Back on Top

• Artist: Van Morrison
• Rating:
• Release Date: March 09, 1999
• Total Time: 52:08
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Rock

Review

After so many songs ranging through so many styles, it is a pleasure to have Van Morrison return to the music that suits him so well. Steeped in blues and R&B, Back on Top finds Morrison celebrating life and its pleasures to the limit. The up-tempo "New Biography" takes a sharp stab at those who say they know him just so they can see their names in print. "Golden Autumn Day" is a near perfect summation of his music up to today and provides a rare glimpse into his personal life as well. On this and other cuts, Morrison sounds like he's taken a lesson or two from tourmate Bob Dylan, and there's a thread that runs from Dylan's recent work right on through to this one. "Goin' Down Geneva" is a great blues cut, while "In the Midnight" is bedroom music, pure and simple. "Back on Top," the title track, swings along with such ease that you're tempted to check and make sure you didn't put in Moondance by mistake. The meditative "When the Leaves Come Falling Down" even will remind one of Morrison's meditations on Astral Weeks. No matter which track you pick, there's not a weak cut here. ~ James Chrispell, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Goin' Down Geneva	Van Morrison	Van Morrison	(4:24)
Philosophers Stone	Van Morrison	Van Morrison	(6:05)
In the Midnight	Van Morrison	Van Morrison	(5:07)
Back on Top	Van Morrison	Van Morrison	(4:23)
When the Leaves Come Falling Down	Van Morrison	Van Morrison	(5:39)
High Summer	Van Morrison	Van Morrison	(5:12)
Reminds Me of You	Van Morrison	Van Morrison	(5:39)
New Biography	Van Morrison	Van Morrison	(5:23)
Precious Time	Van Morrison	Van Morrison	(3:45)
Golden Autumn Day	Van Morrison	Van Morrison	(6:31)

Credits

Pee Wee Ellis (Sax (Baritone)), Pee Wee Ellis (Sax (Soprano)), Pee Wee Ellis (Sax (Tenor)), Pee Wee Ellis (Vocals (Background)), Brian Kennedy (Vocals (Background)), Geraint Watkins (Piano), Geraint Watkins (Organ (Hammond)), Liam Bradley (Percussion), Liam Bradley (Drums), Liam Bradley (Vocals (Background)), Paul Cox (Photography), Mick Green (Guitar (Acoustic)), Mick Green (Guitar (Electric)), Bobby Irwin (Drums), Ian Jennings (Double Bass), Brian Masterson (Engineer), Van Morrison (Guitar (Acoustic)), Van Morrison (Harmonica), Van Morrison (Vocals), Van Morrison (Producer), Van Morrison (Main Performer), Walter Samuel (Engineer), Walter Samuel (Mixing), Fiachra Trench (Piano), Fiachra Trench (Mixing), Matt Curtis (Artwork), Matt Curtis (Design), Matt Curtis (Photography), Brad Wilson (Photography), Sean Doherty (Assistant Engineer), Ciáran Cahil (Assistant Engineer), Matt Holland (Trumpet), Ian Cooper (Mastering)