Versatile (Van Morrison album) explained

Versatile
Type:	studio
Artist:	Van Morrison
Cover:	Versatile (Van Morrison album).jpg
Released:	1 December 2017
Recorded:	2013, 2017
Length:	68:00
Label:	Legacy (US) Caroline (rest of the world)
Producer:	Van Morrison
Prev Title:	Roll with the Punches
Prev Year:	2017
Next Title:	You're Driving Me Crazy
Next Year:	2018

Versatile is the 38th studio album by Van Morrison, released on 1 December 2017 by Caroline.^[1] His second release of the year, it entered the Top 40 in six countries, including the UK. The album consists of some originals, both new and older, mixed with jazz standards.

Recording

The first track, "Broken Record", is an original composition whose opening riff traces back to "Heathrow Shuffle", an instrumental Morrison played from around 1974 in concerts, and is included on the Live at Montreux 1980/1974 DVD. Another original, "Affirmation", was based on a previously-released "Sax Instrumental No. 1" from a 1999 CD single for "Back on Top".^[2]

Critical reception

The Guardian describes the album as a "lively trip through the swing songbook", "a curious little joy of a record", and "very much a mood album, gently swinging".^[3]

Track listing

1. "Broken Record" (Morrison)
2. "A Foggy Day" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin)
3. "Let's Get Lost" (Jimmy McHugh, Frank Loesser)
4. "Bye Bye Blackbird" (Ray Henderson, Mort Dixon)
5. "Skye Boat Song" (Traditional; arranged by Morrison)
6. "Take It Easy Baby" (Morrison)
7. "Makin' Whoopee" (Gus Kahn, Walter Donaldson)
8. "I Get a Kick Out of You" (Cole Porter)
9. "I Forgot That Love Existed" (Morrison)
10. "Unchained Melody" (Alex North, Hy Zaret)
11. "Start All Over Again" (2017 Version) (Morrison)
12. "Only a Dream" (2013 Version) (Morrison)
13. "Affirmation" (Morrison)
14. "The Party's Over" (Jule Styne, Betty Comden, Adolph Green)
15. "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" (George Cory, Douglass Cross)
16. "They Can't Take That Away from Me" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin)

Musicians

• Van Morrison : Vocals, Alto Saxophone
• Jay Berliner : Acoustic Spanish Guitar
• Dave Keary : Electric Guitar
• Paul Moore : Bass guitar
• Paul Moran : Keyboards, trumpet, musical director
• Sir James Galway : Concert Flute
• Christopher White : Tenor Saxophone
• Alistair White : Trombone
• Jeff Lardner : Drums
• Mez Clough ; Drums
• Robbie Ruggiero : Percussion
• Rod Quinn : Percussion

Charts

Chart (2017)	Peak position
Italian Albums (FIMI)^[4]	88
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)^[5]	37
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)^[6]	10

Notes and References

1. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/van-morrison-announces-new-album-versatile-w510967 Van Morrison Announces New Album 'Versatile' Singer's 38th studio LP mixes jazz standards with new originals
2. https://musicbrainz.org/release/f5bda5c4-2c56-4e97-bb8a-f68ded82487b Release "Back on Top"
3. Web site: Micheal . Hann . 30 November 2017 . Van Morrison: Versatile review – lively trip through the swing songbook . 15 November 2022 . The Guardian.
4. Web site: Album – Classifica settimanale WK 49 (dal 2017-12-01 al 2017-12-07). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. it. 13 December 2017.
5. Web site: NZ Top 40 Albums Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 18 December 2017. 15 December 2017.
6. Web site: Top 100 Albumes — Semana 49: del 01.12.2017 al 07.12.2017. Productores de Música de España. es. 14 December 2017.