Saint Dominic's Preview [Original recording remastered]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Conceived in the wake of his bucolic classics, Moondance and Tupelo Honey, 1972's Saint Dominic's Preview sustains their mix of crisp R&B ("Jackie Wilson Said") and anthemic folk-rock ("Almost Independence Day") while insinuating a darker, warier spirit to Morrison's music. In what would amount to the first major installment in an ongoing cycle of digs at the music business, the title song pits the singer's authentic art against the false idols of the predators and sycophants surrounding him--a familiar Morrison theme decades on but given a soulful urgency here that makes it tough to dismiss as the ravings of a career curmudgeon. --Sam Sutherland

Tracks:

Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)
Gypsy
I Will Be There
Listen To The Lion
Saint Dominic's Preview
Redwood Tree
Almost Independence Day

Amazon.com essential recording

Conceived in the wake of his bucolic classics, Moondance and Tupelo Honey, 1972's Saint Dominic's Preview sustains their mix of crisp R&B ("Jackie Wilson Said") and anthemic folk-rock ("Almost Independence Day") while insinuating a darker, warier spirit to Morrison's music. In what would amount to the first major installment in an ongoing cycle of digs at the music business, the title song pits the singer's authentic art against the false idols of the predators and sycophants surrounding him--a familiar Morrison theme decades on but given a soulful urgency here that makes it tough to dismiss as the ravings of a career curmudgeon. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

Decent but indulgent - first three-and-a-half tracks own, though.......2007-06-06

The potential to best arguably even Astral Weeks is certainly in this album, more so than any other of Van's discs but Veedon Fleece (I like Moondance, but I don't see it as the unbeatable classic it's made out to be by critics). But Van gets so wrapped up in himself in some spots it's unbelievable. A fine example is Listen to the Lion. I dig this song's pleasant Astral Weeks vibe, but no way is it a ten-minute song - it's far too repetitive to be that, and in truth Van's scatting irritates me. The failed goal was probably to emulate one of Dylan's two famous long-format album closers, Desolation Row and Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands (I see Sad-Eyed Lady as the best comparison), but it simply doesn't have what it takes to match either. By the time it finally winds to its close, you wish the recording engineer had said "enough is enough!" and put his foot down ages ago. Almost Independence Day (the other el longo songo) is even worse - droning Moog synth, frankly boring lyrics, and a riff copied from the first half of Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here riff. Thanks, but no thanks. And while the mid-length title track has a catchy refrain and enjoyable country-gospel feel (a la Tupelo Honey), even it goes on a minute longer than needed. Morrison then turns around and recasts it as Redwood Tree, which is a filler, nothing else. But the first three tracks make this a recommended album. Jackie Wilson Said was the obligatory hit, and I love the song, an infectuous R&B shouter; Gypsy goes again for the Astral Weeks feel and pulls it off, with an unusual time signature switch (from 4/4 to 3/4 - in other words, he occasionally subtracts a beat), and I Will Be There grooves along pleasantly, sounding somewhat like a more R&B-leaning Doctor John.

One of his greatest.......2007-02-26

For some reason, this is one of his lesser known works. However, it is comfortably one of the best - alongside Moondance and Astral Weeks. However, the cd remaster is pox. There is no bass. Zip,Zero. Nada. To qualify that comment, I am a bit of an audiophile, use great sounding components - Arcam, Plinius, Magneplanar - and have the album on vinyl. The vinyl sounds great - rich and warm. Why are there no decent remasters of such an important, revered and basically great artist?!?

Get it.......2007-02-26

I tried to order this album from Amazon last year and they kept telling me it was coming and then finally said they couldn't get it. I dont know why it is not available because it is up there with Astral Weeks and Back on Top as his best albums. "Listen to the Lion" is a masterpiece. I saw him sing it in the Troubadour in LA in May 1973 and it was one of the two or three great concert moments--the live recording on Too Late to Stop doesn't do it justice and the original is still definitive. Nothing else on the album is quite in that class but Independence Day and Redwood Tree are first rate, as is the bluesy I will be THere. I finally bought an AON turntable and made a digital recording of my old album because I wanted it on my IPOD. It was the first vinyl I digitized. Get it anyway you can if you love Van

one of the 5 van morrison must-haves........2007-02-24

van morrison has recorded over 30 albums and all of them are worth owning. i would say, however, that only 5 of them are essential must-haves classics. these five are astral weeks, veedon fleece, moondance, it's too late to stop now, and saint dominic's preview. released in 1972, saint dominic's preview kicks off with wild exuberance on the track "jackie wilson said." "gypsy" is also upbeat and energetic and wonderful. however, it is the three longer, slower and moodier tracks, "listen to the lion," "saint dominic's preview," and "almost independence day," that really make this album a stunner. all van morrison fans must get this recording, and all fans of early 70's rock should do the same.

WHATS THE DEAL? .......2007-01-19

Out of the vast catalouge of Van Morrison albums, there are probably only enough to count on one hand that I really enjoy... that should go without saying that they are his earlier ones. I can't knock on his later stuff, so much, as I just guess they are over my head (still, just can't listen to 'em.) I don't like the way he has progressed- in fact, I like the THEM version of Van Morrison the best, when he was still churning out sixties garage stuff. After becoming a solo artist, it didn't take long for him to begin experimenting with different styles.
This album however is up there on my list of Van Morrison albums that I dig...and for some reason it is virtually unavailable (listed here only as a thirty dollar import). What gives?
I don't usually admit to stuff like this, but I stole this disc from my library years ago.. I don't suggest you do the same, but maybe your local library has it- in which case its worth checking out, if you like the sound of old Van Morrison. A better half of the album is compised of songs that exceed the ten minute mark, the ones where Van just keeps rambling. They are all pretty good to play at dinner or something, but my favorite song has to be GYPSY. That song just rolls, and is pretty rockin' for a Van Morrison song. JACKIE WILSON, is another fave, and I WILL BE THERE also a nice bluesy one.
I cant understand why this on is unavailable, when so many of his crappy later CD's are available in bushels. I feel it is my duty to unearth this rarity.

Average customer rating:

Perfect blend of catchy pop and Celtic soul

Saint Dominic's Preview
Van Morrison
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | R&B | Styles | Music

Blue-Eyed Soul | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00000E9M2
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile)
Gypsy
I Will Be There
Listen to the Lion
Saint Dominic's Preview
Redwood Tree
Almost Independence Day

Customer Reviews:

Perfect blend of catchy pop and Celtic soul.......2003-09-01

Here Van Morrison has found the perfect balance between catchy, immediately accessible pop songs and the longer, atmospheric explorations that characterize his most serious work. The familiar Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile), a joyful celebration of life and music, opens this album of consistent quality and legendary songs. Gypsy is a tuneful rollicking number with a singalong chorus, whilst I Will Be There with its great keyboards and sax reverts to Morrison's familiar R&B territory. The mystical excursion Listen To The Lion is a masterpiece of spiritual yearning where Van uses his voice as an instrument at times, moaning and growling along with the music. The title track is another gem, this time with a west coast country rock sound. The melodic Redwood Tree is followed by another of his classic pieces, the sprawling Almost Independence Day with its profound lyrics and soulful feel. St Dominic's Preview is a brilliant album packed with great songs in a variety of styles that Morrison had mastered and made his own at this stage in his career.

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