Track Listing

1. Whenever God Shines His Light - Morrison, Van & Cliff Richard
2. Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)
3. Brown Eyed Girl
4. Bright Side Of The Road
5. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
6. Moondance
7. Here Comes The Night
8. Domino
9. Gloria
10. Baby Please Don't Go
11. And It Stoned Me
12. Sweet Thing
13. Warm Love
14. Wild Night
15. Cleaning Windows
16. Did Ye Get Healed
17. Dweller On The Threshold
18. Queen Of The Slipstream
19. Wonderful Remark
20. Full Force Gale
21. Brown Eyed Girl (2)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22376 in Music
• Released on: 1999-06-18
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered

Amazon.co.uk Review
Van Morrison reputedly wasn't crazy about the idea of a greatest-hits package, and this set's haphazard programming--which leaps from period to period, style to style, tossing in two key singles by his mid-1960s band Them--speaks of his lack of involvement. Still, it rivals Moondance as Morrison's most popular album, and for a reason: like that classic, it offers one deeply soulful, spiritually and musically thoughtful track after another. Much of his more "difficult" work is ignored here; in fact, Best of... gives us an intriguing picture of a Van who's almost eager to please. --Rickey Wright

CD Description
They very wisely opted against calling this GREATEST HITS for obvious reasons, yet such a good package of songs only highlights the fact that they all could have been massive hits. Maybe it's becaus Van is a very private man and unlike Phil Collins or Eric Clapton, does not grant interviews often. Yet he is up there with the greatest of all time. His catalogue is one of the finest in popular music, and in choosing abest of CD the choice will be ultra subjective. This gets near to the mark, even though there is no "Madame George", "Listen To The Lion" or "Tupelo Honey". There we are again, purely subjective. The alternative is to have a standing ordermade out to purchase one Van Morrison album for the next 24months.

Customer Reviews

STRING OF CLASSICS
This Best Of is a seamless compilation of Morrison's earlier work, from the bouncy Bright Side Of The Road through timeless songs like Gloria, Browned Eyed Girl, Jackie Wilson Said and And It Stoned Me, to his duet with Cliff Richard in the 1980s, Whenever God Shines His Light. It's hard to pick favourites from the abundance of quality songs collected here, but personally I most love Queen Of The Slipstream, And It Stoned Me, Jackie Wilson Said, Have I Told You lately and Gloria, a song that was covered by Patti Smith. All the styles of Van are covered here: Celtic soul, inspirational rock, moving ballads, soulful gospel, raunchy R&B and bubbly pop. These are all gems, songs with poetic lyrics and unforgettable melodies, all infused with true spirit. This impressive compilation would be a good starting point for those who wish to investigate this great singer and composer. I also recommend Best Of volume 2, for more sonic jewels from a later part of his career.

The best of the best
Indispensible. If you're not sure about Van Morrison, buy this and I guarantee you'll be hooked. Classics you'll recognise in an instant, such as Moondance and Bright Side of the Road, abound. And after this get Astral Weeks. Surely Beside You is one of the greatest songs of all time?

Evergreen, golden and smooth....
This album proved to be the start of my beloved Van Morrison collection, and certainly what prompted my hunger to consume every other album of his before and after! I loved this compilation from the very first listen. I have had it now for 7 years, and I am still not bored with it. His music has a mesmerising affect on me. Although it's great for background music - the poetry of his lyrics urge you to sit quietly and take the ride with him. The choices are brilliant - from the high-spirited "Brown-eyed Girl" and "Jackie Wilson said", to the simply beautiful "Have I told you lately". My personal favourite is "Queen of the Slipstream", a soaring song which I cannot do without listening to at least once a week! If you enjoy this compilation album, give "The Best of Van Morrison, Volume 2" a listen. Slightly more down-beat and introspective than Volume 1, but absolutely beautiful. Go grab them both!