Van Morrison did his “Celtic Troubador” act for years with a lot of success. If you’re not familiar with his live performances (which are much more exciting than his studio work) I always recommend his “Grand Opera House” performance in Belfast, March 1983.

He weaves a sense of mystic religiosity through a lot of his work and engages the mind and the imagination. His R&B treatments are surprising, and very memorable.

Here’s “Carrickfergus” from a 1988 appearance with The Chieftains. For our friend Mark From Ireland.

“My childhood days bring back sad reflections
Of happy days so long ago.”