Versatile
by Van Morrison
  • Record Label: SMG
  • Release Date: Dec 1, 2017
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. The Independent (UK)
    Nov 30, 2017
    80
    For the most part, it’s a masterclass in jazz phrasing.
  2. The Guardian
    Nov 30, 2017
    80
    The album’s pleasures are many. It’s hard to go wrong with good musicians and great songs. On Versatile, Morrison serves the lyrics where he needs to (I Get a Kick Out of You), and breathes unexpected life into songs sullied by ubiquity (Unchained Melody).
  3. Paste Magazine
    Dec 1, 2017
    76
    It’s the originals that shine the most, a testament to the talent of a songwriter that has written a standard or two of his own.
  5. Uncut
    Dec 21, 2017
    70
    He's added half a dozen of his own compositions in a similar style to this generous 16-track selection, which pays tribute to his jazz roots rather more successfully than his uneven homage to his R&B origins in September's Roll With The Punches. [Feb 2018, p.30]
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  6. American Songwriter
    Nov 30, 2017
    70
    Versatile may ultimately be a minor addition to the Irish icon’s swollen catalog, yet it’s another example of Van Morrison’s inimitable flair as an interpreter and arranger. It’s hard to imagine spending over an hour with these 16 tunes and not coming away with an appreciative grin and an acknowledgement of the singer’s timeless talents.
  7. Mojo
    Dec 20, 2017
    60
    Van sounds relaxed and perfectly at ease. [Feb 2018, p.93]
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  8. Q Magazine
    Dec 20, 2017
    60
    Morrison swings as he sings, conventionally but enjoyably in a classy jazz club mode. [Feb 2018, p.112]
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  9. AllMusic
    Nov 30, 2017
    60
    Versatile certainly has its flaws and will likely appeal mostly to longtime fans, but Morrison invests himself in each tune, singing as if he wrote them. This is head and shoulders above similar efforts by his peers.
  10. Slant Magazine
    Dec 4, 2017
    40
    It's disappointing to hear one of the all-time great vocalists turn in such mundane performances.

Awards & Rankings

61
#61 Most Shared Album of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
5.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. Kimosabe
    Dec 2, 2017
    9
    The band is great, not anything new jazzwise but solid and tasty. If you expect Van to sing the song straight first, sing the head in jazzThe band is great, not anything new jazzwise but solid and tasty. If you expect Van to sing the song straight first, sing the head in jazz terms, before improvising on it, forget it. He plays with the melodies and words right from the start. The whole thing works as a jazz show. You come away feeling good.

    No, it isn’t Astral Weeks or Moondance. It’s Van doing a jazz show with a great band. If you want to hear new and great Van tunes, give Keep Me Singing an enjoyable listen. That album, for me, is the best in a long time and I’ve been listening since Them in the mid 60’s. I saw Van many times in San Francisco. I even used to see his mother walking her dog when his dad had a record store in Fairfax.

    I was a little disappointed when I heard the first tunes released, Makin’ Whoopee and I Get a Kick Out of You, but they sound much better and make more sense in the context of a show. Don’t worry. He’ll continue to put out a great album every once in a while if Keep Me Singing is an indication.

    Dig this for what it is, a man of many influences doing his take on jazz. No, he isn’t Sarah Vaughan or Ella and he would never claim to be. But if you like Van’s voice and how he can use it, you’ll have a fine show.    … Full Review »
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