Brett Dennen (photo: Ben Moon) and Van Morrison
Brett Dennen’s recommendation: “I’ve always thought that Van Morrison is the greatest. Nobody sings like him. He could sing about anything and make it sound soulful. Yet, his songwriting is amazing. Which makes him even more incredible.”
New to Van Morrison’s music? Brett suggests you start here:”I’d cut straight to the chase and recommend the album Veedon Fleece. Songs like Linden Arden and Don’t Pull No Punches are some of his very best. The album puts you in a trance with repetition like a lot of Van’s albums do. He suggests an idea musically, lays down a groove and it keeps getting deeper and deeper.”
About our guest author, Brett Dennen: We first got turned on to Brett when we heard his Darlin Do Not Fear single get play on KEXP in Seattle. Our obsession deepened when the ultra-talented Tom Freund recommended Brett here on Rock Torch, citing his “…beautiful high voice and lyrics that hit home with an “old soul†presentation.” Dennen is California based and has a sound that gracefully blends the bright, world feel of Paul Simon with the reflective lyrical style of, yes, Van Morrison. His music has recently turned up on television, being featured in a Twitter commercial and on several network shows (Scrubs, Grey’s Anatomy, Parenthood, Brothers & Sisters, and House). Brett’s latest album, Loverboy is one of the best purchases you can make this year, but if our words alone can’t convince you, perhaps Amazon’s lure of selling the album for $5 will drive you. Buy it here on Amazon or from the indie shop Insound, but definitely buy it and enjoy.