"There's nothing to relate to anymore, unless you want to be mediocre." So Van the Man laments the music industry on new track 'Whatever Happened To PJ Proby?'.
Sad then, that the distinctly average contents of his latest opus reveal a lack of fire and inspiration in the man who brought us such glories as 'Gloria', 'Moondance', 'Brown Eyed Girl', 'Jackie Wilson Said' and 'TB sheets'. 'Down (The Middle Of ) The Road' more like.
As the album sleeve picture suggests - a small, olde worlde record shop with vinyl long players from Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, Louis Armstrong, James Brown and BB King hanging in the window - 'Down The Road' is a journey through Van's favoured Fifties and Sixties blues and R&B territory.
The album is well performed, with fat brass, rippling keys and swish strings fleshing out tender ballads, and locomotive bluesy chugs. It's even warmly and roundly produced by the Man himself. But, for whatever reason, that huge Morrison heart, fierce spirited vocal and ear for memorable melody are strangely absent.
In a career spanning more than thirty years, maintaining the quality and emotional intensity of your music has to be a tough old chore. But hell, even Van's version of Hoagy Carmichael's classic 'Georgia On My Mind' would be pipped at the post for sincerity by a 3am, ten pint karaoke rendition.
Indeed, the only flickering embers of hope here come from the gorgeously lilting Celtic folk of 'Steal My Heart Away', the life-loving, Drifters-style R&B of recent single 'Hey Mr DJ', and the slinky, swaying blues of the Acker Bilk-penned 'Evening Shadows' - featuring the man himself on clarinet.
For the most part though, with this workmanlike offering, Van is losing his bout against mediocrity. Lets hope that he won't be on the ropes for long.
