SONY LEGACY GETS ITS VAN ON

Sony Legacy has acquired the rights to some 50 years of music by the legendary Van Morrison. This includes all his post-1972 solo albums and albums by his group Them. 33 titles in all will be made available as digital releases and via streaming services, and a 37-song Essential set will be released for both downloading and as a 2-CD set. Look for more about this treasure trove of releases in our Critics' Choice section very soon.

Among the Irish singer/songwriter's albums to be issued are Saint Dominic's Preview, Veedon Fleece, A Period of Transition, Wavelength, No Guru, No Method, No Teacher, Avalon Sunset, Days Like This and his 2009 live performance of Astral Weeks at the Hollywood Bowl.

Morrison is in both the Rock and Roll and Songwriters' Halls of Fame, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, won six Grammys, a BRIT and an Ivor Novelllo, is #42 on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and, oh, you know, just a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth, so he should really be referred to as Sir George Van Morrison. Which has a nice ring to it.

Legacy President Adam Block hailed Morrison as "one of the great singers, performers and musical artists in the history of recorded music," and expressed pride in being able to partner with the artist to "protect and curate his astounding catalog."

Look for more about this treasure trove of releases in our Critics' Choice section very soon.