For an artist who's doggedly album-oriented, plus a songwriter who revels in subtlety, Van Morrison doesn't seem like a logical candidate for a successful greatest-hits compilation. Nevertheless, The Best of Van Morrison is a crackerjack compilation, tracing Van the Man from his days with Them, through his best-known tunes ("Brown-Eyed Girl," "Moondance," "Blue Money," "Wild Night"), to highlights from the '70s and '80s cult efforts, topped off by "Wonderful Remark," a song first heard on the King of Comedy soundtrack. This collection makes Morrison's work seem a little more immediate and accessible than it usually is, but that's a blessing, since it provides a great summary of his hits and a nice introduction for the curious. Yes, it could have dug deeper into the catalog, but as a sampler, it can't be faulted.

Track List:
A1 Bright Side Of The Road
A2 Gloria
A3 Moondance
A4 Baby Please Don't Go
A5 Have I Told You Lately
A6 Brown Eyed Girl
A7 Sweet Thing
A8 Warm Love
B1 Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)
B2 And It Stoned Me
B3 Here Comes The Night
B4 Domino
B5 Did Ye Get Healed
B6 Wild Night
B7 Cleaning Windows
B8 Whenever God Shines His Light