Some artists seem to have been around forever. Like Van Morrison.
With an astounding 40 albums to his credit, his music has been part of the soundtrack of my life, especially during my high school and college years in California. But, really, his presence goes back even further.
Dating myself here, but what else is new? I remember a group of peers in junior high school doing a cover of "Gloria," the hit single performed by the Irish band Them, with Morrison on lead vocals.
After that came "Brown Eyed Girl," a staple at wedding receptions, and a string of solo albums including my favorite, Moondance," the one that spawned the title track plus "Into The Mystic" and "These Dreams of You."
Over the years, Van the Man has just pumped out the music, crossing back and forth amongst several genres including folk, rock, blues, R&B, soul, jazz and gospel. Through it all, he has sounded like only he can, impossible to categorize. Or, as the critic Greil Marcus puts it: "No white man sings like Van Morrison."
The dude is 67 years old and still bringing it.
Here are three of my favorites:
With an astounding 40 albums to his credit, his music has been part of the soundtrack of my life, especially during my high school and college years in California. But, really, his presence goes back even further.
Dating myself here, but what else is new? I remember a group of peers in junior high school doing a cover of "Gloria," the hit single performed by the Irish band Them, with Morrison on lead vocals.
After that came "Brown Eyed Girl," a staple at wedding receptions, and a string of solo albums including my favorite, Moondance," the one that spawned the title track plus "Into The Mystic" and "These Dreams of You."
Over the years, Van the Man has just pumped out the music, crossing back and forth amongst several genres including folk, rock, blues, R&B, soul, jazz and gospel. Through it all, he has sounded like only he can, impossible to categorize. Or, as the critic Greil Marcus puts it: "No white man sings like Van Morrison."
The dude is 67 years old and still bringing it.
Here are three of my favorites: