"You gotta fight every day to keep mediocrity at bay," says Van Morrison.

He ain't just flapping his gums -- a few dozen albums and an equal number of years into his solo career, the Irish soul troubadour is still waging that constant battle. And winning it handily, if his recent output is anything to go by.

Magic Time is the latest in a string of strong efforts by the 64-year-old icon, making the most of all his usual sonic and lyrical touchstones. Stranded opens the proceedings with doo-woppy jazz; Celtic New Year offers folky soul; the chugging Evening Train is a bluesy ride; This Love of Mine comes out swinging straight from the lounge; Gypsy in My Soul is a dose of Philly-style soul; Just Like Greta finds Van the Man wanting to be left alone; the jazz-blues waltz Lonely and Blue finds him channeling Louis Armstrong; and The Lion This Time is a gorgeous piece of green-sleeved folk balladry.

Sure, it's all as familiar and well-worn -- and as about as fashionable -- as an old pair of shoes. But hey, if you're looking to Morrison for innovation or trendiness, you're looking in the wrong place. He long ago gave up compromising or updating his sound -- or giving a damn what anybody else thinks. Thing is, as long as he retains the magic touch that allows him to craft consistently strong discs like this, he'll keep winning that battle too.

Track Listing:

1. Stranded
2. Celtic New Year
3. Keep Mediocrity at Bay
4. Evening Train
5. This Love of Mine
6. I'm Confessin'
7. Just Like Greta
8. Gypsy in My Soul
9. Lonely and Blue
10. This Lion This Time    
11. Magic Time
12. They Sold Me Out
13. Carry on Regardless