Personnel: Van Morrison (vocals, guitar, piano); Chris Michie (guitar); Pee Wee Ellis (tenor saxophone); Bob Doll (trumpet); John Allair (organ); David Hayes (bass); Tom Donlinger (drums); Bianca Thornton, Pauline Lazano (background vocals).

All tracks have been digitally remastered from the original master tapes.

On A SENSE OF WONDER, Van Morrison reflects on many of the most vital, persistent themes in his music. There's his deep sense of spirituality and mysticism; a fierce pride in his Celtic heritage ("Boffyflow and Spike"); ambiguity about the steep price he's had to pay for fame and talent ("If You Only Knew")--one of the dominant characteristics of his later work.

Utilizing the warm sound of a gospel-tinged female chorus to provide a soulful harmonic lift to his work, Van Morrison mines many of the most familiar and endearing veins of his rich, personal style. But as always, there's a feeling of discovery--A SENSE OF WONDER, as it were--to the singer's work, as Van Morrison stretches himself in new directions, taking the listener along for the ride. Most notably on "Let The Slave," where mystic poet William Blake's "The Price of Experience" is incorporated into a reflection on the struggles of the common man.

Q (5/95, p.125) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...A SENSE OF WONDER presents one of his most consistently excellent sets of songs..."