Van Morrison Duets: Reworking The Catalogue on 2LP

RCA Records announces the release of musical icon and visionary Van Morrison’s brand new album and 35th studio effort of his unrivaled career, entitled Duets: Reworking The Catalogue. Van and guests selected and recorded some of his songs from a catalogue of 360 tunes across his career. Deliberately steering away from his more well-known classics, Van enlisted some of the artists he most respects to perform these songs with him to re-craft and re-imagine them.

The album was recorded in his home town of Belfast and London in the United Kingdom over the last year, using a variety of musicians and fresh arrangements. It was produced by Van Morrison along with Don Was and Bob Rock and features duet performances with Bobby Womack, Steve Winwood, Mark Knopfler, Taj Mahal, Mavis Staples, Michael Bublé,Natalie Cole, George Benson, Gregory Porter, Clare Teal, P.J. Proby, Joss Stone, Georgie Fame, Mick Hucknall,Chris Farlowe, and Van’s daughter Shana Morrison.

Van Morrison is considered one of the most prolific recording artists and extraordinary live performers of our time. He has received a multitude of awards and accolades including 6 Grammy Awards, a Brit Award, an OBE, an Ivor Novello, has been inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and possesses honorary doctorates from Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster, as well as entry into the French Ordres Des Artes Et Des Lettres, all illustrating the international reach of Van’s musical art.

Morrison has also collaborated with, among others, John Lee Hooker, Ray Charles, Lonnie Donegan, Mose Allison and Tom Jones, all confirming the breadth of his musical reach. His visionary songwriting and mastery of many genres continues to shine on albums celebrating and re-exploring his blues, jazz, skiffle and country roots. With one of the most revered catalogues in music history, his talents as a composer, singer and performer are unmatched.

LP1

1.  Some Peace of Mind with Bobby Womack (original version released on Hymns to the Silence, 1991)

2.  Lord, If I Ever Needed Someone with Mavis Staples (original version released on His Band and the Street Choir, 1970)

3.  Higher Than The World with George Benson (original version released on Inarticulate Speech of the Heart, 1983)

4.  Wild Honey with Joss Stone (original version released on on Common One, 1980)

5.  Whatever Happened to P.J. Proby with P.J. Proby (original version released on Down the Road, 2002)

6.  Carrying a Torch with Clare Teal (original version released on Hymns to the Silence, 1991)

7.  The Eternal Kansas City with Gregory Porter (original version released on A Period of Transition, 1977)

8.  Streets Of Arklow with Mick Hucknall (original version released on Veedon Fleece, 1974)

LP2

1.  These Are The Days with Natalie Cole (original version released on Avalon Sunset, 1989)

2.  Get On With The Show with Georgie Fame (original version released on What’s Wrong with This Picture, 2003)

3.  Rough God Goes Riding with Shana Morrison Morrison (original version released on The Healing Game, 1997)

4.  Fire in the Belly with Steve Winwood (original version released on The Healing Game, 1997)

5.  Born To Sing with Chris Farlowe (original version released on No Plan B, 2012)

6.  Irish Heartbeat with Mark Knopfler (original version released on Irish Heartbeat, 1988)

7.  Real Real Gone with Michael Bublé (original version released on Enlightenment, 1990)

8.  How Can A Poor Boy” with Taj Mahal (original version released on Keep It Simple, 2008)