Morrison takes listeners down relaxing ‘Highway’

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Jan. 28, 2005 | 8:44 a.m.

"Hard Nose the Highway" probably isn't the first Van Morrison album anyone should own, but it is the one I listen to most often.

Most annotated discographies will tell you there are half a dozen more essential Morrison albums, "Astral Weeks," "Moondance" and "St. Dominic's Preview" among them.

Much as I appreciate those much-lauded efforts, however, I generally reach for 1973's "Hard Nose" or its 1974 follow-up, "Veedon Fleece," when I crave a Van fix.

The most common complaint about "Hard Nose" seems to stem from the relative uniformity of the album's approach. Though Morrison is famous for his ability to mix styles and cross genres, he stays relatively constant on this disc, a collection of eight breezy, low-key numbers.

Maybe that's why it works so well to me. Its warm, gentle mood is undisturbed, providing a totally peaceful listening experience from start to finish.

I'm assuming "Hard Nose" also gets overlooked because it lacks familiarity. None of the songs impacted the charts like a "Brown Eyed Girl" or "Domino," and although "Warm Love" earned inclusion on Morrison's "Best Of" set, it hardly rivals "Moondance" or "Gloria" for mainstream recognition.

I like it that way. Overplayed songs send me straight to the skip button, which ruins the continuity of a CD.

Not that individual songs on "Hard Nose" don't distinguish themselves.

"The Great Deception," "Purple Heather" and the title track are all filled with lush instrumentation, serving as ideal vehicles for Morrison's famously powerful, bluesy voice.

Opening cut "Snow in San Anselmo" is bolstered by some ominous vocals from the Oakland Symphony Chamber Chorus. Even a cover of "Bein' Green" (that's right, Kermit the Frog's anthem) is pleasant without being overly cute.

Tranquil and unpretentious, "Hard Nose the Highway" is the perfect accompaniment for an hour spent curled up by the fireplace with a good book.

If I could just get my fireplace to work.

Artist: Van Morrison.

Title: "Hard Nose the Highway."

Year of release: 1973 (Reissued 1997, A&M Records).

Tracklisting: "Snow in San Anselmo," "Warm Love," "Hard Nose the Highway," "Wild Children," "The Great Deception," "Bein' Green," "Autumn Song," "Purple Heather."