Personnel: Van Morrison (vocals); Mick Cox, Herbie Armstrong (guitar); John Allair (keyboards); David Hayes (bass); Peter Van Hooke (drums); Pete Brewis (background vocals).

Engineers: Henry Lewy, Dave Burgess, Chris Martin.

Recorded at Super Bear Studios, France, on February 11-19, 1980.

Van's 1980 release COMMON ONE is more in the meditative and poetic tradition of his masterpiece ASTRAL WEEKS than the R&B-infused pop ditty mode of a MOONDANCE or the Irish-country flair of a TUPELO HONEY. It captures the visionary songwriter/performer at the tail end of his pastoral phase. The album's expansive, cerebral approach is highlighted by two fifteen-minute excursions that almost act as bookend pieces--"Summertime In England" and "When The Heart Is Open"--both worthy compositions in their own right. Although it's not prime Morrison, COMMON ONE's highly literate lyrical content and atmospheric moodiness make for good listening nevertheless.

Q (5/95, p.125) - 3 Stars - Good - "...Morrison uses his songs as mantras or meditations, where the music is intended to take the singer, and the listener, towards more contemplative states of consciousness..."