It’s funny how a change of clothes can reinvigorate a body, huh? Take Van The Man - to be honest, I’d sort of written him off as a "passed it" figure of musical history - one to be respected, sure, but his best work is behind him, right? WRONG. Get the Picture, Van Morrison’s first for the illustrious Blue Note label - ah, I can hear the purists carp - presents the man refreshed, renewed and revitalized. Granted, the Man’s voice is not what is was circa "Jackie Wilson Said," but just listen to the warmth and joie de vive as he wraps his voice around the rollicking, calypso-tinged "Once In A Blue Moon" or the mellow "Little Village," which recalls the "Tupelo Honey" era and dig the irreverent, daffy rockability-tinged jump-blues jaunt he makes out of Lightnin’ Hopkins’ "Stop Drinking." The ironic closer "Get On With The Show" has Van The Man giving the Rev. Al Green a run for his money at his own game - it oozes Memphis soul, but on Van’s terms, no one else’s - his voice has rarely sounded so committed and assured, even in the early 70s. In fact, Morrison’s voice has taken on a deeper, darker hue, a bit like the different Sinatra of the early Reprise years differed from the Ol’ Two Eyes of the Columbia sides. His band plays sumptuously: reeds, brass, guitars, Hammond organ, piano, bass and drums meld behind Morrison in a manner that’s both seamless and energizing. The blues feeling is ever-present yet never overplayed, along with his Celtic soul sound. What’s Wrong With This Picture stands with Van’s very best efforts.