The Prophet Speaks

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	73/100[4]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[5]
American Songwriter	[6]
The Guardian	[7]
The Independent	[8]
The Observer	[9]
Paste	7.2/10[10]
Rolling Stone	[11]

The Prophet Speaks received generally positive reviews, with Metacritic giving it 73 / 100, based on 11 reviews.^[4] It delivered "excellent songs, expertly rendered", leading The Observer to conclude that "Van Morrison’s current prolificacy clearly hasn’t compromised the quality of his output at all – this is another thoroughly enjoyable mix of vocal jazz and bluesy R&B."^[1] Rolling Stone heralded it as "further proof that he’s still one of the most moving, unrivaled singers of his generation", suggesting that Morrison wants to convey "that he’s able to write old-time originals that are mostly indistinguishable" from the classics he covers. Its review finds it "moving to hear Morrison revert back to his primordial roots", but finds that the album "feels like another headstrong gesture of self-determination".^[12] The Irish Times deemed it a "pleasure and a privilege to luxuriate" in the "exemplary" musicianship, concluding that "[at] his imperial best, Van the Man can still be mystical and magical after all these years.^[13]