Customer Reviews

Enlightenment

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Most Van the Man albums have great examples of his spiritual side, but this one might have more SPIRIT than any of them. This is sadly not one of Van's most popular (based on the sales rank here), but it offers a great recipe for how to live one's life. Starting off with "Real Real Gone," he tells us "And Sam Cooke is on the radio/And the night is filled with space/And your fingertips touch my face/And I'm real real gone." This certainly illustrates the magical power that music has over us. The title track preaches for us to "Chop that wood/Carry water" since focusing on such mundance tasks is the key to being truly ALIVE. Following these two magnificent tracks, we have "So Quiet in Here" and "Avalon of the Heart." If Heaven has a waiting room, then these two songs are on constant rotation, as there is no other place these songs could have come from. Needless to say, Van's magical voice on these two songs can bring anyone with a soul to tears. Following this, there are many other wonderful songs to choose from, from "Start All Over Again" to "Memories" to the quaint song that grows on you, "In the Days Before Rock and Roll." My words have probably failed to explain exactly how transcendent this album is, but it's certainly the most undiscovered "gem" in Van's massive catalog. I am in the process of burning a CD of all my favorite Van songs. As any true fan knows, that's a pretty daunting task narrowing the best of Van down to 80 minutes, but I'm sure some songs from this CD will make the cut. To sum this album up using Van's own words from "So Quiet in Here": "This must be what paradise is like!!!"

This is a record I listen to from start to finish. No desire or need to mess with it all. Just put it on, and take the journey. Another thing about this wonderful cd-it never loses its juice. I've heard it literally dozens of times now, and it still shines as bright as it ever did. Great production, tight, polished musicianship, and terrific songwriting; you can't go wrong with this Morrison release. Highly recommended.

"Enlightenment" is part of the 2nd wave of Van Morrison remastered reissues to hit the shops in 2008 (see full list below). Released Monday 30 June 2008 in the UK and 1 July 2008 in the USA, it also boasts an upgraded booklet and 2 bonus tracks for the first time.

Here's the layout (58:52 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 10 make up the original album - it was released in October 1990 on Polydor
Tracks 11 and 12 are previously unreleased bonus tracks - "Enlightenment (Alternate Take)" and "So Quiet In Here (Alternate Take)"

The upgraded booklet has the lyrics to the two Alternate Takes after the rest of the album, session notes and beneath the see-through inlay is a photo that matches the original artwork. Disappointingly, there's no new liner notes, no interview, no photos - but the really greats news is the remaster - the original analogue tapes have been 96K/24Bit Remastered for this release and the sound quality is superlative - much better than the very quiet sound that came off the original 1990 CD. I've waited 18 years to hear "See Me Through" in this sound quality - and it was worth the wait.

The bonus tracks are a mixed bag; the alternate version of "Enlightenment" is heavy on the vocals and the keyboards - while Georgie Fame's tinkering is lovely, Van's vocals are very forced and it sounds like what it is - a run-through - a take trying to find the true soul of the song. It's good, but nowhere near as good as the finished take. "So Quite In Here" fares better - it's delicate, lovely in places - and deserves the moniker of `bonus track'.

"Enlightenment is "Avalon Sunset" Part 2 and a firm fan favourite - this excellent remaster finally gives it the sonic muscle it's long deserved. Recommended.

PS:
30 Van Morrison albums are re-issued in remastered form throughout 2008 and into early 2009. Each title contains an upgraded booklet; previously unreleased bonus tracks and all will be at mid-price. The releases are in 4 batches as follows:

28 January 2008 (7 titles)
Tupelo Honey (1971), It's Too Late To Stop Now (2 CD Live Set) (1974),
Wavelenght (1979), Into The Music (1979), A Sense Of Wonder (1985),
Avalon Sunset (1989) and Back On Top (1999)
(see SEPARATE REVIEWS for all 7)

30 June 2008 UK/1 & 8 July 2008 USA (8 titles)
Veedon Fleece (1974), Common One (1980), Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart (1983), Live At The Grand Opera House, Belfast (1984), No Guru, No Method, No Teacher (1986), Enlightenment (1990), A Night In San Francisco (2CD Live Set) (1994) and The Healing Game (1997)
(see also SEPARATE REVIEWS for "Veedon Fleece", "Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart", "Common One", the live 2CD set "A Night In San Francisco" and "No Guru, No Teacher, No Method")

September 2008 - delayed until February 2009 (7 titles)
Saint Dominic's Preview (1972), A Period Of Transition (1977), Beautiful Vision (1982), Poetic Champions Compose (1987), Hymns To The Silence (2CD Studio Set) (1991), How Long Has This Been Going On (Live At Ronnie Scott's) (1995) and Tell Me Something - The Songs Of Mose Allison (1996)

January 2009 (8 titles)
Hard Nose The Highway (1973), Irish Heartbeat (with The Chieftains) (1988),
Too Long In Exile (1993), Days Like This (1995), The Story Of Them (2CD Set) (1999), The Skiffle Sessions - Live In Belfast (with Lonnie Donegan & Chris Barber) (2000), Down The Road (2002) and What's Wrong With This Picture? (2003)

PPS:
Those hoping to see desperately needed sonic upgrades of his 1st and 2nd album masterpieces on Warner Bothers "Astral Weeks" (1968) and "Moondance" (1970) or even "His Band & The Street Choir" (late 1970) will be disappointed to hear that they're NOT in this re-issue campaign - on either side of the pond. "Astral Weeks" and "Moondance" in particular have both been languishing around on crappy-sounding non-remastered CDs for over 20 years now and they're glaringly obvious omissions in this supposedly 'extensive' re-issue campaign. These universally recognized masterpieces have long deserved 2CD DELUXE EDITION treatment (some tracks in remastered form are available across the 3 volumes of "Best Of"). However, I've recently been informed by a good source that all 3 are NOW AVAILABLE since June 2008 in JAPAN in RHINO REMASTERED form. See the excellent Japanese site CDJAPAN.CO.JP for details (worded in English).

