ALBUMS

• VAN MORRISON: VERSATILE: 2017: 4 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Released just three months after his Roll With The Punches album- more of the same from Van- mostly covers and a scattering of Van originals. Well done and well sung. Van probably doesn’t have another ‘classic’ in him at this point but he continues to release very good albums as he nears his mid-70’s. In listening to his studio albums in order- I have come to the last one until I get my hands on his new album released a few months ago- You’re Driving Me Crazy.

• ATLANTIC RHYTHM AND BLUES: 1947-74: VOLUME 2: 1991: 5 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: On disc 2 of the 8 volume set- a lot of The Clovers, Ruth Brown, The Drifters, Ray Charles, Lavern Baker- great stuff.

• DIRE STRAITS: MAKING MOVIES: 1980:  4 STARS OUT OF 5 STARS: Dire Straits came out of the gate quickly- this was their third album in three years. 7 songs at 37:39. Romeo and Juliet is my favorite Dire Straits song- and in my Top 100 songs of all time list. Other standouts here- Skateaway, Tunnel Of Love, and Expresso Love.