Dispatches From Beardsville - Van Morrison to reissue complete back catalogue

Van ‘The Man’ Morrison, no relation to Mark ‘Return of the Mack’ Morrison… or Jim Morrison, has flitted between styles throughout his industrious career. He’s gone from snarling R’n'B, to Jazz to Country and Folk… and it’s for the last two that he’s most fondly remembered (let’s just forget about that Cliff Richard duet eh?). With the recent success of his Best Of… ‘Still On Top’, the Irish lung beater is to reissue his entire back catalogue, starting next year.
Morrison’s 29 remastered albums, from 1971’s Tupelo Honey to 2002’s Down The Road, will be released in stages from January 28 2008. All of the reissues will come with original artwork and lyrics, as well previously unreleased bonus tracks. Not bad for a notoriously prickly old sod. Highlights of the new stuff include an alternative version of Tupelo Honey’s ‘Wild Night’ and Into The Music’s ‘Troubadours’. Better news still is that his first seven albums are all going to be released mid-price. Perfect for those buying back-ups for their old vinyl. [via Uncut]