Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Following the likes of Ray Charles and Bobby Womack, Van Morrison becomes one of the few soul singers to record a country album. Pay the Devil comprises covers of a dozen country standards and three Morrison originals in the same tradition. In some cases, the delivery doesn't quite fit the material: after the simple yearning of Hank Williams' version, Morrison's attempts to wrest something more overtly soulful out of "Half As Much" simply capsize the song. By contrast, he does a jaunty reading of "My Bucket's Got a Hole in It" - a song that wouldn't really profit from any more emotive involvement - and is at his best on a lovely version of Billy Wallace's "Back Street Affair", where he simply lets the timbre of his voice do the work, and doesn't force it. Likewise, he sounds completely at ease on his own "Playhouse" and "This Has Got To Stop", less anxious to stamp his character on the songs. Elsewhere, there's a languid, swingy version of "Don't You Make Me High", a risqué number once covered with rather more sly innuendo by Maria Muldaur, while Geraint Watkins' piano and Fiachra Trench's string arrangement lend "What Am I Living For?" a tone closely akin to Ray Charles's country outings.
DOWNLOAD THIS: 'Back Street Affair', 'Playhouse', 'My Bucket's Got a Hole in It'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments