The Movie Hits

Movie directors learned early that Van Morrison songs sound terrific in a variety of situations and are often among moviegoers’ favorite songs on a film’s soundtrack. That Martin Scorsese has had great success with Van’s music is endorsement enough to send other directors looking for a golden moment. The songs on this collection range from Morrison’s early work with the Belfast R&B band Them, with “Baby Please Don’t Go” and Morrison’s rock ‘n’ roll classic “Gloria,” through to such reflective later work as “Days Like This” and “So Quiet in Here.” Morrison’s take on Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” is a fascinating novelty as he puts his trademark phrasing into lines like “There is no pain, you are receding.” Live versions of “Domino,” “Moondance,” and “Into the Mystic” and longtime favorites such as “Brown Eyed Girl,” “Jackie Wilson Said,” and “Have I Told You Lately?” make this an album with something for everyone who’s ever been intrigued by the moody bard.