Van Morrison's personal record

One of the most outstanding performers, songwriters, playing most varied instruments from guitar to saxophone, an Irishman renowned far beyond his native land, Van Morrison continues making gigs approximately twice a week at his age of 62 inspiring again and again young and not very young artists. During almost fifty years of his career, passing from the member of band Them to a solo artist who can boast more than one award, including six Grammies, this unique person has released about thirty albums and two collections of the best material. This year to the great pleasure of his enormous fan base one of the most complete compilation of his works is released to become the third one on the list. Still On Top: The Greatest Hits consists of 37 tracks embracing Van Morrison's creative work with Them and the following works up to the 2005's Magic Time. Surprisingly it is the compilation that has become Van Morrison's personal record debuting at number 2 on the UK Official Top 75 Albums and number 3 on the Top 75 Albums in Ireland.

Unforgettable pleasure with Still On Top: The Greatest Hits

Van Morrison's music speaks better than any words. His vocals acknowledged as one of the world's best either growling or amazingly soft but always emotional will leave nobody indifferent. The album opens with Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile), one of the most famous songs always pleasing with its splashing energy. Cliff Richard accompanies Morrison on a beautiful composition Whenever God Shines His Light, and hits like Moondance (from the eponymous album) and Brown Eyed Girl just could not help being included here as they are the musician's calling card. The 70's are presented with fans' favorites Warm Love and Domino, while among the compositions from the 80's we can find memorable ballads Have I Told You Lately (one of Rod Stewart's favorites) and of course Someone Like You, known for making part of Bridget Jones' Diary soundtrack. Here Comes The Night and Gloria are probably the oldest songs on the record for they are the examples of the singer's creative work with Them, and, on the contrary, the freshest material representatives are two great songs from the 2005's record Stranded and Celtic New Year. To listen how Van Morrison rocks, Bright Side Of The Road is at your service, whereas his softest vocals are on another touchingly beautiful track And It Stoned Me. And even despite the great number of tracks on Still On Top: The Greatest Hits, they are still not enough to reveal all the facets of Van Morrison's talent, but they do let get unforgettable pleasure and submerge into his amazing world.

A truly creative personality

Easily passing from one style to another even within the limits of one song, Van Morrison has never limited himself with one certain direction being constantly in search of perfect sounding. A truly creative personality he is one of the most influential figures in the music world, and still all he is interested in is music in all its manifestations. Celtic, folk, rock, soul, R&B, blues – this is just a small part of the style list that Morrison has made his subject. Therefore for those who is utterly unfamiliar with his creative work Still On Top: The Greatest Hits will become a real revelation for here all the variety of the artist's musical interests is presented quite adequately. Moreover if you still have not heard his songs the compilation provides you with a wonderful chance to learn how his life lookout has changed with the time, as there are often expressed his thoughts, reminiscences, feelings in dreams in the texts. Although all of Van Morrison's creative work is impossible to gather just in one Still On Top: The Greatest Hits (for instance, last year's country album Pay The Devil is not here at all), even this material is enough to make sure that all this man's praises and awards are more than deserved, and be happy that today he is really still on top.

Alexandra Zachernovskaya
12.12.2007