Van Morrison must be coming up to 65, and still has a brilliant voice, with each of his tracks showing his signature remarkable musicianship and beautiful lyrics.

This is an artist who I have gained a love of from my parents, both strong music lovers with an acquired taste for a mix of artists, some better than others!

Whether religious or not his music will appeal, but some of his tracks have a strong hint of optimism and are heavily influenced by his Christian faith. The instruments used tend to complement the vocals well, making the vocals the centrepiece of the tracks.

Just had a look for gig tickets & the cheapest is £45 so doesn't look like we'll be seeing him this year!

Here's my track by track analysis of the Best of album, and in terms of pricing and availability, this won't be very expensive and is available from any HMV. Amazon pricing is £5.

--Track by track analysis--

1. Bright side of the road

This is SUCH an uplifting song, with its meaning transparent to anyone who listens to it, it's about looking on the bright side and taking each day as it comes.
The first time I heard it was driving through the Lake District at 17 with my first love and so it reminds me somewhat of green forests, sweeping roads through Cumbrian valleys and tiny winding national speed limit roads through the country. It's second personal connotation for me is my brief stint at University, catching the packed 70 capacity double decker bus to lectures and always being late!

2. Gloria

This isn't my favourite track on the album as I find his voice rather gravelly for easy listening, however this is one of his popular tracks and it has a certain catchy quality, aided by the beat and melody. About a girlfriend called Gloria! So if you have a Gloria in your life, she should definitely hear this song! Even though it isn't my personal favourite, it is still a strong track musically.

3. Moondance

This track is a very soft, sweet, romantic one and reminds me of my boyfriend making a joke about Van Morrison probably serenading all his lovers with this! Lovely track.

4. Baby Please Don't Go

The name speaks for itself, and this track is quite a bit more fast paced than the one before it. I like the catchy rhythm and melody.

5. Have I Told You Lately

Very romantic, slow and gorgeous piano.

6. Brown Eyed Girl

Probably the best known Van Morrison track. Having a bit of a tendency to fall for people with brown eyes, this song appeals in more ways than one! I have blue eyes so no one will be singing this to me :( This song is a brilliant song, very catchy and laid back and feel good!
I have a random fact for you - the guy who plays House in House names this as his favourite song and I have to agree with him!

7. Sweet Thing

"And I will never grow so old again." This song has a sad tone to it, perhaps nostalgic. One of my favourites off the album.

8. Warm Love

A song all about the warm kind of love with references to cosy nights in and features of a comforting relationship where feelings are mutual.

9. Wonderful Remark

I haven't listened to this one a great deal, but it sounds like an uplifting track which tells a story. -The best kind of music as Bob Dylan will inform you!
*I now have this music on full blast as all my housemates are out ;)

10. Jackie Wilson said

I'm constantly reminded of the author Jacqueline Wilson whenever I see this song title but I'm sure he's not referring to her!! Not the strongest track on the album, but quite fast.

11. Full Force Gale

This song is the cheeriest song I have ever heard -possibly! Never fails to cheer me up, though I'm agnostic and religion is not part of daily life for me at all, I feel this song appeals to the spiritual tendency in most of us and encapsulates the contentment that certain things in life bring us. For Van this may be finding his faith but this can apply to whatever makes you happy. Listen to this song to put a smile on your face!

12. And It Stoned Me

This song confused us for a while, until we Googled the lyric "Stoned me just like jellyroll" and found this was an interesting euphemism for sex! A truly beautiful song anyway, one of my favourites. Yes, we did listen to it on holiday in Amsterdam for a laugh too ;) In all seriousness, it is about things in life which have the effect of "stupefying" and make you look on in amazement and could apply to anything. "As we drove on home/We sang a song/Though our throats were getting dry" This has connotations of getting back from a concert or brilliant day/night out with friends of the kind you will never forget.

13. Here Comes The Night

I love this song!! As I have always loved the nighttime. This song is about a variety of things, but makes me think of the feeling you get walking home slowly at sunset.

14. Domino

I haven't listened to this one very much, I think it's topic is how certain things you have no control over, referring perhaps to the "domino" effect. Some pretty cool jazz influences throughout this track.

15. Did Ye Get Healed?

Not listened to this one much either, strange song title, another title showing off the beauty of Van's voice.

16. Wild Night

Self explanatory title, love this song. Reminds me of walking around Bristol.
Fast paced, feel good melody.

17. Cleaning Windows

Haven't listened to this song much, I love how Van makes songs like this sound easy to sing!

18. Whenever God Shines His Light

I absolutely adore this song. Filled with faith and optimism, "in deep confusion, in great despair, I reach out for him, he will be there/ within your troubles, you can share" Many of the sentiments expressed about a deity, can also apply to a great friend.

19. Queen of the slipstream

With opening lyrics reminiscent of the earlier track, Have I told you lately, this song is another pretty track.
The slipstream is a current of air which keeps an aeroplane float, so in a beautifully romantic way, Van is suggesting that this girl is keeping him feeling high.

20. Dweller on the threshold

I love this track, it's jazzy notes and harmonies emphasise the happy mood it is portraying. Interpret it how you like, but I like to think it's all about an outsider, or else someone anxiously awaiting someone!

Five Dooyoo stars, well worth a listen for any music lover. Really enjoyed listening to this album while reviewing it too!!