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VAN MORRISON - PAY THE DEVIL (180g LP)

VAN MORRISON/PAY THE DEVIL (180g LP)

Van Morrison has joined his third record label in three years, as his forthcoming Pay the Devil album will be released by Lost Highway. The record is said to be more country-leaning than the veteran singer/songwriter's earlier work, so Lost Highway seems like a good fit for the 15-track release, which will arrive in stores on March 7. Morrison's Magic Time album was released last May by Geffen and his 2004 release, What's Wrong With This Picture?, came out on Blue Note.

In addition to original material, Pay The Devil includes a number of covers, including Webb Pierce's 'There Stands The Glass,' Hank Williams' 'Your Cheatin' Heart,' Conway Twitty's 'What Am I Living For,' Emmylou Harris' ''Til I Gain Control,' Big Joe Turner's 'Don't You Make Me High' and George Jones' 'Things Have Gone To Pieces.'

Famed Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison is known for taking chances with each new album. He's recorded rock, blues, R&B, jazz and traditional Irish folk music, all with great success. Morrison's latest endeavor takes him in a country music direction.  

With Van Morrison's solo career approaching 40 years, fans can finally take heed in knowing that, yes, Van can sing anything, including country.  

Pay The Devil

Because country music shares a common bond with folk and blues, it's no surprise that at age 60, Van Morrison decided to go country on Pay The Devil.  But of course, no one knows for sure that if Van's 'going country' also means he'll be wearing a cowboy hat behind the wheel of a pickup truck. Not likely.  

It's easy to see why a song sung by Van Morrison is so accessible. No matter what the style, even country, they always sound as if they're being performed for the first time. One of the album's originals 'This Has Got To Stop' is no exception; fresh and simple and perfectly suited to Morrison's world-weary temperament. 

You don't have to be an expert to recognize one Hank Williams tune. Singing 'Your Cheatin' Heart,' Van Morrison almost makes you forget that his first love was jazz.  

Van credits his father, a shipyard worker, for introducing him to American jazz and blues at home in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He learned to play guitar, saxophone and harmonica, and after stints in various Irish rock bands, he went solo. He launched his career playing 'blue-eyed soul,' a combination of jazz and R&B with a touch of Celtic folk that has sustained him through rock and roll's peaks and valleys. 

No matter what the outcome, Van Morrison forges ahead. And while some may scratch their head and ask, 'Van Morrison has a country album?', others will applaud his mastery of such long-forgotten standards as 'Big Blue Diamonds.'

1. There Stands The Glass 
2. Half As Much 
3. Things Have Gone To Pieces 
4. Big Blue Diamonds 
5. Playhouse 
6. Your Cheatin' Heart 
7. Don't You Make Me High 
8. My Buckets Got A Hole In It 
9. Back Street Affair 
10. Pay The Devil 
11. What Am I Living For 
12. This Has Got To Stop 
13. Once A Day 
14. More and More 
15. Till I Gain Control Again