It is here that some of the weak areas of Too Long in Exile are exposed. While it would be sheer lunacy to expert a mere singer to be able to match the creative talents of a poet like Yeats, it is not unfair to say that Van Morrison's lyrics are cliched and unimaginative. A typical example comes from the title track: "Too long in exile/too long not singing my song/too long in exile/too long like a rolling stone." Hardly inspiring stuff. It is also fair to say that his lyrics can be a tad melodramatic at times, as contributions like "In the Forest" show: "We will meet again, by the leafy glade/in the shade of the forest/with your long robes on, we will surely roam/by the ancient roads, I will take you home/to the forest."
Another point to be made is that the songs Van Morrison covers are, well, better than his. "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" and "Moody's Mood for Love" are probably the two best songs on the album, although the duet "Wasted Years" with John Lee Hooker is also very good. This very emotional song (at times it appears that Mr Hooker is about to break down crying) sees the two trade lines which, though quite predictable, gives the song a raw, unpolished feel. On an album of musical variety this song clearly stands out.
Too Long in Exile also contains a reworked version of Van Morrison's classic "Gloria." Perhaps, though, he shouldn't have bothered because it is quite woeful. The rocking style present on the original version is now a lot softer while the rhythm is uncomfortably altered. Another very poor effort on this album is the instrumental "Close Enough for Jazz." While it fits the overall tone of the record well it is just too boring to grab the listener's attention.
Overall Too Long in Exile is not that good. While it does showcase the artist's ability to skilfully blend musical styles, and while it does well to maintain a consistent tone
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