Customer Reviews

Veedon Fleece

5 star:		(76)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

On which Morrison is less Van the Man, the Celtic Soul Brother and more the ruminative Irish poet child of nature...it's difficult to describe this wonderful record in a few sentences. It's very much in the English Nick Drake/Pentangle tradition, which is not to say that it's traditional folk music. It's got strains of R & B, jazz, and even country running through it, and was a logical, if unexpected progression of Van's music at the time. It's closest in feel, in the Morrison catalog, to Astral Weeks; it shares the mostly acoustic, jazzy feel of his Warners debut but is a more mature and introspective work. Morrison had, after the relative aesthetic failure of his otherwise fine Hard Nose The Highway album, begun to get a bit restless artistically...if I recall correctly, he took a trip to Ireland to get back to his roots (so to speak) after spending many years here in the States, and when he returned this is where his muse led him. He recieves stellar backing from his road band on this album, especially the underrated pianist Jef Labes.

There isn't a bad track here. I love them all, but I especially love the moody "Streets of Arklow", with magnificent recorder accompaniment by Jim Rothermel; the breezy opener "Fair Play" in which he begins his penchant for name dropping his favorite writers, clever at first but eventually run into the ground later in his career... "You Don't Pull No Punches...", in which he sings about a quest for spiritual enlightenment, known here as the Veedon Fleece; the jazzy "Cul De Sac" with a fearless, amazing vocal, "Who Was That Masked Man", in which Van does his best Smokey Robinson impersonation, and the closer, the gorgeous "Country Fair" which evokes a late summer evening vividly. It's a haunting tune you won't soon forget.

I could go on and on and probably still not adequately describe my affection for this album. Ever since I picked this up off the rack at age 15 (because I liked the beautiful cover-I had never listened to Morrison before!), I have considered this my favorite album. Sadly, I was one of the few...its commercial failure led Morrison to attack Warners for not promoting it and caused him to spend three years struggling with writers block to finally issue its follow-up, the more conventional A Period of Transition-a lackluster LP light years away from its predecessor. Veedon Fleece is a once-in-a-lifetime work that sounded like nothing out there back then and still sounds unique today, even when compared to Van's own catalogue.

I hope, that if I convince you to take a chance on this album, that you come to love it as much as I. If it was possible I'd give it ten stars.

Veedon Fleece is THE album in my collection that I keep coming back to over and again. I listen to it almost on a daily basis, and have been doing so ever since I bought it just about a year ago. This is the closest anyone has ever come to making a flawless album. The vocals are truly astounding, it's almost like if Van reaches a state of higher consciousness while singing. No one can sound like this but Van.

From the opening laidback masterpiece Fair Play to the beautifully soothing closer that is Country Fair, Veendon Fleece takes you for a ride that interacts with just about every emotion you have in your body. Linden Arden stole the highlights presents a totally jawdropping melodic transition between verse and chorus, Bulbs is just irresistibly joyous and catchy (albeit embedded in sarcasm), and Cul de Sac evokes the image of a protagonist singing with his heart hanging from a big black hole in his cheast.

Veedon Fleece is easily the best (and most underrated) album I have stumbled upon so far in my life, and I sincerely recommend it to everyone. Buy it, and it will soon become the one thing you take with you to a deserted island. Trust me. :o)

"Veedon Fleece" 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 boasts an upgraded booklet, a 96k/24 bit remaster and 2 bonus tracks for the first time.

Here's the layout (56:36 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 10 make the album originally released in October 1974 on Warner Brothers
Tracks 11 and 12 are Alternate Takes of "Twilight Zone" and "Cul De Sac" and both are previously unreleased exclusive bonus tracks

The band consisted of:
RALPH WALSH and JOHN TROPEA on Guitars
JEFF LABES and JAMES TRUMBO on Keyboards
JACK SCHROER on Soprano Sax
JIM RITHERMEL on Flute and Recorder
NATHAN RUBIN and TERRY ADAMS on Strings
DAVID HAYES and JOE MACHO on Bass
DAHOUD SHAAR and ALLEN SWARTZBURG on Drums and Percussion

Labes, Shaar, Schroer, Hayes and Nathan Rubin were all part of "The Caledonia Soul Orchestra" who toured with Van and produced the dynamite "It's Too Late To Stop Now" live double released in March of 1974. Tight and complimentary to his style, they knew what Van wanted when he went in to record "Veedon Fleece". The album is a slight return to the style of "Astral Weeks" song-writing - not verse/chorus - but more soulful meandering workouts heavy on the mystical lyrics and falsetto vocals. This style is particularly evident on the fabulous "You Don't Pull No Punches, But You Don't Push The River" which ended Side 1 of the album - an 8-minute strummer that gets its hooks into you and doesn't leave. The chipper "Bulbs" was issued as 7" single on both sides of the pond ("Cul De Sac" its B-side in the US, "Who Was That Masked Man?" in the UK).

