In Ten Tracks is not a best of or greatest hits or even necessarily a list of favorites. They're songs by an artist that stuck with me for various reasons through the years. Mix tape/playlist staples
From 1997 the UK vinyl pressing of The Healing Game. Great sounding record and awesome collection of songs. One of those rare records you need to set aside the time to listen to both sides now.
"Summertime In England" is an excellent choice. It reached even greater heights live. I saw Van perform it a couple of times way back when. I've seen shows where Van is truly on, that reach a spiritual level. No more so than in the call and response section of "Summertime In England". "Vanlose Stairway" from that era is another example.
Amazing! From most of my least favorite Van Morrison albums. Quite a feat of patient listening to find these songs: There’s always something worth listening to if you look hard enough.
I'll go with those mate. Is Hard Nose really badly thought of by Van fans? It's one of my faves, Purple Heather being the highlight. I'd have found room for something off His Band and the Street Choir, maybe his blackest album. And maybe Coney Island which always reminds me of when me and the missus were young.
Great list, although I don't know the last couple...he stopped thrilling me a while ago, even before he turned into the anti-vax loony he is now. Also, I used to skip Snow In San Anselmo, but now I like the way it introduces what really is a fine album, so good call! The biggest mystery about Morrison's discography is why Tupelo Honey is still off Spotify. While not the most consequential of his early run, it's damned good!
From 1997 the UK vinyl pressing of The Healing Game. Great sounding record and awesome collection of songs. One of those rare records you need to set aside the time to listen to both sides now.
No Van top ten is complete without Listen to the Lion or And it stoned me.
"Summertime In England" is an excellent choice. It reached even greater heights live. I saw Van perform it a couple of times way back when. I've seen shows where Van is truly on, that reach a spiritual level. No more so than in the call and response section of "Summertime In England". "Vanlose Stairway" from that era is another example.
Amazing! From most of my least favorite Van Morrison albums. Quite a feat of patient listening to find these songs: There’s always something worth listening to if you look hard enough.
Good list. I've been working my way through his catalog and there are gems everywhere. You've got a few I haven't heard yet that I will check out.
Cleaning Windows and Days Like This are also among my favorite Van songs. Nice list.
I'll go with those mate. Is Hard Nose really badly thought of by Van fans? It's one of my faves, Purple Heather being the highlight. I'd have found room for something off His Band and the Street Choir, maybe his blackest album. And maybe Coney Island which always reminds me of when me and the missus were young.
Great list. Now to play some Van! Thank you.
Thanks much for this.
Dream you may have missed
Chet Baker Live At Ronnie Scott's
Send In The Clowns w/ Van
https://youtu.be/OoHBUtGMxFs?si=ubJVXgg8ii2e4UIn
Huge lifelong Van fan here, and it's hard to argue with any of these choices...so I won't. Great stuff!
And the Healing Has Begun
Bright Side of the Road
It's All in the Game
Whenever God Shines His Light
Great list, although I don't know the last couple...he stopped thrilling me a while ago, even before he turned into the anti-vax loony he is now. Also, I used to skip Snow In San Anselmo, but now I like the way it introduces what really is a fine album, so good call! The biggest mystery about Morrison's discography is why Tupelo Honey is still off Spotify. While not the most consequential of his early run, it's damned good!