Van Morrison's Moondance - Jazz to Pop World

I just heard Van Morrison's exquisite Moondance again and this time, as a bass player, I especially savored the walking bass part. It sounds like it's played on an electric guitar bass, but the sound is definitely upright--like a jazz combo would do. He hits four beats to the measure--each quarter note moving the song along--bum bum bum bum.

From Belfast, Northern Ireland, Morrison, now 66, started his solo career with Brown Eyed Girl, in 1967, but he was heard earlier in Gloria, as lead singer with the group Them. Moondance--as an album--established him as a major artist. We can enjoy Domino too, or Blue Money, Into the Mystic, and on and on.

Morrision has won six Grammys and is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And he's still touring!