his personal favourites for Accentuate The Positive, and infusing those timeless songs with an energy that constantly challenges and expands upon its traditions. Van’s inimitable voice combined with superb arrangements and highly accomplished brings a fresh zeal to such great songs as The Johnny Burnette Trio’s Lonesome Train, Johnny Kidd & The Pirates Shakin’ All Over and Big Joe Turner’s pioneering rock ’n’ roll hit Flip, Flop and Fly.
Contributors to the album include the late, great guitar god Jeff Beck and singer Chris Farlowe on Lonesome Train, plus guitar from Taj Mahal on Lucille and Shake, Rattle and Roll.
“Rock ’n’ roll is about simplicity, sincerity and expressive power and there’s no way you can get away from that,” Morrison says. “That’s why it’s good and that’s why it’s lasted. It’s spirit music.’
