The Best of Van Morrison Volume 3

Van Morrison

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 19, 2007)
• Original Release Date: June 19, 2007
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Manhattan/EMI
• ASIN: B000IY0FDA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,275 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #3 in	Music > R&B > Soul > Blue-Eyed Soul
  #10 in	Music > Blues > Contemporary Blues
  #60 in	Music > Rock > Folk Rock

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Navigating Van Morrison's extensive catalog since 1993 is a formidable task even diehard fans might not want to attempt. The Irish icon has flirted with blues, jazz, country, pop, Celtic, and his own style of indescribable into-the-mystic spiritually-oriented poetic folk on his numerous releases, making for quite a thorny culling assignment. So the EMI brass were probably ecstatic when the singer took the job himself. He weeds through a dozen or so albums released since Volume 2's mile-marker, and adds a clutch of previously unavailable mixes, rarities, and live tracks. The result: a nearly two-and-a-half-hour, 31-track double-disc set as sprawling, eclectic, and tenacious as Morrison's vision and discography. From occasionally rambling but spirited duets with veterans Bobby "Blue" Bland, Junior Wells, Georgie Fame, Lonnie Donegan, B.B. King, the Chieftains, Ray Charles, and even Tom Jones to concert versions of hits such as "Moondance" and an impressive take on Sinatra’s classic "That's Life," along with hidden gems like "Steal My Heart Away," this is a beautifully assembled and sequenced collection. It presents most of this multitalented auteur's facets and softens his often crusty exterior by showing his appreciation for the journeymen that helped develop the trail that Morrison then blazed in his own distinctive style. --Hal Horowitz

Product Description

The new 2-CD collection, compiled by Morrison himself, offers a comprehensive overview of his later material. The set's 31 tracks include previously unreleased collaborations with Tom Jones and Bobby Bland, as well as duets with John Lee Hooker, B.B. King and Ray Charles.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of Van Vol 3 a must for your Ipod, June 19, 2007

By	Michael J. Seltzer (Franklin, MIchigan United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Fans of Van Morrison will be pleased with this collection in that the song choices were from Van himself.
Those less familiar will find themselves hooked on this well balanced collection of more recent works by Van Morrison including some exceptional duets with the likes of Ray Charles, BB King, Tom Jones, Jim Hunter, Jimmy Witherspoon, the Chieftains, and John Lee Hooker. There are also some notable remastered, live and never before heard selections and some classics from Van's last several releases.
Highly recommended.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So good only Van could have picked the songs, July 31, 2007

By	Nick Voyvodich (Hollister, Ca) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

You either love or hate Van the Man. Over 40 years he has given the world some of the most heartfelt beautiful music ever recorded. This best of provides a stunning glimpse into the breath and depth of what he is capable of delivering. Showing respect to those who came before him, this collection is absolutely outstanding from start to finish. In the hands of the recording company this offering could have been a diaster. Thanks Van for giving us your gems for this collection.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Legend Continues..., July 3, 2007

By	Van News "connswater" (New York) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This 'Best Of' is a must for any Vanatic (Van fan)... but more importantly it is a must for anyone who thinks Van's career ended in the 1970s... all the tracks on "Vol. 3" are from 1993-2005 - Van's later writing and singing are well represented on this compilation and with a superb supporting cast of John Lee Hooker, Ray Charles, Tom Jones, Carl Perkins, Lonnie Donegan, Bobby "Blue" Bland and the great Georgie Fame as they come along for the journey...

Van is still a mighty force in a world that needs more soul and less pop.

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