Originally released on vinyl as a single sleeve album with a green insert for the session details, that same bland green is used on the booklet and inlay beneath the see-through tray - hardly original, nor exciting. There's no new interview, no photos, no singles pictured, no history of the record and its place in his catalogue - zip. The lyrics to "Twilight Zone" are reproduced though. Wow! Push the boat out boys!!

Also, the liner notes don't mention WHERE or WHEN the tapes were 96k/24 bit remastered and as the playing times are exactly the same as the 1996 remaster version, then that is what this is. Still, the sound is hugely improved over the initial CD releases, but a real downside for me is the sloppiness with which this has been remastered - there's very audible hiss on almost all of the tracks - and the hiss is at exactly the same level all the time - you can't help but feel that this was simply run through a machine without anyone trying to tweak or make better each individual track - like say you get on a HIP-O SELECT CD or a MOBILE FIDELITY disc. Effort put in - in other words.

The two bonus tracks are a mixed bag. As you've probably noticed, "Twilight Zone" wasn't on the original LP; it first appeared as an outtake from the "Veedon Fleece" sessions on the 2CD 1996 set "The Philosopher's Stone". The version on PS runs to 8:24 minutes and is presented on that set in superb sound quality; this take is shorter at 5:51 minutes and different - unfortunately it's also a lot more hissy and not as good as the PS version. "Cul De Sac" fares far better - it's very good - and more than an interesting curio. I'll be playing it again.

Overall, "Veedon Fleece" is a lovely album and a bit of a lost gem in his catalogue - and this remastered re-issue is recommended despite the slightly disappointing sound quality.

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 "Common One", "Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart", "Enlightenment", the live 2CD set "A Night In San Francisco" and "No Guru, No Method, No Teacher")

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).

when in 1975, I decided to buy my first van the man album (being hooked on Moondance after toe-tapping my way through the Gloria and Browen Eyed Girl days) I went to the bargain bins at the Record Service in Champaign and saw Veedon Fleece ... far different than what I expected, (and, owing to its placement in the bargain bins, the public, too) it lulled me, massaged me, then reeled me in and has become my all-time favorite album, and now, after three worn out copies, CD.... it became a ritual: at night, i used to listen to side one "the Fair Play" side, to fall into pleasant slumber, then, when I woke up, flip it to the "Bulbs" side for a nice pick me up, perk-me-up start of the day... the wide ranging music both stirs and soothes my soul, and Van's "barking" (or, as one reviewer called it, " the aargh" ) on side two is primally joyous... this album is simply beautiful

Everyone knows Moondance and Astral Weeks are great records -- but how about this one? Isn't it great to come across a forgotten treasure that hasn't been played to death on classic rock stations and flaunted on Hollywood soundtracks? I mean they're using Nick Drake to sell cars for chrissakes. OK...Back to the issue at hand-- this could be Van Morrison's most mature and satisfying record. Indeed, it doesn't have the stylistic variety of His Street Choir or St. Dominic's. And there's no "Domino" anywhere to be found. What Veedon Fleece does offer is a smooth, seamless masterpiece from start to finish. Every song is wonderful and leaves you wanting to hear the next. Just try and turn it off halfway through a side. The simple offhanded, impressionistic beauty of Come Here My Love just astounds me everytime I hear it. In someone else's hands this song could be a throwaway but Van creates a masterful inkwash sketch of sound.

BTW - My other nominees for great albums no one's heard are Paris 1919-John Cale and Henry the Human Fly-Richard Thompson. Any others?

"Veedon Fleece" was never one of Van Morrison's best-known albums, probably because it's difficult to categorize among the rest of his work. It's got soul, no question. But that trademark R&B-influenced belting Van's known for is tempered here by a quiet pastoral elegance. It's much folkier than anything he's done before or since.

This album's natural companion in the Van Morrison catalog is definitely "Astral Weeks." The acoustic-based folk sound of that landmark album is in abundance here. But where "Astral Weeks" veered off into breathtaking impressionism, "Veedon Fleece" keeps things relatively grounded, albeit with a sense of aloofness. You can't quite figure out what exactly Van is singing about most of the time, but that's probably part of the mystique...and one of the things that makes this brilliant album so compelling.

