True to its name, ‘Tupelo Honey’ is sweet. But it’s much more than that. It’s happy, beautifully, melodious and celebratory, guiding the choice of this album for the first review of 2016.

This was the stage in his life when Van Morrison felt at peace and harmony with his life, experiencing marital bliss at a Woodstock farmhouse after achieving success, both critical and popular. The blissful photographs on the LP cover and sleeves convey the same harmony and so does the music.

The album opens with the partying R&B induced hit, Wild Night, before moving on to the more romantic, soft and idyllic numbers. Remarkable amongst them are Starting A New Life, You Are My Woman, Old Old Woodstock.

But what really takes the cake and its icing is the title track. Tupelo Honey is perhaps one of the most incredible devotional love song that has ever been composed in the history of popular music. You just have to hear the man sing, “She’s an angel of the first degree, ‘She’s as sweet as tupelo honey………”. With the right amount of flute, piano and guitar you taste the sweetness of this sacred love. Of course, Van (Morrison) went on to do many more such songs later, but nothing really surpasses this one.

The album ends with coming back to a partying song, Moonshine Whiskey, completing the circle.

My relationship (yes, I call it a relationship) with Van the Man began 17 years ago because of ‘The Best of Van Morrison’ album I had randomly picked up without knowing anything about him beyond a Brown Eyed Girl. I loved everything that was inside this cassette and there has been no looking back since then. His music has become like a home for me where I feel comfortable no matter what my state is.

Today I have some of his stunning albums on LP as my prized possessions and on quiet evenings, from my turntable,sometimes he whispers, ‘ The love’s to love the love’s to love the love’s to love…Say goodbye to Madame George’. But that’s for another review.

Right now, go look for some Moonshine Whiskey’and have a Wild Night.

Happy 2016!

Year: 1971

Genre: Rock, Folk Rock, Soul, Country

Duration: 40:42

Label: Warner, Polydor

Producer: Van Morrison, Ted Templeton

Rating: ****1/2

Reviewed by Meraj Hasan

Meraj Hasan is a Mumbai based communication professional (and an amateur poet/musician) with a passion for listening to music the vinyl way. His 25 year old Technics turntable along with a humble collection of LPs across genres like Classic rock, Classical, Blues and Jazz (amongst others) are his prized possessions.

He can be reached at +91 9833410791 or email: meraj.hasan@gmail.com .