He's badly miscast as a soft rock musician, Seals and Croft he ain't.  Sure he has hit a few low spots, "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You" has to be the sentimental bottom of the barrell.  But his career has produced land mark recording in blue-eyed soul, R&B, folk, jazz, blues, country, celtic, rock and roll, spiritual new age mysticism, baroque hippie pop, Irish soul music.  He's a cranky, brooding soulful genius, words you'd never hear in relation to Loggins and Messina, Dan Fogelberg, Dan Seals, Dan Hill or England Dan and John Ford Coley.

I know a lot of people like Van Morrison but to me he seems really annoying w/his delivery and I don't think his songs age well.

He is definitely one of the Greats, a true original. What a voice! He can sound so tender, romantic, so soothing. Rumor is he's a major jerk. I don't believe it!  

UPDATE: His early album, "Astral Weeks", is a classic. Check out "Madame George."

I wouldn't call this soft rock either. I demand a recount, who decided these categories? Morrison is a fine singer and musician, but he ain't elevator music.

Van Morrison a soft rock musician? Yeah, and just about every other kind of musician too. A much-honored Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, his music spans a number of genres he's gutsily explored through the decades: rock, blues, blue-eyed soul, R&B, Celtic folk, pop ballads, jazz, and even a little country. His sometimes gravelly, growly, world-weary voice is incomparable. I became addicted to him after hearing his "Poetic Champions Compose" album (1987)--wonderfully melodious with great instrumentation, soulful, bluesy, brooding, lush, hauntingly beautiful, jazz-tinged, with a definite Celtic influence. Qualifies as soft rock, but it's other genres too. My favorite track is "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child"--if you like it, you'll like the rest of the album. It led me to appreciate his early rock, soul and R&B-influenced songs, such as "Brown Eyed Girl", "Domino", "Blue Money", and "Wild Night," and his seventies albums such as "Moondance" and "Astral Weeks", but it's his post-seventies work that really makes me a fan.

Objectively I can see at least he has some talent. But his music does nothing for me. It's all a bit too 'crafted' like it's been tinkered about with endlessly until all the soul's been sucked dry.

I wouldn't call songs like "Gloria" soft rock-but I like some of his mellower stuff too.

Growing to an almost 5 star act for me! Love Bright side of the road!

It doesn't matter to me if he's a grump; I listen for the music, not the personality. (I learned that a long time ago when I observed Billy Joe, early in his career, being a real dickhead at a college concert I was involved in producing. It soured me on him for a long time, but his music eventually won me over.) I love that he explores other sounds with blues and jazz artists.

Incredible singer and songwriter, from his days in the Belfast R&b / rock band Them till today. Astral Weeks and Moondance are must have albums. Talented artist who is not afraid to make changes to his sound : he's done everything from blues to garage rock to avant garde jazz to traditional Irish music and more. However, little of his music fits the soft rock format, except for maybe "Have I told You Lately?"

Classic rock forever.

He had a distictive sound in the 60s and 70s. Moondance is my fav of his.

His album Moondance will always be one of my top 10 favorite albums of all time. I just love his sound.

One of the finest singer songwriters in the history of music. He continues to bang out quality c.d.'s- his latest is excellent

I like Moondance. The first time i heard it, I thought he was Black. Then I found out that he was White.

DA BEST.

Happy birthday, Van!!!!!!!!!! You're 60 years old now! Congratulations! If I'm correct, then today you're playing in California. Good luck, my friend. Love, from your biggest fan, Helene De Munter...

Great Singer-Songwriter. His last 2 albums are awesome. I can't remember the last arena tour he did in America. He does tend to play small venues. Can be crotchety during shows.

makes me want to be deaf..

