Story Of Them Featuring Van Morrison, The

構成数 : 2枚
合計収録時間 : 02:23:34
Them includes: Van Morrison (vocals, harmonica); Billy Harrison, Jim Armstrong (guitar); Ray Elliot (flute, saxophone, keyboards); Pat McAuley (organ, drums); Jackie McAuley (keyboards); Alan Henderson (bass); Ronnie Millings, John Wilson (drums).
Recorded between 1964 and 1966. Includes liner notes by Jon Astley
Digitally remastered from the original analogue masters by Jon Astley.
This double-disc anthology of the Van Morrison-fronted Irish R&B/garage rock band is essential not just to Van fans but anyone interested in how American musical traditions were transmogrified overseas in the mid-'60s. Along with Brits like the Spencer Davis Group and The Yardbirds, Them applied a contemporary twist to the music of their American heroes. Ray Charles' "I Got A Woman," Jimmy Reed's "Bright Lights, Big City" and others benefit from the unbridled enthusiasm and electric verve of Them's versions.
Covering material from the band's entire Van-era career (they continued touring and recording for years after his departure), THE STORY OF THEM, which also contains some alternate takes and previously unreleased material, is basically everything you need by this seminal Irish group. Material like "Friday's Child" and "Bad or Good" offers an early view of Morrison the songwriter, foreshadowing his solo career. First and foremost, though, Them was a band, not just a vehicle for Morrison, and their raw, energetic ensemble work shines through, especially on garage band classics such as "Gloria" and "Here Comes The Night."