Album reviews: Van Morrison, Maria Doyle Kennedy and Sufjan Stevens

A late-career highlight from the Belfast musician, a double album from the Irish songwriter and instrumental tracks from the American singer/songwriter are reviewed this week

Van Morrison: his new album displays an innate understanding of what swings with unusually direct lyrics

R&B/SOUL

Van Morrison

Latest Record Project Volume 1 (BMG)

Van Morrison may not have enjoyed his lockdown experiences, but they have enabled him to write almost 30 songs that, musically at least, demonstrate his continuing love of soul, jazz, blues/R&B along with his well-publicised cantankerous sensibilities. There are some very fine tracks here: the likes of Tried to Do the Right Thing, A Few Bars Early, Love Should Come With a Warning, and Jealousy mix ...