He's the King of Celtic Soul. Many times I thought there wasn't any better music than The Beatles'. I admire his spirit, which he has put in song like 'Spanish Steps', 'And The Healing Has Begun', 'Professional Jealousy' and 'Orangefield'. He's like the Cadillac of great poets. I admire his style and his great taste. Everything he does, fits together like black-white-and grey. I remember the time when I was knocking up an owl made of clay while 'I've Been Working' was on the radio, and those days were the best of my life, not to mention that his songs even have more than one style: jazz,blues and soul, soft-rock, country, r&b , classical rock, pop, classical, and so on... I am really fond of the covers, and he's definitely a very handsome man. There is no such thing as a day without hearing Van Morrison.It doens't matter what song you will hear, just buy a record and you will see what you get. If you have something older like 'Browneyed Girl', 'Gloria' or 'He Ain't Give You None', you can dance till the morning comes. Or if you have a different taste and you lay down listening to something more specific like 'So Quiet In Here', 'Queen Of The Slipstream','Got To Go Back' or 'Ancient Highway', you will be very lucky when you use a little of your imagination. Personally, I have 'Moondance', 'Poetic Champion Compose', 'Into The Music', 'No Guru,no Method, no Teacher', Too Long in Exile' and 'The Best Of Van Morrison' at home+4 copies of other cd's. I cannot decide which song is actually the best, but I'm sure I'll be able to figure that out someday. Now my truly real opinion (:p): good going my dear, you make our hearts go faster and stronger through the days, you make our soul and spirit into the mystic :d, and I'm so glad I will see you in Antwerp in two months... We all love you. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Sincerely, H.De Munter, Belgium

About the rumours: Van Morrison is NOT A JERK!!!!!!! About his concerts: they are NOT SHORT and NOT PLAYD TOO PERFECT!! About his eyes: they are NOT SCARY!!!! Yesterday some kid said that Van Morrison is dead and I didn't believe him, but he kept on saying that and suddenly I thought he was right but then he said: no wait, it's Jim Morrison. By that time I was already crying, so that means that Van Morrison means a lot to me. No other musician can turn every day-how cold it may be-in an unforgetable page in the book of emotional history. I'm counting the days to see him in Antwerp next June. When I saw Paul McCartney on the second of April next year I was just sitting down, behaving calm and polite, but this concert I will run, scream, wait for him to come outside the building and ask for his autograph. And study an exam on forehand because...the concert is on the night before...the maths exam? God...save me...

I love Van Morrison, he's a fantabulous musician and a wonderful songwriter. My favourite album is No Guru, no Method, no Teacher, but I also love Into The Music and Too Long in Exile. To be honest...not one of his albums is entirely perfect, that's why I have at least one favourite song on each one of his albums. I love his voice. I bought a biography about him called The Art of Van Morrison, so now I know what jelly roll means, that's very funny. And there's something strange about his old school called Orangefield==>it looks like a part of mine very very much, you should compare them one of these days (my school is called sint-vincentius in gijzegem) and well...sometimes I think I'm just like him...I think he's a real dreamer, so am I, just not as frank as him. I aslo bought his Anthology to play on the piano, so I can play Moondance or Have I told You Lately anytime I want. Since I redecorated my room (which I do every time when I have a new favourite musician), my room is full of pictures of him. I can't keep my eyes of those. I must say he was a pretty man ;). Almost forgot the most important thing : he's coming to Antwerp on 17 May!!!!!!! And I have a ticket!!! Yeah!!!! P.S. I don't believe he's a majure jurk either. I think he's just...well...bitter, I guess.I'm sure he's not a bad guy...I think he's romantic...spiritual...dreamy... You know what they're writing about... Love, Helene De Munter, Belgium

Van Morrison is one of those artists that has become part of the human experience due to his signature songs, namely "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Domino." These tracks have been repeatedly played in their original versions and covered thousands of times, yet the listening public never seems to get enough (which is a testament to how good a songwriter Morrison is). Van got his first visible start with the band Them (and their hit "Gloria"), but he made is primary mark as a solo artist (obviously), taking full advantage of his blue-eyed soul vocal stylings and his interest in jazz, Celtic folk, and mysticism. Clearly Morrison made his mark with his earliest releases as he quickly became inconsistent as the 1970's progressed, but he made such a mark that he remains influential (and eccentric) on past and contemporary musicians, still remaining in high demand as a collaborator. Nevertheless, as with any prolific artist, approaching Morrison is a daunting task which leaves casual fans scratching their heads over where to start. Fortunately there is a great compilation available, "The Best of Van Morrison" (1990) which not only includes all the essentials, but some of the best deep cuts and harder to find tracks (eg "Wonderful Remark," "Cleaning Windows," and "Queen of the Slipstream"). This collection doesn't include "Caravan" or "Into The Mystic," but this is easily remedied by supplementing with "Moondance" (1970).

