Original released on CD Polydor 523368-2
(UK, 1994)
Produced by Van Morrison himself (how daunting for the artists facing the production booth!), this is a fairly unadventurous and unnecessary tribute album. Very few of the artists here manage to put their own stamp on songs that, face it, would be unremarkable if it weren't for Van Morrison's delivery and his musical arrangements. Sinéad O'Connor, more than most, sounds completely baffled and uncomfortable in her singing of "You Make Me Feel So Free." Hothouse Flowers' "Bright Side of the Road" does nothing with the song except to add a sort of plodding feeling. Only Elvis Costello dares to experiment: He brings in the the Voice Squad for an a cappella rendition of "Full Force Gale." Then there's the embarrassing: Liam Neeson giving a reading of "Coney Island" and an orchestral treatment of "Tupelo Honey," not too far away from Muzak. It's no contest: after two or three tracks you'll want to put on a Van Morrison album and turn this one off. (Ted Mills in AllMusic)
