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Story of Them Featuring Van Morrison
Them, Van Morrison
Story of Them Featuring Van Morrison
Genres: Pop, Rock, Classic Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (26) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (24) - Disc #2

Unlike nearly all of their Brit Invasion brethren, there never was a Them reunion. For at least a couple of good reasons: Lead vocalist Van Morrison's fame as a solo artist quickly transcended the acclaim he earned as a ba...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Them, Van Morrison
Title: Story of Them Featuring Van Morrison
Members Wishing: 15
Total Copies: 0
Label: Polydor / Umgd
Original Release Date: 1/13/1998
Release Date: 1/13/1998
Genres: Pop, Rock, Classic Rock
Styles: Blues Rock, British Invasion
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPC: 042284483322

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Unlike nearly all of their Brit Invasion brethren, there never was a Them reunion. For at least a couple of good reasons: Lead vocalist Van Morrison's fame as a solo artist quickly transcended the acclaim he earned as a bandleader. Then, too, Them didn't really have a solid, identifiable lineup to reanimate. The ever-in-flux Belfast-based ensemble nevertheless ranks with the Animals and the Rolling Stones as fine purveyors of bullish, non-American '60s rhythm and blues. The Story of Them is the definitive account of the short-lived outfit. Fifty remarkably consistent tracks are spread out over two discs, including R&B standards ("Stormy Monday," "Turn on Your Lovelight," "I Got a Woman") and Morrison originals that laid the groundwork for his early live repertoire ("Gloria," "Mystic Eyes"). Other highlights include a powerhouse version of "Baby Please Don't Go" (with Jimmy Page soloing), fearless takes on Bob Dylan's "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" (Beck fans will recognize the sample that turns up on Odelay) and Paul Simon's "Richard Cory." Morrison's grown-up work is unassailable, but there's much to be said for what he accomplished as a snot-nosed rocker. --Steven Stolder

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CD Reviews

Them For Me!
PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 10/21/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"The music scene in Ireland in 1964, centered around the emerald isle's most popular group..."Them." This tuff bunch of scruffs was out of the Northern Ireland seaport of Belfast. Like Liverpool in Western England, Belfast youths could listen to American R & B and blues records brought into the city by the sailors from all over the world. These American records were apart of the culture of these two great ports-of-call.



As The Beatles were taking the world by storm, Van Morrison and his band were nightly playing pubs and small theaters from Belfast all the way south to Cork in The Republic. And like The Animals from Newcastle in the north of England, Them, was gritty and dirty, and so very cool to listen to!



This Two CD Set contains 49 tracks of great blues and R & B Music, that is the core of the music of Them. Driving bass & drums, slide guitar, harp, swirling organ, more gritty guitars, and those hard to understand vocals from Van. When I was a youngster, this music was like looking at a Playboy Magazine, forbidden fruit for the ears!



With: "Gloria", "Baby Please Don't Go", "Here Comes The Night", "Mystic Eyes", "Route 66" and "Call My Name", the hit singles are of course right here on thses discs. But, there is so much more to enjoy, "Richard Cory" was writen by Paul Simon as a folk song, but when Van & band perform this, it is miles away from folk. "Go On Home Baby" thumps along like nobody's business, "I'm Gonna Dress In Black" is sinister stuff, "I Got A Woman" is an introduction to the music of Ray Charles, that plays perfectly to the times. This is still: "Beat Music" but this is really much different from: "She Loves You" or "I Want To Hold Your Hand". Them, didn't want to hold your hand, thay wanted your older sister!



This music might sound tame to the ears of 2008, but for me, it is the sound that I couldn't get enough of in 1965, the sound of Van Morrison and his amazing band..."Them!"

FIVE STARS !!!

"
The Story of Them to be re-released this year!
EM Rich | Eagle Mountain, UT | 01/22/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off, "The Story of Them" is a great album. You haven't heard Van Morrison until you have heard "Mystic Eyes" (currently only available on the first "Sopranos" soundtrack) and Van's take on "Richard Cory." It's a shame that this album is currently out of print.



The good news is that Van Morrison's official website states that this album will be remastered and re-released this year, along with 28 other vintage Van Morrison albums.



Don't be gouged for an overpriced used copy when you can buy a new one in a few short months! When I wrote this review, someone was actually asking $175.00 for this. . ."