I understand that in real life he's a colossal grump who can't seem to get along with anybody, but there's a rule that geniuses can behave pretty much however they wish. And he is definitely a genius, in ways that put other musical geniuses to shame. This white Irish thug from Belfast with a voice straight out of motown is one of the captivating performers of all time. His roots were in the blues, but he could adapt to many different musical styles. Astral Weeks was essentially a jazz album with some of the most gorgeous vocals ever recorded, Moondance was perfect Buffalo Springfield-style folk rock, and Hymns to the Silence is pretty much indescribable except that the songs are aptly referred to as hymns. Van Morrison is kind of like the Picasso of modern music. He takes any style and masters it immediately, then gets bored and moves on to something else. Both men were simply compelled to produce their respective arts, and simply could imagine themselves doing anything else. Even Laura Bush likes Van Morrison, and I imagine her taste in everything else to be tacky and terrible.

"Brown Eyed Girl" is one of the greatest songs ever made.

Gets the 5-Star rating for his magnificent early work (through the early 70s), but he should've quit a long time ago because he's starting to become a caricature of himself. Still, thanks for all the great memories and music, George Ivan.

Van Morrison's catalog is strong. I most enjoy "No Guru, No Method, No Teacher" and "Poetic Champions Compose." No, you won't find "Brown-Eyed Girl" or "Domino" on either of these excellent albums. You will find well-written, tightly recorded songs with something to say. Morrison is very spiritual and it shows in his lyrics. If you're looking for a bridge from rock to jazz, consider Van Morrison strongly. Finally, I see about half of those rating him gave him only a 1. I doubt any of them are familiar with his work and it is their loss.

He is a good singer/songwriter. His album Astral Weeks is good. Brown Eyed Girl is really one of the most popular songs around.

"Domino" is one of my favourite songs ever- an R&B classic that packs a hell of a punch. "Astral Weeks" is a good album, and Van seems to be a pretty creative guy. "Brown-Eyed Girl," "Crazy Love" and his version of "Gloria" (with Them) are other great songs. His roots run deep in jazz, soul and folk, and he's quite a performer. I'm not always in the mood for his voice, however, and from what I've heard, not all of his discography is strong.

Not to be cliched, but I really love "Brown Eyed Girl". It's so popular because it's so classically a good song. I'm not really familiar with a lot of his stuff, but what I know, I like.

I admire Van Morrison immensely and have collected a large number of his recordings. He is a legend stretching back to the 60s and his group THEM, which produced the rock masterpiece "Gloria." One of the best things about him is his ability, in fact his need, to stretch and explore his impulses and influences. This has produced some really great cd's in the past few years that evoke his love of jazz, pop standards, skiffle and old-time rock, and even country-western. He is a great collaborator when it comes to musicians he admires such as John Lee Hooker, Linda Gail Lewis, Lonnie Donnegan, the Chieftans and many others. He can be lively ("Moondance" and "Wild Night"), romantic ("Tupelo Honey"), funny, mystical and more. My favorite cd is a lesser known 80s title, "No Guru, No Method, No Teacher." It's beautiful magic and goes deep into heart and mind. There are always redeeming qualities in any of his recordings and most are treasures from beginning to end. Van Morrison himself is one of music's most valuable treasures.

Simply the best.

While his Seventies albums are Masterpieces, Every album he has put out since Avalon Sunset in 88 has been a winner! From Too Long in Exile to Hymns to the Silence to Back on Top, he has continued to churn out records even though he barely gets any radio play! LONG LIVE VAN THE MAN!!!

the "moondance" record will always reming me of when my husband would put it on in the morning before he went to work, as i lay in bed snoozing. totally romantic!

A classic folk-rock singer...love his music!

There's only a few things to say: Well its a marvelous night for a moondance...

I like the song "Moondance" but I think his best work is that double live album "A Night in San Francisco" I grew up on that album!

Astral Weeks(1967) is, in my opinion, the greatest album ever made. Van has been prolific. Some releases have obviously been better than others. But, all triviality aside, Van has been fearless in his creativity. Our radios are better for his efforts.

Ok is ok

I disagree that the rest of his catalogue is spotty. Astral Weeks is a great album, but its certainly not the only one. Listen to Saint Dominic's Preview, Moondance, Tupelo Honey, the Healing Game... The list goes on and on.

Van Morrison makes the most thoughtful,spiritual, and romantic music ever. The best love making music ever!

Astral Weeks is one of those special albums unlike anything else you'll ever hear. Much of the rest of his catalog is pretty spotty though.

Van is Legendary. I love his music.

EXCELLENT!!! I am listening to Crazy love right now. You can't help groovin' to the tunes and singing along. How can anyone not love them?