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A mystical master of Gaelic rhythm and blues, Van Morrison has for more than 20 years served up musical puzzles to which he has offered no answers. But on A Sense of Wonder, his first album since Warner Brothers, his long-time label, reportedly dropped him, the Irish-born singer has stopped asking questions altogether. The result is lacklustre music with none of Morrison’s usual gut-wrenching soul. On the title track, Morrison contemplates nature’s beauty; with “Ancient of Days” and “The Master’s Eyes” he thanks the Creator for His generous ways; on the dirge-like “Let the Slave” he delivers the 18th-century visionary poet William Blake’s “The Price of Experience” in rapid monotone. Only on ...

The Irish legend puts a fresh spin on his repertoire, teaming up with admirers young and old. Natalie Cole joins him on the joyful “These Are the Days” and daughter Shana on the spiritual “Rough God Goes Riding.” Best of all, Michael Bublé gets ecstatic on a thrilling remake of the horn-driven “Real Real Gone.”