I did break the news that Van Morrison would jump to RCA and release an album of newly recorded duets of his songs. And now it’s here. Somehow, Van managed to avoid every single big hit and keep the album to lesser known tracks. No “Moondance” or “Wild Night” or “Domino.” No one’s singing “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?” The album is called “Re-working the Catalogue” and he’s certainly doing that. Release date is March 24th. First single is “Real Real Gone” with Michael Buble. Duet partners are a mixed bag. But if you love Van Morrison ( and I do, and many others do) it will be well worth it. His last studio album, “Born to Sing (No Plan B) is as much as classic as his early works.
DUETS: RE-WORKING THE CATALOGUE track listing:
“Some Peace of Mind” with Bobby Womack (original version released on Hymns to the Silence, 1991)
“Lord, If I Ever Needed Someone” with Mavis Staples (original version released on His Band and the Street Choir, 1970)
“Higher Than The World” with George Benson (original version released on Inarticulate Speech of the Heart, 1983)
“Wild Honey” with Joss Stone (original version released on on Common One, 1980)
“Whatever Happened to P.J. Proby” with P.J. Proby (original version released on Down the Road, 2002)
“Carrying a Torch” with Clare Teal (original version released on Hymns to the Silence, 1991)
“The Eternal Kansas City” with Gregory Porter (original version released on A Period of Transition, 1977)
“Streets Of Arklow” with Mick Hucknall (original version released on Veedon Fleece, 1974)
“These Are The Days” with Natalie Cole (original version released on Avalon Sunset, 1989)
“Get On With The Show” with Georgie Fame (original version released on What’s Wrong with This Picture, 2003)
“Rough God Goes Riding” with Shana Morrison (original version released on The Healing Game, 1997)
“Fire in the Belly” with Steve Winwood (original version released on The Healing Game, 1997)
“Born To Sing” with Chris Farlowe (original version released on No Plan B, 2012)
“Irish Heartbeat” with Mark Knopfler (original version released on Irish Heartbeat, 1988)
“Real Real Gone” with Michael Bublé (original version released on Enlightenment, 1990)
“How Can A Poor Boy” with Taj Mahal (original version released on Keep It
Simple, 2008)
