Released 10 years ago
Keep Me Singing
Van Morrison · 2016
56 min · 13 tracks · jazz fusion
A reflective blend of blues, jazz, and folk that captures a late-career warmth and lyrical introspection.
Top tracks — play these first
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Let It Rhyme Start here — This opening track establishes the album's contemplative mood with its soothing melody and thoughtful lyrics about accepting life's uncertainties.
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Every Time I See a River — The song's poignant imagery evokes nostalgia while showcasing Morrison's ability to intertwine personal reflection with universal themes.
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Keep Me Singing — As the title track, it encapsulates the essence of the album's message—an affirmation of the healing power of music amid life's challenges.
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Holy Guardian Angel — This track highlights Morrison's spiritual side, combining soulful instrumentation with lyrics that evoke protection and guidance from higher powers.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends reflective songwriting with strong musicianship, creating a warm late-career sound.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo groove, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and instrumentation.
- The lyrics often reflect personal themes and storytelling, with Morrison's vocal delivery emphasizing emotional nuance.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for reflective moments
- rich storytelling in every track
- warm vocals for cozy evenings
- consistent flow for deep listening
- soulful melodies for introspective moods
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant high-energy tracks
- prefer standalone singles over albums
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality with cohesive sound and lyrical introspection in later career.
- Themes
- nostalgic rivers· spiritual reflection· musical solace
- Career context
- Released on September 30, 2016, Keep Me Singing marks Van Morrison's 36th studio album, following the critically acclaimed Duets: Re-Working the Catalogue. At this stage in his career, Morrison was celebrated as a seasoned artist who continued to explore themes of love, memory, and spirituality with a mature lens.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Leonard Cohen· Bob Dylan· John Hiatt
Tracklist
- 1 Let It Rhyme Start here 3:54
- 2 Every Time I See a River 4:43
- 3 Keep Me Singing 3:40
- 4 Out in the Cold Again 7:07
- 5 Memory Lane 4:09
- 6 The Pen Is Mightier Than the Sword 3:51
- 7 Holy Guardian Angel 6:19
- 8 Share Your Love with Me 4:11
- 9 In Tiburon 5:18
- 10 Look Behind the Hill 2:28
- 11 Going Down to Bangor 5:18
- 12 Too Late 2:49
- 13 Caledonia Swing 2:54
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
Similar blend of introspective lyrics and rich, soulful instrumentation with a reflective atmosphere.
Day Breaks
Norah Jones
Combines jazz-infused melodies with personal storytelling, evoking warmth and nostalgia.
The Search for Everything
John Mayer
Explores themes of introspection and emotional solace with a blend of bluesy guitar and soulful vocals.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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