Is Roll with the Punches a good place to start with Van Morrison?

Yes, Roll with the Punches is recommended as a starting point for new Van Morrison listeners. A soulful blend of blues and jazz-inflected rock, showcasing timeless storytelling through rich instrumentation and Morrison's distinctive vocals. By the time of its release in 2017, Van Morrison was a seasoned artist with a career spanning over five decades. 'Roll with the Punches' followed his previous album, 'Keep Me Singing,' and marked his ongoing exploration of blues and jazz influences, reflecting both maturity and resilience in his songwriting.

Who is Roll with the Punches for?

Roll with the Punches works well if you're into wave-like pacing with peaks, soulful storytelling throughout journey and late-night reflective listening.

How many songs are on Roll with the Punches?

Roll with the Punches has 15 tracks, running approximately 63 minutes.

Roll with the Punches

Van Morrison · 2017

63 min · 15 tracks · jazz fusion

A soulful blend of blues and jazz-inflected rock, showcasing timeless storytelling through rich instrumentation and Morrison's distinctive vocals.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Roll With the Punches Start here — The title track opens the album with an energetic rhythm that encapsulates the themes of perseverance and resilience found throughout the record.
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Goin’ to Chicago — This track showcases Morrison's deep connection to the blues tradition, delivering a vibrant interpretation that pays homage while adding his signature flair.
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Bring It on Home to Me — Morrison’s rendition of this classic highlights his emotive vocal delivery and ability to breathe new life into familiar material, resonating with both nostalgia and innovation.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends original and cover tracks with varied pacing, showcasing Morrison's vocal style and musicianship.

What we noticed

Several tracks incorporate extended instrumental sections, allowing for improvisation and interaction among musicians.
The pacing varies significantly, with some tracks maintaining a steady groove while others shift to more reflective tempos.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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

wave-like pacing with peaks
soulful storytelling throughout journey
late-night reflective listening
bluesy warmth for gatherings
dynamic contrasts in emotions

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced instant gratification
seek standalone hit singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and engagement with classic sounds in later career.
Themes: Chicago blues roots· musical legacy tribute
Career context: By the time of its release in 2017, Van Morrison was a seasoned artist with a career spanning over five decades. 'Roll with the Punches' followed his previous album, 'Keep Me Singing,' and marked his ongoing exploration of blues and jazz influences, reflecting both maturity and resilience in his songwriting.
Stylistic neighbors: Leonard Cohen· Bob Dylan· John Hiatt