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**Van Morrison - Poetic Champions Compose: The Mystic's Middle Period Masterpiece**

When discussing Van Morrison's towering discography, conversations inevitably gravitate toward the untouchable trinity of "Astral Weeks," "Moondance," and "Into the Music." But nestled in his prolific 1980s output lies a gem that deserves equal reverence: "Poetic Champions Compose," a 1987 release that finds Van the Man at his most spiritually transcendent and musically adventurous, proving that even two decades into his solo career, the Belfast Cowboy still had magic left in his considerable arsenal.

Following the commercial disappointment of 1986's "No Guru, No Method, No Teacher" – an album whose title seemed to predict its own commercial fate – Morrison retreated deeper into his mystical explorations. The mid-80s found him increasingly obsessed with Celtic spirituality, literary references, and the kind of stream-of-consciousness wordplay that either mesmerized listeners or left them scratching their heads. "Poetic Champions Compose" emerged from this period as Morrison's most cohesive statement about the intersection of art, spirituality, and the eternal search for meaning through music.

Musically, the album represents Morrison at his genre-blending best, weaving together elements of Celtic folk, jazz fusion, R&B, and what can only be described as "Van Morrison music" – that indefinable amalgamation of influences that only he could synthesize. The production, handled by Morrison himself alongside engineer Steve Barri, strikes a perfect balance between the intimate and the expansive, allowing space for both whispered confessions and soaring declarations.

The album's crown jewel is undoubtedly "Someone Like You," a achingly beautiful ballad that ranks among Morrison's finest compositions. Built around a simple yet devastating melody, the song finds Van in full romantic mystic mode, his voice floating over gentle acoustic guitar and subtle orchestration like morning mist over the Irish countryside. It's the kind of song that makes you believe in the redemptive power of love while simultaneously breaking your heart – classic Morrison territory.

"Alan Watts Blues" serves as the album's philosophical centerpiece, a sprawling meditation on the influential philosopher's teachings set to a hypnotic groove that builds and recedes like ocean waves. Morrison's vocals alternate between urgent proclamations and gentle reflections, creating a sonic representation of enlightenment itself. The song's eight-minute runtime never feels excessive; instead, it feels like a necessary journey through consciousness.

The title track opens the album with a statement of artistic intent, Morrison declaring his role as both poet and composer over a bed of Celtic-tinged instrumentation. His voice, weathered but still capable of remarkable emotional range, delivers lines about "the power and the glory of the word" with the conviction of a true believer. Meanwhile, "Give Me My Rapture" closes the album with an ecstatic celebration of artistic transcendence that feels like a spiritual revival meeting conducted in a jazz club.

Throughout the album, Morrison's backing musicians – including longtime collaborators like guitarist Arty McGlynn and saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis – provide sympathetic support that enhances rather than overwhelms Van's vision. The arrangements are sophisticated without being showy, creating atmospheric backdrops for Morrison's increasingly abstract lyrical explorations.

"Poetic Champions Compose" arrived at a curious point in Morrison's career. The punk and new wave movements had largely passed him by, and MTV culture seemed antithetical to his increasingly introspective approach. Yet the album found an appreciative audience among longtime fans and critics who recognized it as a return to form after several uneven releases.

In the broader context of Morrison's career, "Poetic Champions Compose" represents the full flowering of themes he'd been exploring since "Astral Weeks." The album's preoccupation with literature, spirituality, and the transformative power of art would continue to inform his work well into the 21st century. Songs like "Someone Like You" have become concert staples, while deeper cuts like "Alan Watts Blues" reveal new layers with each listen.

Today, "Poetic Champions Compose" stands as perhaps Morrison's most underrated masterpiece – an album that captures an artist in complete command of his considerable powers, unafraid to follow his muse wherever it might lead. In an era of increasing musical homogenization, it serves as a reminder of what's possible when an artist refuses to compromise their vision, creating something that exists entirely in its own mystical universe.