Born and raised in Belfast, Van Morrison's life-long love for American R&B and his love for the magic of radio shines through. Today is his 72nd birthday. Raise a glass to a true visionary!
* Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison [7/67; #10 Billboard, #110 in the RS 500 - requested by a listener in Vancouver]
Real Real Gone - Van Morrison [from 1990's "Enlightenment" LP, a roll-call of some of his greatest influences, including Sam Cooke, Wilson Pickett, James Brown and Solomon Burke]
* Bring It On Home - Van Morrison [speaking of Sam Cooke, this cover is from Van's brand new album "Rolling With the Punches."]
Wild Night - John Mellencamp & Me'Shell Ndgeocello [5/94; #3 - Van released it as a single in 1971, but this version was a bona fide hit!]
Brown Eyed Girl - El Chicano [6/72; #45 - a tatsy re-imagining of a classic tune with a Chicano twist]
And It Stoned Me - Van Morrison [1970 - the opening track from his "Moondance" LP]
St. Dominic's Preview - Van Morrison [the title track from his 1972 LP]
* Caravan - Van Morrison & Co. [1976 - live version from the Band's "Last Waltz" concert. One of the greatest live performances ever!]
Gloria - Them [5/65; #93- before there was "Van Morrison," there was...Them. Rolling Stone ranks this at #211 in its RS500]
Brown Eyed Girl - Isley Bros. [1974 - DJ's mistake - not related to the Van Morrison song. Let's call it "a tasty interlude."]
Moondance - Van Morrison [the title track from his 1970 LP. It would be released as a single in 1977 and reach #92. #213 RS500]
