Van Morrison

[Parrot Monkey]

Just thought I start an “other artist” thread on the great Van Morrison, as I’ve been discovering his early catalogue lately. I grew up listening to the “Best of…” compilation, but in the past few months I’ve been starting to collect the CD releases of his early albums one by one. So far I own Astral Weeks, Moondance, His Band and the Street Choir, Tupelo Honey and Into the Music (the last one being an imported re-master).

What got me started on collecting Van’s albums was this song that was played at my brother’s wedding in December 2000. What was strange was that every last couple got on the dance floor for the song, and afterwards, no one could tell me the name of it! I spent four years wondering what the song was, as I only remembered the bass line and the horn parts (no lyrics were in my memory). This changed when I picked up Moondance last year. I saw a Van Morrison CD for about $8 and bought it, but little did I know the mystery song was contained within: Into the Mystic! Hard to believe that one never made it to “The Best of…” when the quality of the song is superior (it’s somewhere in the Rolling Stone top 500 as a matter of fact) and casual fans have been exposed to it (radio play, store muzak etc.)

Anyway, I ended up liking the entire Moondance CD and went and asked for more for Christmas, and spent some money on a few more.

My current Van favorites are Sweet Thing, The Way Young Lovers Do, Moondance, Crazy Love, Into the Mystic, These Dreams of You, Domino, Give Me a Kiss, Tupelo Honey, Bright Side of the Road, You Make Me Feel So Free… Oh, heck, there are no duds on any of those albums!

My dad any brother saw him live in Clearwater in 1997 when I wasn’t interested yet, and boy do I regret not going to that.

So, does anyone else have any Van favorites or experiences they would like to share? Any recommendations or my next CD or to others starting a Van collection?

[citcat]

Van is so cool, he must be an alien. He plays in Ireland and the US. I saw a television story on him and he was playing in a small Irish bar with other great musicians, just jammin'. Can you imagine, walking into a pub in Ireland and there he is, singing those songs? Wow. And when I was in college, all the bands played "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Domino". Some pret-ty good memories, the kind that last a lifetime come from those songs. Whenever I hear them now, I go back. *sigh*

[tommcat327]

one of my all time favorite artists.there is always at least one disc in the changer

[IsleReef]

He's one of those "I don't like him but I don't hate him" artists......

[photogal]

I LOVE VAN! Go get his last two albums. I really liked Down the Road. The other was Whats wrong with this picture. He's great live, just dont expect him to say anything. I heard he has stage fright. He doesnt say a thing, sings and leaves. But still awsome!

[pbans]

"Into the Mystic" from the Moondance album is one of my favorite songs EVER.....big Van Morrison fan...if you don't already have "Moondance" it's a must have, in my opinion. I never get tired of listening to it!

[weirdo0521]

I've been a big fan of his for years.......I highly recommend Van Morrison and the Chieftains Irish Heartbeat.traditional Irish songs but Van's voice really makes the difference...also well worth the $...Philosopher's Stone..I could go on and on....seen him several times.....If you watch the Sopranos, they made great use of "Glad Tidings".....

[weirdo0521]

Be sure to check out his work with Them ......G-L-O-R-I-A !

[phjrsaunt]

"Into the Mystic" is SOOOOOOOO goooooooooooooood!!!!!!!

[tikitatas]

Every basement band since 1968 has played "Gloria" and I still love it!!! Yes, as Tomm said, there is always at least one Van CD in my changer . . .

[ragtopW]

Every basement band since 1968 has played "Gloria" and I still love it!!! Yes, as Tomm said, there is always at least one Van CD in my changer . . .

I saw the Dead Do Gloria!!!! the same night they did EL Paso..

[weirdo0521]

Every basement band since 1968 has played "Gloria" and I still love it!!! Yes, as Tomm said, there is always at least one Van CD in my changer . . .

I saw the Dead Do Gloria!!!! the same night they did EL Paso..

Where was that?.....I think your memory might be a little foggy.....

[ragtopW]

Every basement band since 1968 has played "Gloria" and I still love it!!! Yes, as Tomm said, there is always at least one Van CD in my changer . . .

I saw the Dead Do Gloria!!!! the same night they did EL Paso..

Where was that?.....I think your memory might be a little foggy.....

the last Cal Expo Show.. Sacramento California...

[ragtopW]

Every basement band since 1968 has played "Gloria" and I still love it!!! Yes, as Tomm said, there is always at least one Van CD in my changer . . .

I saw the Dead Do Gloria!!!! the same night they did EL Paso..

Where was that?.....I think your memory might be a little foggy.....

you are correct they did Gloria in '93 and El Paso in '94
Was Cal Expo though

[weirdo0521]

Every basement band since 1968 has played "Gloria" and I still love it!!! Yes, as Tomm said, there is always at least one Van CD in my changer . . .

I saw the Dead Do Gloria!!!! the same night they did EL Paso..

Where was that?.....I think your memory might be a little foggy.....

you are correct they did Gloria in '93 and El Paso in '94
Was Cal Expo though

I just got Cal Expo 6-10-90 good stuff

[buffettbride]

My favorite is "Into the Mystic". It makes my knees weak.

[ragtopW]

Moondance still does it for me...

[captainjoe]

"Dweller on the Threshold" "Cleaning Windows" and "Moondance" are my favs. He is damn good!

[Drumkat]

one of my all time favorite albums is "Days like this."

"Healing game" is great too - all later stuff I've mentioned but worht checking out!!!!

[weirdo0521]

one of my all time favorite albums is "Days like this."

"Healing game" is great too - all later stuff I've mentioned but worht checking out!!!!

Awesome album..I love "Perfect Fit"