For anyone who marveled at Van Morrison's amazing comeback album "Avalon Sunset" released in 1989, this follow up album working the same themes was a very satisfying demonstration of just how deep and strong Van Morrison's enduring talents seemed to be. Like the previous album, this one offers a startling range of styles, subject matter, and themes, but all the songs share a kind of quiet celebration of the mature Van, able to sing, play and even chant his way through a song like no one else can. Indeed, after a string of disappointing albums that did not gain wide recognition or playtime, this album, like the one before it, cemented once again Morrison's reputation as a star of the first magnitude.

So, we find the eclectic star of "Them" and then the guy who sang everything from "Brown Eyed Girl" to "Moondance" waxing sentimental here about love, listening to the radio as a boy, and reflecting about the meaning of enlightenment. From the wonderfully lyric and memorable title song of "enlightenment" to the final cut "Memories', Van shows why he is such an enduring presence in the contemporary pop music scene. Thoughtful, melodically unique, and yet still operating within the realm of pop standards, Morrison muses about his personal dilemma in "Quiet In Here", the satisfaction of the quiet life in an amazing "Avalon Of The Heart", and a live version of "Real, Real Gone". In fact, I really like all of the cuts here; this album is a keeper, and one you are sure to enjoy. I still do!

I am surprised at the review of one music fan who said that Van Morrison has seven or eight albums that are better than "enlightenment" and that the album is only suitable for die hard fans. I think that is way off base. With the exception of the title track, which I dont really like because of its trendy zen affectations, all the songs on the album are impressive. "Avalon of the heart" and "so quiet in here" are particularly impressive and moving to me. At first I didnt like "in the days before rock and roll," but soon it began to grow on me and now it is one of my favorites.

I encourage you to give this album a try.

To anybody not familiar with Van's non-radio repertoire, his immense catalog of material would easily overwhelm you. To the casual fan, releases like Moondance and Astral Weeks are certainly a no-brainer. Unfortunately, two or three Van albums still hardly captures the tip of the iceberg. So let's say you have a best-of or two or maybe you own a few of the better known classics and want to expose yourself to more. Is Enlightenment a good choice? Let me answer that question with a more appropriate question. When exposing yourself to Van, is there ever a bad choice? I can't think of any, personally.

Enlightenment is simply more of what Van is famous for. Introspective lyrics, brilliant musicianship and Van's incredible voice. Don't bother yourself with the fact that you've possibly never heard of it. You absolutely cannot go wrong with this album.

Instead of perscribing percocet for pain they should just perscribe Van Morrison.This album would work great for that,but then again so would pretty much all of his albums.This is if not his best,certainly one of his best of the 90's.The first half from "Real Real Gone" to "See Me Thru" is as clear and refreshing as water and just flawless.I mean the whole album is great,but I would be surprised if a person could listen to the first half of this album and not feel better than they did before.That's the game Van plays:"The Healing Game".The early nineties albums(This one,Hymns to the silence,etc.)would be the last he did with that great Van mixture of Celtic,Rock,R@B,Soul,Blues all mixed into one.His newer albums are great too,they just seem to cover the same musical style unlike this one where you really can't call this music any one style other than good music from the soul.I am so grateful for all the music that Van Morrison has out there to share with us.This would be the one I would call the best of his last twenty years.You can turn the volume up all the way on "So Quiet in Here" and some how it will still be quiet.I find it extremley ironic that Van was one of the few artists of the late 60's who wasn't all about doing drugs for mind expansion and yet all these years later he still is making mind expanding music while most of the other artists of that era have either died or burnt out long ago.If you want to be enlightened by "Enlightenment" don't try to analyze the lyrics and figure out what it means,Just Listen and be healed.

This album might seem a little odd at first to those who aren't die-hard Van Morrison fans- that's how it was when I first heard the album six years ago. It grows on you - even hearing him whisper about "Justin...gently...on Radio Luxembourg" in "In The Days Before Rock 'N' Roll." "So quiet in here" is the perfect song to listen to when you just want to feel at peace with yourself and the world around you. This album has a sort of meditative spirit to it- go figure, its title is "Enlightenment." As with all of his other albums, this is a wonderful one!

This album is a masterpeice. Morrison's music is a spiritually enlightening experience. Honestly, I cannot imagine a person who would not be affected by his music. This album is paramount to understanding him as an artist and is also very touching on a personal level. I reccommend this album to anyone who wants to have a true musical experience. It's simply fantastic!

I have a pretty extensive Van collection and have enjoyed his music for the last 25+ years since I bought Moondance on cassette and wore it out by listening to it all the time. Enlightenment is my favorite. I recall when I bought it while living in Chicago about 15 years ago I listented to it back-to-back-to-back-to-back....... If I ever get too stressed out I turn down the lights and turn up the volume just a bit and listen to "Its so Quiet in Here".
This is musical genius at its best.