I've only given it two or three complete listens so far, and my immediate impressions are strong. My favorite song so far is probably the most upbeat one, the country-flavored "Bulbs" (it sounds a lot like the Band). Elsewhere, the jazzy, soulful opener "Fair Play" and the gorgeous "Cul de Sac" are other highlights.

It's definitely not Van's most commercially savvy release, but that's never something he's cared about. Van Morrison has always taken chances and strived for beautiful music over sales figures.

It really doesn't get any better than this. If we were able to give 10 stars, i'd give it eleven. You start with "Fair Play". Just listen to the melody and flow of Van's singing. You're already in the stratosphere of supremely beautiful music. Then "Linden" makes you wonder how anyone could ever write and sing the way Van does on this album. It shows you the first song was no accident. Flowing right into "Masked Man", you're amazed at how music so beautiful can be sustained. Just when you think the first songs are enough to secure the greatness of the album, to be listened to forever, "Pull No Punches" takes you to a new level. Van gnaws, tears, and rips at his emotions, then licks the blood. It can be an emotionally exhausting experience getting through this song, and probably shouldn't be listened to when it isn't. Sweating, tired, and out of breath, "Comfort You" is a very sweet and gentle song that brings you back to Earth feeling good about all things human. It takes a while to feel this way about the album, but it's a nice journey all along the way.

How many indispensable recordings can one guy release in a spectacular career? Enough for something important to get lost in the shuffle? Well, not for fellow musicians and the knowledgeable fans who have apparently treasured Veedon Fleece as a pinnacle of caledonio soul. (I read somewhere that Sinead O'Connor listens to it before each of her performances.) But feeling satiated by Astral Weeks, Moondance, St. Dominic's, Too Late to Stop, Into the Music, etc., somehow I apparently didn't give the original Veedon lp near the attention it deserved.

Fortunate really, cause with all the remastering being done these days it's actually a relief to be able to acquire a cd that I haven't long ago purchased before the sonic clarity and bonus tracks. Also, what a hell of a great album to finally get into. The Man is so deep into his emotions here that the music truly cuts to the bone. What a great excuse to get back into the mystic.

I think a case can be made that this is Van Morrison's third greatest album. While that might not be eye-opening praise for most artists, it is for the man who released Astral Weeks and Moondance, two of the greatest albums in popular music history. Of the other five I consider essential, I place this above Tupelo Honey and St. Dominic's Preview, each of which reflect a schizophrenic approach to album-making that forced Van to juxtapose his sprawling lengthy compositions with three-minute, radio-friendly songs. Jackie Wilson Said and Wild Night are fine singles but some of the other shorter tunes on these albums have the feel of filler. Veedon Fleece is on the level of His Band and The Streetchoir and Into the Music, but the first lacks any Van epics and the second has a few songs I rarely listen to.

As for this album, I'll admit to not "getting it" at first. It sounded weird to me despite my love of Van and I put it aside for a long time. Once I finally got into it, though, I was blown away. The first five songs represent a beautiful mini-album that would probably be more confusing to the unfamiliar listener thatn even Astral Weeks, which itself sounds like no other rock album. Bulbs is probably the most accessible track on the album, but it is not in the leadoff spot like Domino, Jackie Wilson Said and Wild Night, a fact which seems to demonstrate the anti-commercial approach of this album. It falls off a bit after that for me, but remains a great album on the strength of its first six tracks. I think if you combined the first half of this with the second half of Into the Music, you would have an album to rival Astral Weeks. As it is, this is probably the best of the second-tier Van albums, which is still a lofty place to be.

I heard "Linden Arden" and bought the LP on its release in '74. I had heard "St Dominic's" and though it OK but "Veedon Fleece" quickly became a Top Ten album and remains so to this day. No one else seemed to react the same way to the marvellous irish folk influences and acoustic rhythms of "Country Fair", "Streets of Arklow", "Comfort You" and it became the "lost" album for many years - some fans have still never heard of it! Give it a chance - "Fair Play" is about my favourite track of all time, "Linden Arden" is incredible, "You Don't Pull No Punches" simply brilliant - it's like the whole album was recorded in a single take. Van's falsetto singing is great, there's so much feeling in his voice you have to respond to him (even when you don't understand the damn lyrics). Easily as good as "Moondance", "Astral Weeks". Don't say you haven't been told.