I love the Van Morrison. I have since I was a kid, when I discovered my parents' albums (that are now in my possession) which were a treasure trove of musical goodness of Aretha, Otis Redding, and Morrison. His Band and the Street Choir was my favorite then and I still love it. Back then it was all about the voice and the sax, but now I appreciate the subtlety of some of the songs, the lyrics, the genius of a singer/songwriter who makes you feel. And he hails from Ireland. A soul singer from Ireland. Sweet.
Here's a blurb from Morrison's Wikipedia:
Van Morrison (George Ivan Morrison, OBE, born 31 August 1945 in Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a critically acclaimed[1][2] singer and songwriter with a reputation for being at once stubborn,[3][4] idiosyncratic,[5] and sublime.[6] His live performances at their best are seen as transcendental and inspired;[7][8] while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are acclaimed as among the greatest ever made.
Known as "Van the Man" by his fans, Morrison started his professional career when, as a young teenager in the late 1950s, he played a variety of instruments, including the guitar, harmonica, keyboards, and saxophone, in a range of Irish showbands who covered the popular hits of the day, before rising to prominence in the mid-1960s as the lead singer of the gritty Northern Irish R&B band Them with whom he recorded the garage band classic, "Gloria". His solo career began under the pop-hit oriented guidance of Bert Berns with the release of the hit single "Brown Eyed Girl" in 1967. After Berns' death, Warner Bros. Records bought out his contract and allowed him several sessions to record Astral Weeks in 1968.[9] Even though this album would gradually garner high praise, it was initially poorly received; however, the next one, Moondance, established Morrison as a major artist,[10] and throughout the 1970s he built on his reputation with a series of critically acclaimed albums and live performances. Morrison continues to record and tour, producing albums and live performances that sell well and are generally warmly received; sometimes collaborating with other artists, such as Georgie Fame and The Chieftains. In 2008 he performed Astral Weeks live for the first time since 1968.
You've heard "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Gloria" at least a hundred times, so I thought I'd give you some of my favorites.
"If I Ever Needed Someone" is a beautiful song that I've always liked. It's a prayer, it's desperate, it's honest, and it's just a magnificent song.
If I Ever Needed Someone (LP Version) - Van Morrison Next is "Gypsy Queen." It's the only song that I know of that mentions a carburetor.
Gypsy Queen ( LP Version) - Van Morrison
"Into the Mystic" is a definite favorite. It should be required listening for everyone, especially those growing up with the Disneyfication of music these days. The title is perfect and sounds like a book I'd like to read, if it were a book.
Into The Mystic - VAN MORRISON
Next is an odd one. "Crazy Face" has lyrics that sound like something you would dream.
All the people were waiting for Crazy Face He said he'd meet them at his favourite place Dressed in black satin, white linen and lace With his head held high and a smile on his face And he said: 'Ladies and gentlemen, the prince is late' As he stood outside the church-yard gate And polished up on his .38 And said: 'I got it from Jesse James'See? I told you. It reminds me a lot of Counting Crows lyrics. You know I love that.
Crazy Face (LP Version) - Van Morrison
Finally, because I know it's bound to be a sad fact that many of you have never heard the man sing the original, here's "Wild Night."
Wild Night - Van Morrison
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