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Van Morrison "Duets"

I just purchased this album and can say that this is the first album I have received in a year or so that does not have any problems with surface noise, dishes or warps. The over all engineering is good to very good and coupled with quiet vinyl and decent remakes of his back catalog is an enjoyable listen.

The mix at times it a bit out of sorts but that is coming from a recording engineer's ears and you may or may not agree. However, I think for Van fans you are in for a treat. What you get is good performances, good engineering and a very clean and quiet pressing. Something that is not too common today. Also, you get 2 albums for around $20.00. Yes, they are shorter sides but that can increase the quality of the pressing.
raymonda
mapman's avatar
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mapman
15,679 posts
 
"What you get is good performances, good engineering and a very clean and quiet pressing. Something that is not too common today. "

Gotta ask why buy the vinyl when a good experience is not so common?

I don't find it a problem at all these days with good modern digital/CDs.

I only buy good used vinyl on the cheap mainly from the golden age. There is a lot of value to had there.

So any particularly good performances on the album? When Van is good he is very good. When he's not, eh... He still seems to mostly turn it on and off over time but age gotta be catching up to him somewhat. But I could see a good duets project working for him so will probably pick this up sometime (on CD).
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
Duets disappoints. Van needs to find his way 'back', where most of his great music was produced. Hey, nobody can be great every day.
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viridian
4,184 posts
 
The one that cracked me up was "Pay The Devil" his foray into American country music of a few years back. To say that he clearly did not understand the idiom is not enough; at times it seemed that he did not even understand the words. Makes one get it when they say that America and the UK are divided by a common language.
musicpod
150 posts
 
I'm with Miner42 on this one.
raymonda OP
847 posts
 
Map man, because IMO in the end it is worth it. I listen to and enjoy vinyl more......and this is coming from someone who is a recording engineer that only works in digital.........due to cost. Although, I do enjoy my recordings and mixes....which I listen to more often. I rarely if ever listen to CDs.

I like:

Some Peace of Mind
If I ever needed someone
PJ Proby
These are the days
Rough riding
Fire in the belly
Irish heart
How can a poor boy

For those that don't like the idea that these have already been released, pretend you are at a concert and Van has special guest that join him for these songs. You might enjoy them.

BTW, I agree with "play the devil". That was the worse album ever release by Van. I bought it on vinyl when it came out.....listened to it a few times to give it a chance but even after trying 10 years later I think it was a failure.
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