Various Artists – The Songs That Shaped Van Morrison

• The mighty VAN MORRISON has drawn from many musical genres, taking in Blues, R&B, R&R, Country, Skiffle and Jazz, all of which are represented on this unique compilation.
• An intense live performer, Morrison was only nineteen years of age when he fronted Them, yet his singing already possessed the bite, attack and arrogance which made him come across like an experienced veteran.
• Moreover, he already possessed the maturity and assurance to take liberties with the material that he and his band were reviving.
• As you might expect, this set features many of the “Usual Suspects”, including John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed, Bobby Bland, Ray Charles, T-Bone Walker, Jimmy Witherspoon, etc.
• Tracks 1-13 features repertoire that was covered by Them, between 1964-67, while tracks 14-29 feature material that he has covered in his subsequent solo career, from 1967 into the 21st Century.

Track Listing

1. Slim Harpo - DON'T START CRYING NOW
2. John Lee Hooker - DON'T GO BABY
3. Rosco Gordon - JUST A LITTLE BIT
4. Jimmy Reed - BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY
5. Chuck Berry - ROUTE 66
6. Chris Kenner - SOMETHING YOU GOT
7. Bobby Bland - TURN ON YOUR LOVELIGHT
8. Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I PUT A SPELL ON YOU
9. Ray Charles - I GOT A WOMAN
10. Fats Domino - HELLO JOSEPHINE
11. Jimmy Witherspoon - TIMES GETTING TOUGHER THAN TOUGH
12. T-Bone Walker - STORMY MONDAY
13. Jimmy Reed - BABY WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO
14. Lead Belly - MIDNIGHT SPECIAL
15. Sam Cooke - BRING IT ON HOME TO ME
16. Ray Charles - I BELIEVE TO MY SOUL
17. Muddy Waters - JUST MAKE LOVE TO ME
18. Annie Laurie- SINCE I FELL FOR YOU
19. Eddie Riff - AIN'T THAT LOVIN' YOU BABY
20. Jimmy Witherspoon - NO ROLLIN' BLUES
21. Sonny Boy Williamson I - GOOD MORNING, SCHOOL GIRL
22. Ray Charles - LONELY AVENUE
23. Jerry Lee Lewis - DOWN THE LINE
24. Sam Cooke - YOU SEND ME
25. Johnny Kidd & The Pirates - SHAKIN' ALL OVER
26. Lonnie Donegan - LOST JOHN
27. Lead Belly - GOOD MORNING BLUES
28. Little Willie John - BIG BLUE DIAMONDS
29. Jimmie Rodgers - MULE SKINNER BLUES (Blue Yodel #8)