After two albums where Van Morrison spent a great deal of time griping about the modern world, it's hard not to interpret the title of Moving On Skiffle as "moving on from the political unpleasantness of the last few years to skiffle, the music of my childhood." Morrison has returned to skiffle before, cutting a dynamite live album with Chris Barber and Lonnie Donegan at the tail-end of the 2000s, but Moving On Skiffle is a different beast. Where The Skiffle Sessions: Live in Belfast 1998 benefitted from its live setting, Moving On Skiffle is clearly a studio album, a record so relaxed and unhurried it takes over 90 minutes to reach its conclusion. That's not to say it doesn't have its share of sprightly tempos: the band often kick up dust to a train-track rhythm, yet they never seem on the verge of descending into a frenzied rave-up or hoedown. The music's easy touch allows Morrison to be a bit playful, juxtaposing familiar melodies and lyrics in a surprising fashion; for instance, "Worried Man Blues" has him riffing upon words from "Mystery Train." This same attitude leads Morrison to reworking "Mama Don't Allow" into "Gov Don't Allow," giving him a place to grouse about how the government is shutting down free speech and skiffle. It's the one time on Moving On Skiffle where Van Morrison allows his inner curmudgeon to take the reins; otherwise, Moving On Skiffle is light and lively, an easy record to enjoy. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine