Consumer Guide Album

Van Morrison & the Chieftains: Irish Heartbeat [Mercury, 1988]
Having finally met up with the jet-setting Irish traditionalists, known the world over for sitting down with anybody who'll look good on their résumé, the blocked poet essays a few jigs in a misguided attempt to prove he hasn't lost his rebop. Instead he should take another cue from the bluesmen who taught him his shit--once you settle into other people's songs, the secret of an honorable senescence is your own sense of rhythm. C+