Dez Recommends Van Morrison's St. Dominic's Preview, 1972

Van Morrison has made many great records, many of them featuring transcendent moments. But he has made three perfect records. One is 1968’s Astral Weeks, which stands alone in pop music. The second is one of the greatest live albums ever made, 1974’s It’s Too Late To Stop Now. And the third is 1972’s St. Dominic’s Preview. SDP is somewhat overshadowed by the trilogy of records that came before (Moondance, His Band and Street Choir and Tupelo Honey), but SDP is better than any of those other more celebrated albums.

I’ve always enjoyed individual cuts from SDP, but only recently did I start to appreciate it as a whole piece. Perhaps it is more overlooked due to its eclectic styles. Whereas Van’s records in the early to mid-70’s had a real cohesive feel within each record, SDP is quite diverse. But this is its strength.

Van opens with one of his most exuberant soul ravers, “Jackie Wilson Said (I’m In Heaven When You Smile).” It is about as much joy as you can pack into three minutes of music. Then he moves into what is the weakest track on the record, the catchy acoustic rocker “Gypsy.” Then we get a great three minute R&B slowburner, “I Will Be There.” What was Side 1 of the record closes with Van’s epic 11-minute “Listen To the Lion,” probably his most personal and visceral performance. His rendition on It’s Too Late To Stop Now is so intense that it is hard to even listen to, but here Van goes slightly lighter and the tone is perfect and beautiful. At one point words fail him and he falls into grunts and vocal sounds to express his emotions. The title track is one of his most underrated tunes, a jubilant soul-rocker with some of his greatest lyrics. “Redwood Tree,” another unjustly forgotten gem, is a three minute groovy rock song that should have been a hit. Finally what was Side 2 closes with another 10 minute-plus journey, the hypnotic “Almost Independence Day,” with its great combo of 12-string acoustic guitar and synthesizer (unlikely partners, I know, but it really works here).

SDP is the best sampler of Van at his peak in the early 70’s, featuring soul rave-ups, concise pop tunes and two epic explorations that stand out as two of his most soulful songs. But unlike a compilation, this has the added bonus of all being recorded as a single record that was meant to be heard together. A perfect Van Morrison record, and you don’t get much better than that.

Note: This is what I hate about making lists. If I were revising my Top 100 Albums list, St. Dominic's Preview would definitely make the cut. Probably replacing Moondance. Van could really do little wrong in the 70's, I also recommend the overlooked Veedon Fleece from 1974.