Original air date January 25, 2011 | Time 59:00 | File size 55mg | MP3
Van Morrison, Irish singer-songnwriter and transcendental musician
He released "Astral Weeks" in 1968 followed by "Moondance" in 1970. His unusual style was shaped by listening the his father's record collection when he was growing up: Ray Charles, Lead Belly, the blues of Muddy Waters, the gospel of Mahalia Jackson, the jazz of Charlie Parker, the folk music of Woody Guthrie, the country music of Hank Williams and his own native Irish Celtic music. His 1974 "Veedon Fleece" is in the mystical vein of Astral Weeks. His latest album "Keep It Simple" from 2008 is a brilliant work from a mature master musician.