What does The Prophet Speaks sound like?

A soulful blend of jazz and blues textures, steeped in Morrison's signature poetic storytelling and rich vocal delivery. Rooted in jazz fusion and Celtic music. Start with "Gonna Send You Back to Where I Got You From".

Is The Prophet Speaks a good place to start with Van Morrison?

Yes, The Prophet Speaks is recommended as a starting point for new Van Morrison listeners. A soulful blend of jazz and blues textures, steeped in Morrison's signature poetic storytelling and rich vocal delivery. By the time of its release in December 2018, Van Morrison was already a seasoned artist with a lengthy catalog that included classics like 'Astral Weeks' and 'Moondance'. 'The Prophet Speaks' marked his 40th studio album, showcasing his continued prolific output and ability to innovate within the realms of jazz and soul. This album followed the 2017 release 'Versatile', further cementing his status as a stalwart of contemporary music.

Who is The Prophet Speaks for?

The Prophet Speaks works well if you're into dynamic journey with emotional peaks, soulful reflections for quiet moments and headphone detail hunting and discovery.

How many songs are on The Prophet Speaks?

The Prophet Speaks has 14 tracks, running approximately 69 minutes.

The Prophet Speaks

Van Morrison · 2018

69 min · 14 tracks · jazz fusion

A soulful blend of jazz and blues textures, steeped in Morrison's signature poetic storytelling and rich vocal delivery.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Gonna Send You Back to Where I Got You From Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its infectious groove and dynamic instrumentation, illustrating Morrison's skill in fusing classic R&B with contemporary sound.
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Teardrops — In this poignant piece, Morrison's emotive vocals convey a deep sense of heartache, complemented by lush arrangements that highlight his jazz influences.
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The Prophet Speaks — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of wisdom and introspection, featuring Morrison's reflective lyrics set against a rich musical backdrop.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

55 /100

Foothills

Higher than 45% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid craftsmanship and a blend of styles, but lacks standout compositions that elevate it further.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with a strong rhythmic drive, while the second half transitions to slower, more reflective pieces.

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: 8/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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

dynamic journey with emotional peaks
soulful reflections for quiet moments
headphone detail hunting and discovery
uplifting vibes for afternoon relaxation

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and artistry in Morrison's later years.
Themes: soulful reflections· Celtic blues landscapes· wisdom of age
Career context: By the time of its release in December 2018, Van Morrison was already a seasoned artist with a lengthy catalog that included classics like 'Astral Weeks' and 'Moondance'. 'The Prophet Speaks' marked his 40th studio album, showcasing his continued prolific output and ability to innovate within the realms of jazz and soul. This album followed the 2017 release 'Versatile', further cementing his status as a stalwart of contemporary music.
Stylistic neighbors: Leonard Cohen· Bob Dylan· John Hiatt