Personnel: Van Morrison (vocals, acoustic guitar); John Tropea, Ralph Walsh (guitar); Terry Adams, Nathan Rubin (strings); Jim Rothermel (flute, recorder); Jack Schroer (soprano saxophone); James Trumbo, Jeff Labes (keyboards); David Hayes, Joe Macho (bass instrument); Dahaud Shaar, Allen Swartzburg (drums).

Recording information: Caledonia Studios, Caledonia, California; Mercury Studios, New York, New York.

Following the blues and soul excursions of Morrison's early-'70s albums, VEEDON FLEECE returns to the dreamy, impressionistic folk-jazz sound of ASTRAL WEEKS. Temporarily forsaking the R&B growl he previously employed, Morrison explores his upper vocal range on several songs here, making good use of his falsetto. Songs turn from the romantic and spiritual (the transcendent ballad "Come Here My Love") to the impenetrably elliptical ("Linden Arden Stole The Highlights"). Throughout, Morrison's heady, improvisational vocal style weaves its way through a mystical, mostly acoustic soundscape that is often low-key but never less than engaging. VEEDON FLEECE is a beautiful and too-often underappreciated masterpiece.

Q (5/95, p.125) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "...An acoustic, folksy, gently meditative Irish album....shows the first traces of his subsequent fixation with William Blake..."