Van Morrison - The Best of Van Morrison [Mercury]

For an artist who's doggedly album-oriented, plus a songwriter who revels in subtlety, Van Morrison doesn't seem like a logical candidate for a successful greatest-hits compilation. Nevertheless, The Best of Van Morrison is a crackerjack compilation, tracing Van the Man from his days with Them, through his best-known tunes ("Brown-Eyed Girl," "Moondance," "Blue Money," "Wild Night"), to highlights from the '70s and '80s cult efforts, topped off by "Wonderful Remark," a song first heard on the King of Comedy soundtrack. This collection makes Morrison's work seem a little more immediate and accessible than it usually is, but that's a blessing, since it provides a great summary of his hits and a nice introduction for the curious. Yes, it could have dug deeper into the catalog, but as a sampler, it can't be faulted. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Bert Berns Producer Chris Michie Guitar Dick Rowe Producer Lewis Merenstein Producer Mick Glossop Engineer Robbie Robertson Producer Ted Templeman Producer Van Morrison Producer