VAN Morrison has revisited some of his lesser-known songs for his new album and has called on the services of Mavis Staples, George Benson, Taj Mahal, Mick Hucknall and the late Bobby Womack.

The Irishman, who turns 70 in August, duets with them and also with Mark Knopfler, Natalie Cole, Joss Stone, Chris Farlowe and Morrison's daughter, Shana.

Morrison chose the artists he most respects to "re-craft and re-imagine" the songs, which were recorded in Belfast and London over the last year. He deliberately steered clear of his best-known songs.

Womack, who died last June, duets on Some Peace of Mind, from Morrison's 1991 album, Hymns to the Silence, while Staples sings on Lord, If I Ever Needed Someone, from the 1970 LP His Band and the Street Choir. Knopfler appears on Irish Heartbeat, from the 1988 album of the same name which Morrison recorded with The Chieftains.

The first single is Real Real Gone, with Michael Bublé. Duets: Re-working the Catalogue, Morrison's 35th studio album, was recorded by Don Was and Bob Rock and will be released in the UK on March 16.