March 25, 2013

Best Van Morrison Songs - The Jazz Standards

Classic jazz has always been an important influence in Van Morrison's work. From his parents' record collection through to his days as a saxophone player in Irish showband The Monarchs (with stints at military bases in Germany), Van was steeped in the tradition. His setlists from the early 1970s onward often featured heavy swing numbers, and he even recorded a straight-up swing record for 1995's How Long's This Been Going On. And on that collection he revisited a few earlier Van Morrison songs, two of which made my list here:

"I Will Be There"- Saint Dominic's Preview (1972)


This record includes some of his best arrangements period, and "I Will Be There" is a great example. Featuring great saxophone lines, tasteful bluesy vocals, and one of the best endings of all Van Morrison songs - "gonna grab my razor, and my suitcase, and my toothbrush, and my overcoat, and my underwear - I! Will! Be! There!" It's also one of the rare occasions where Van seems to be having a lot of fun on record, and we get a rare glimpse into his sense of humor.


"Moondance" - Moondance (1970)


Like "I Will Be There," this song reappeared in a new album version in 1995. But this is the version everyone knows, and the one that includes that somewhat regrettable flute. I've nothing personal against flutes (not that I know of at least), but its presence really dates this song. Like every wince-worthy 60s movie soundtrack. Yet the recording endures because, as is so often the case with Van Morrison songs, the composition is quality. Besides the flute, my only other regret is that Pee Wee Ellis wasn't in the band at the time to take the sax solo.


"The Way Young Lovers Do" - Astral Weeks (1968)


Though often dismissed by critics as out of place on Astral Weeks, it's one of my favorite tracks on the record. The horn arrangements alone are enough to make my list, but there's quite a bit more to appreciate. Van's steady acoustic strumming, the pocket groove from Connie Kay (drums) and Richard Davis (bass), the trombone solo, the disconcerting play of the strings. And a great example of how music can completely transform a text - this sweet love poem on paper takes on a constant sense of gloom in the context of the music. As though love and life always have a dark side, the way young lovers do.


Whenever I talk about Van Morrison I always want to tell people about another favorite artist, prattle on, rick. Deeply influenced by Van's music, prattle on, rick. preserves Van's heartfelt, dreamy aesthetic and updates it in a lovely modern folk-pop sound. Do yourself the favor of downloading some of their music for free at http://prattleonrickmusic.com/


You can read the other articles in my Best Van Morrison Songs: 30 Essentials series, available at my profile.

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