"Into The Music" is the eleventh studio album by Northern Irish singer/songwriter Van Morrison, released in 1979.
Typical of Morrison's music, the album draws on a variety of styles, from New Orleans R&B to Philly soul and Celtic folk, with featured soloists, saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis and violinist Toni Marcus. "Into The Music" may not seem like a great Van Morrison record, one of his very best, upon first listen, especially if you're trying to compare it to such masterpieces as "Astral Weeks" and "Moondance", or even "Tupelo Honey". Yet this is certainly one of his best records, one that is quietly winning and thoroughly ingratiating, sounding stronger, even irresistible, with each new spin. In a sense, this is the definitive post-classic-era Morrison, since it summarizes all of his attributes while showcasing each at a peak. Musically, this is a little harder and rootsier than its two predecessors, but only a little; this is still remarkably relaxed music, where the charm is in its ease of delivery and compositions. The difference, there's more grit in the performances, more substance in the songs, letting Van the craftsman shine through along with his spirituality and grace. There may be no masterworks on the level of his early-'70s records, but these are deft, subtle songs that are full-bodied songs, unlike their counterparts on this album's immediate predecessors or successors. There's little question that this is not a knockout record, and some could even be excused if they find its charms elusive -- but once you've entered Van's sizable cult, few records sound as much like Morrison as this, a record that served as culmination of where he was coming from and served as blueprint for where he was going.
Track listing
01. "Bright Side of the Road" (Morrison) - 3:47
02. "Full Force Gale" (Morrison) - 3:14
03. "Steppin' Out Queen" (Morrison) - 5:28
04. "Troubadours" (Morrison) - 4:41
05. "Rolling Hills" (Morrison) - 2:53
06. "You Make Me Feel So Free" (Morrison) - 4:09
07. "Angeliou" (Morrison) - 6:48
08. "And the Healing Has Begun" (Morrison) - 7:59
09. "It's All in the Game" (Charles Dawes, Carl Sigman) - 4:39
10. "You Know What They're Writing About" (Morrison) - 6:10
Released: August, 1979
Recorded at: Record Plant, Sausalito
Genre: Celtic, Pop
Length: 49:30
Label: Mercury
Produced by: Van Morrison, Mick Glossop
Personnel
Van Morrison - vocals, guitar, harmonica
Herbie Armstrong - guitar, backing vocals
Pee Wee Ellis - tenor saxophone
David Hayes - bass
Mark Isham - trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet
Mark Jordan - piano
Katie Kissoon - backing vocals
Toni Marcus - mandolin, violin, viola, stroviola
Peter Van Hooke - drums
John Allair - organ
Ry Cooder - slide guitar
Zakir Hussain - tabla
Robin Williamson - penny whistle
Kurt Wortman - drums
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