CD Van Morrison: Duets: Re-working The Catalogue

Van Morrison: Duets: Re-working The Catalogue version on CD in Standard edition. This particular edition was published in Europe in publishing company RCA in cooperation with Sony Music on 23. March 2015.

Van Morrison in duet with longtime collaborators and admirers Van Morrison certainly needs no introduction to fans of handcrafted music representing flesh-and-blood values. Over the course of his more than 50-year career, "Van the Man" has become a true giant in the music world. He rejected the conventional conventions of superstardom out of hand - his restless nature, uncompromising nature and directness always defied pigeonholing. On Duets: Re-Working The Catalogue, Morrison turns to his own catalogue and sets about reworking it. "I don't usually take over old stuff unless I want to rework it or do a new arrangement," Van Morrison explains. "This project was mostly about the joy of singing with artists I admire, but also revisiting songs that aren't as well known. I've wanted to make an album like this since the early 2000s, but it was hard to get the right people together." The "people" made up a decidedly diverse list of duet partners for the 16 tracks on Duets: Re-Working The Catalogue: Bobby Womack, Mavis Staples, George Benson, Joss Stone, PJ Proby, Clare Teal, Gregory Porter, Mick Hucknall, Natalie Cole, Georgie Fame, Shana Morrison, Steve Winwood, Chris Farlowe, Mark Knopfler, Michael Buble and Taj Mahal. Who can you leave out of such a list? It just doesn't work! Of particular note is the wide age range of Van Morrison's duet partners, from Joss Stone to PJ Proby. Incidentally, it was to this PJ Proby that Morrison erected a monument on his 2002 album "Down the Road". Bobby Womack contributed one of his last recordings to the album "Duets: Re-Working The Catalogue". Morrison's 35th studio album also features his daughter Shana Morrison, who has been singing and songwriting for some time. George Benson not only appears as a singing partner, but also pulls out his guitar. Almost in contrast to the celebrity-filled guest list was the song selection. The obvious big hits were not selected. It is the lesser known songs that illustrate the extraordinary range and consistently high quality of Morrison's work. However, the choice of songs was not the dictate of the master, but in many cases the express wishes of the duo's partners. It was clearly great fun for all involved. Van Morrison is generally regarded as grumpy and does not take himself lightly in interviews. However, on the album "Duets: Re-Working The Catalogue" he comes across as very relaxed. The last track "How Can A Poor Boy?" ends with a shared laugh with Taj Mahal. Van Morrison must have been a great host during the making of "Duets: Re-Working The Catalogue". You can clearly hear that his guests had a good time. Review. The mature and sophisticated 'Duets', in particular, are exactly that." (Good Times, April/May 2015) "Songs from four decades have been re-recorded in Belfast and London and given a glossy treatment by top producers such as Don Was and Bob Rock. Fine: not only the classics shimmer here, but also gems from the second series." (Stereo Play, May 2015) "In duets with select colleagues, the Irish voice is even bigger, even more majestic." (Audio, May 2015)

Album spans genres Rock, Pop, Folk, World, & Country, Blues and Jazz.