Van Morrison

Van Morrison scored one of his biggest commercial successes with Avalon Sunset, a record highlighted by the gorgeous "Have I Told You Lately," one of his most heartfelt love songs and a major radio hit which helped introduce his music to a new generation of listeners. Not a consistently strong LP, Avalon Sunset is nevertheless the work of a master craftsman, its lush orchestration and atmospheric production casting an irresistibly elegant spell; a deeply spiritual record, it also includes the standout opener "Whenever God Shines His Light," a collaboration with Cliff Richard. [This marks the second reissue for Avalon Sunset. It was remastered in the earlier part of the decade, in the U.K.., and sold in the United States as a straight catalog item. Morrison fans will have to decide whether the addition of an alternate take of "Wherever God Shines His Light," and Morrison's reading of "When the Saints Go Marching In" are worth their hard-earned dollars.] ~ Jason Ankeny and Thom Jurek, All Music Guide