To be released on 23 March in the UK/Ireland just over five months before Van Morrison turns 70 with a special Cyprus Avenue concert in Belfast Duets: Reworking the Catalogue his new RCA album features duets from luminaries across the soul and jazz spectrum and beyond.
Some of these duets may prove controversial and certainly the most populist is the inclusion of Michael Bublé (who in the past has entered the Van domain by covering ‘Moondance’ and ‘Crazy Love’ the better of the twoi) while Mick Hucknell on ‘Streets of Arklow’ at least on paper seems an ambitious choice to say the least.
The songs on Duets are new versions from Morrison’s huge back catalogue.
Recorded in Belfast and London produced by Don Was president of Blue Note the label that released Morrison’s last album Born to Sing: No Plan B and Bublé producer Bob Rock (To Be Loved etc) the concept is reminiscent of the highly successful 2004 Ray Charles album Genius Loves Company on which Morrison duetted with the High Priest on ‘Crazy Love.’ The big draw for jazz fans is the presence of George Benson on ‘Higher than the World’ from Inarticulate Speech of the Heart. SG
The full track listing is:
Some Peace of Mind with Bobby WomackLord, If I Ever Needed Someone with Mavis Staples
Higher Than The World with George Benson
Wild Honey with Joss Stone
Whatever Happened to PJ Proby remarkably with Proby
Carrying a Torch with Clare Teal
The Eternal Kansas City with Gregory Porter
Streets Of Arklow with Mick Hucknall
These Are The Days with Natalie Cole
Get On With The Show with Georgie Fame
Rough God Goes Riding with Shana Morrison
Fire in the Belly with Steve Winwood
Born To Sing with Chris Farlowe
Irish Heartbeat with Mark Knopfler
Real Real Gone with Michael Bublé above
How Can A Poor Boy with Taj Mahal