I dreamed we played cards in the dark

I guess this post carries on quite well from the last.

And not just through the link of the song 'Gloria'.

More in that Van Morrison is one of those artists whose longevity has diminshed his reputation. For me in any way. Not that I was always aware of his reputation. You see for years, growing up I knew Van Morrison for two things. First, as a short, perpetually miserable old man who always wore a hat and shades and mumbled his lyrics over some pretty awful music. I say 'lyrics' but such was the impenetrable nature of his mumbling that frankly he could have been ordering a chinese takeaway as much as singing. Second, and possibly more damning, was his duet with Cliff Richard. Neither of which particularly appealed to my musical tendencies then. Or indeed now.

But I can actually remember the moment I discovered Van Morrison. The moment I realised there was more to him than grumpy mumbling and dodgy pairings. And that moment came during my first year at university. Waking up, I put on the radio and caught the end of the Chris Evans show on Radio One. I know there was a specific reason why he chose to play this particular song but what it was, I forget. What I do remember, is the effect the song had on me. I froze. Transfixed by the sounds coming from the speakers. Here was something I hadn't heard before but knew I wanted to hear more. The song was 'Moondance' and you can't imagine my suprise at hearing it was Van Morrison. The voice was so soft and clear. The music tinged with jazz flicks and ticks. I bought the album of the same title that same day and was captivated by it's ten romantic, soulful, mystical, celebrational tracks.

Had he chosen the right time to quit, his would be a talent more widely celebrated than simply as that guy who wrote 'Brown Eyed Girl'. Listening to 'Moondance' again, it's almost forgivable that Van could turn into the irascible parody I initially knew him as. Almost. You have to wonder how many people will never listen to 'Moondance' or 'Astral Weeks' because they only know him from his persona and output of the last twenty years or so. It would be a great shame to have those records missing from your collection so I urge you to listen and buy.

Van Morrison - moondance from 'Moondance'

Van Morrison - these dreams of you from 'Moondance'

Van Morrison - sweet thing from 'Astral Weeks'

mp3 / music / van morrison