Van Morrison • Days Like This

Once I decided to go with the great Irish singer/songwriter Van Morrison, this whole thing took an interesting turn. I started off by thinking I would be posting a song I love, "These Are The Days", but as I was looking for that on YouTube, I came across "Days Like This", and I immediately knew I would have to go with it. Plus, as I watched the video, I thought to myself the backup singer, well, he's really hot. By the second time he was on screen, I was thinking I recognized him, but had no idea from where. This sent me to Wikipedia, where I discovered the hot guy was Irish singer Brian Kennedy, whose music I just discovered in the last week, and I had been listening to a collection of his hits, 'The RCA Years'. Well, it seems as though he started out as a background singer with Van Morrison, and I had his voice in my collection for a very long time. And that is because I really do love Van Morrison, and he's been part of my musical collection since I was in high school. Morrison's music was so interesting to me for not only did I love it, but I was also able to witness it evolve, for it really never sounded the same. This is Van Morrison singing "Days Like This", the title track off his 1995 album.

Have a great weekend!

Van Morrison • When Will I Ever Learn To Live With God

I thought I would start off the month with a little spiritual song from Van Morrison. I picked "When Will I Ever Learn To Live With God", a track off his beautiful and expressive 1989 album, 'Avalon Sunset'. I love that album, and in fact, love this song. There is something so soft, so ethereal about it. I was lucky enough to find an audio clip of Van singing the song live in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1989. I hope you enjoy it, and find it as perfect as I do to start your December off with Van Morrison singing "When Will I Ever Learn To Live With God".

Have a great Sunday!

Whenever God Shines His Light

Van Morrison teamed up with British legend Cliff Richard in 1989 for this beauty. They come together to sing Whenever God Shines His Light from the brilliant album, Avalon Sunset. While at first seeming to be a charming Pop confection, once again you see Morrison's spiritual path in his music.

Van Morrison Stones Me To My Soul

I don't know what bewitching powers Irish soul-singer Van Morrison has, but I know the minute I hear his music, I am enchanted. Whether it is the raw emotion he puts in all his work, or the total honesty found in his lyrics, the man never fails to blow me away. Whether I think of him as a singer, a songwriter, a poet, whatever, when Morrison speaks, it is time to sit back and listen.



I'll start off with one of my favorites, which has been covered by many, but never as well as when Van is singing with another great, Ray Charles. So, from the 1970 album Moondance, here is Crazy Love.



The title cut from the album is another that has been oft covered, but I still go back to the original when I want it sung right. In 1979 Morrison performed the song in Ireland. Here is Moondance. Much of Morrison's work seemed to be either detailing or arguing about his spiritual journey or one of love. One gets the feeling it was not an easy path for him, but it did lead to some amazing music.



The next clip was a hit song in 1964, when Morrison was part of the band Them. Gloria is an amazing song unto itself, but when Morrison is joined by the gifted John Lee Hooker, it takes it to another level altogether.



In 1970, Morrison had a hit with Domino, a single from the His Band And The Street Choir album. It rocked out as only Van Morrison could, from the soul out. Watch him perform on the old Midnight Special show, in 1977



Finally, in 1995 Van released this title cut from his album Days Like This. The release of the album was 28 years since the release of his solo music, and over 30 years since he topped the charts with his music from the band Them. But this simple and soulful lays it on the line - "his mama told him there'd be days like this." She was right.



For more about the utterly brilliant Mr. Van Morrison, you can check out his official website here. You can also purchase his music at almost any outlet that has music. If you haven't already, I would advise you to do it now. It is most certainly good for the soul.

Kiss Me, I'm Irish Day!

Yes, it is St. Patrick's Day. And I love me some Irish music, and thought it was a fantastic chance to put some out there. I've never been to Ireland, although some in the family have, to visit relatives who still live there. Hope to get the chance someday. Above are some beautiful pictures of the country I found online. Gorgeous!

So, here are some of my favorite Irish singers. In deciding to do this post, it took me forever, for I was having a field day going through a variety of artists and songs. Finally, I pared the list down to include Sinead O'Connor, The Corrs, Bono, Van Morris and the Chieftains. Honestly, I had a great time listing to this before I finished off the post, Even when I went back. That means I really like this one! First, I'll start with Ronan Keating, who really does have a lovely voice which is well-suited to singing traditional music.

Ronan Keating The Wild Mountain Thyme



Ronan Keating Carrickfergus



Van Morrison & The Chieftains - Celtic Ray



The Chieftains & the Corrs - Instrumental



The Chieftains & Sinead O'Connor - The Foggy Dew



The Corrs & Bono


So Happy St. Patick's Day!

New Followers - TrannyBeth & Brighton J

Left to right: Brighton J and Beth.

I would like to welcome two new followers to Soundtrack to my Day. First, let me just ask, 'TrannyBeth, what the hell took you so long?!' OK, that might be harsh, but she is one of the major reasons I have a blog at all, and it sure feels nice to have her on board! You can check out her blog Blind As A Bat here. When you visit, check out the gorgeous pictures she takes, as well as those beautiful children she gave birth to. And in case you don't notice from the picture, she is one hot mamma!

Also, a hearty welcome for Brighton J, although, sadly, I don't know much about them. In the 'About Me:' section, it also says Brave Little Pop Star's, and there lists a website of the same name, yet I can't seem to open it. So, all I can offer is a huge hello!

As is the tradition here, I like to welcome people with music. So, this time out the gate, I chose to go with a Little Van Morrison, cause he just amazing. And, since it is Sunday morning, I thought I would go with Van singing Into The Mystic from his Moondance album.

Sunday Morning with Van Morrison & Cliff Richard

This song just seemed like the right one for this Sunday morning. Enjoy.