The Best of Van Morrison

by

Van Morrison

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Van Morrison is an absolutely amazing individual who has performed in a huge array of styles in his decades as a musician and singer. That array of mixed styles is probably the largest flaw in this collection. A much better Van Morrison collection would need to be a boxed set dividing his music into styles: soul, R&B, pop, funk, and rock, though even those styles are perhaps less than inclusive and in some cases it may be difficult to determine where a particular song fits, rather than aiming for a retrospective on a single disk.

Another problem with this CD is the flow of the music. There seems to be no pattern to how the music is laid out, either in terms of era or style. Essentially the CD seems disorganized, as though someone had put the songs they wanted to include on the CD into a hat and started choosing them one at a time. I have read that Van Morrison wanted nothing to do with this CD, and I think the end result explains why.

Possibly the remaining concern is that the music selected is the most popular of Van Morrison's work. I understand the need to have some measure of commercial value in the release of a greatest hits or best of collection, but such a collection tends to pass over some of the better music of many artists. Once again, a boxed set could present some of Van Morrison's artistically excellent music that was less commercially successful. Of course, the fans most interested in that kind of music likely already have it on the albums, but why not represent the true scope of an artist?

Getting past my issues with the organization of the music, this CD is perhaps the best single CD collection of Van Morrison available, explaining the four star rating. Some of the songs I had forgotten, or perhaps never knew, were Van Morrison's.

Included on this CD are soul songs like "Bright Side of the Road" and "Queen of the Slipstream." "Queen of the Slipstream" is also heavily spiritual. In a completely different vein are songs in a style I call crooner, suitable for night clubs, like "Moondance," "And It Stoned Me," and "Have I Told You Lately." "Moondance" immediately calls to mind "Mac the Knife."

There are songs that were once called funk or funky, like "Warm Love" and "Cleaning Windows." There is the funk-tinged spiritual song "Whenever God Shines His Light," sung in a style highly reminiscent of Billy Joel on "River of Dreams."

Then there is the pop and rock Van Morrison, represented by hits "Gloria," with its Stones-like sound, "Brown Eyed Girl," which is perhaps Van Morrison's most recognized song, "Full Force Gale," and "Domino," among others. In another twist of styles is "Wonderful Remark," which has a very Springsteen-styled sound.

Van Morrison is no copycat. He chooses styles to fit the music, and his own very unique sound is represented on songs like the previously mentioned "Brown Eyed Girl," "Jackie Wilson Said," "Domino," "Wild Night," and "Dweller on the Threshold."

Van Morrison's career has entered its fifth decade, experimenting with styles and sounds throughout. Van Morrison's sound has not so much evolved as just been the sound appropriate for his intent at the time. He seems equally at home with singing in whatever style he feels like singing at the moment. Some singers have said they have sung styles that they would not revisit as they age. Van Morrison will continue to sing the style appropriate to his mood, regardless of his age.

With all its flaws, this CD is probably the best available single collection of Van Morrison's work. It is also one of his biggest sellers, if not THE biggest. His musical ability overwhelms all flaws and makes this a highly enjoyable and valuable CD for a discerning musicologist's collection. Choose "The Best of Van Morrison, Vol. 2" to expand your best of Van Morrison collection further.

I've been a nut over Van "the man" Morrison since his THEM days. His lyrics have always zeroed in on what makes this man's heart beat. His battles with the Parrot record company are legendary. An Irish rebel. This CD has many of his great ones. It has a few of his sucky ones also. Greatest Hits? I think not. But what really burns me about this CD is the song Brown Eyed Girl. A true classic. A masterpiece. But on this CD, Mona Lisa's smile has been altered. No longer are we making love in the green grass behind the stadium but now we're running and laughing. The record company has decided that makin' love in the green grass is too paganistic for modern society. By modifying the lyrics the song has lost its heart. And in my opinion has tainted the entire CD. If they are allowed to change the lyrics maybe next time they can change the players or the singer. Hell, put Tony Burrows on vocals. That guy sang nearly every song in the late 60's anyways.