For me, it's "Cleaning Windows".
(working in a machine shop days, playing bass on the weekends...)

Darn good stuff.

Lately, for me, with the unruly middle child getting ready to have her day in court, and me wondering: Is she going to Juvy or will it be boot camp? Perhaps it will only be house arrest. At any rate, "Shadow of Doubt" is the all-encompassing theme of my life these days. Bonnie Raitt, accompanied by her slide guitar, and rhythmic foot stomp and harmonica player do this song great justice.

Shadow Of Doubt

Just another homesick child
Tired of running wild
Ready to stand trial and move on
Though I'm guilty in your sight
Have some mercy tonight
I can't make it through the fight alone

Oh but lord, no don't make it easy
Keep me working till I work it on out
Just please shine enought light on me
Til I'm free from this shadow of doubt
Keep me out of the Shadow of Doubt
As I try to make some sense
Of this world I'm up against
Well I know my best defense is your love
When the struggle gets insane
And the lesson's full of pain
Keep me calling out your name with Love

Oh but lord, no don't make it easy
Keep me workin' till I work it on out
Just please won't you shine
Enough light on me
Til I'm free from this shadow of Doubt

Well I whisper in the dark
From the bottom of my heart
And I'm searchin for one star to shine
I will shout from mountain high
And I'll reach into the sky
Til you open up my eyes so blind

Oh but lord no, Don't make it easy
Keep me workin' til I work it on out
Just please, please shine enough light on me
'Til I'm free from this shadow of doubt
Keep me out of the Shadow...

For Van-o-philes out there, his entire back catalogue is being remastered and released with bonus material beginning in January '08. Also of interest is an excellent, career-spanning 3 CD compilation that isn't available domestically, but can be gotten through Amazon UK for under $30, including shipping (like the American release it's also called "Still on Top").

Yes, both Dylan and Morrison seemed to come out the chute artistically fully formed. When all is said and done, they are easily the greatest artists of the rock era. However, from a purely musical standpoint, some of the instant live concert CDs of the revitalized Allman Brothers Band have to be heard to be believed. Their two guitarists, Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks, are from another planet.

Another one you might enjoy: Why Van Should be Taught in Our Schools

Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic

I always thought TB Sheets was a sort of one-off inspiration of Van Morrison's, but in fact, it's part of a long blues tradition. A wonderful Ottawa-area DJ named Brian Murphy, who used to do a roots show at a local rock station back when we still had such things, once played a whole series of TB-sheets songs, ending in Morrison's. Who knew?

However, the path of the righteous is as the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.

Like walking a jungle trail in the pre-dawn light, straining ones eyes to tears, looking for sure footing, and then there, a leaf, a rock a tree. All the things that brushed up against us in the dark of our unknowing are revealed to be solid, abiding and real. And yet we must press forward around that next bend, where everything is still unknown.

I appreciate the "second sight" of Van Morrison's journey, and his return to the Mystic.

Van Morrison is a treat to all the human senses. His music not only is a pleasure to listen to, but his music is a sensual experience to the mind and soul.

When the night returns just like a friend
When the evening comes to set me free
When the quiet hours that wait beyond the day
Make peaceful sounds in me

Took a drag from my last cigarette
Took a drink from a glass of old wine
Closed my eyes and I could make it real
And feel it one more time

Can you hear it, babe
Can you hear it, babe
From another time
From another place
Do you remember it, babe

And the radio played like a carnival tune
As we lay in our bed in the other room
When we gave it away for the sake of a dream
In a penny arcade, if you know what I mean
If you know what I mean, baby

And here's to the song we used to sing
And here's to the times we used to know
Its hard to hold them in our arms again
But hard to let them go

Do you hear it, babe
Do you hear it, babe
It was another time
It was another place
Do you remember it, babe

And the radio played like a carnival tune
As we lay in our bed in the other room
When we gave it away for the sake of a dream
In a penny arcade, if you know what I mean
If you know what I mean

If you know what I mean
If you know what I mean
If you know what I mean
If you know what I mean, baby
If you know what I mean

Dylan and Morrison belong at the top of the list, but even better, IMHO, is the best lyricist (poet) of my generation, Neil Diamond.

What a beautiful noise
Comin up from the street
Got a beautiful sound
Its got a beautiful beat

Its a beautiful noise
Goin on everywhere
Like the clickety-clack
Of a train on a track
Its got a rhythm to spare

Its a beautiful noise
And it's sound that I love
And it fit me as well
As a hand in a glove
Yes it does, yes it does

What a beautiful noise
Comin' up from the park
It's the song of the kids
And it plays until dark

It's the song of the cars
On their furious flights
But there's even romance
In the way that they dance
To beat of the lights

Its a beautiful noise
And it's a sound that I love
And it makes me feel good
Like a hand in a glove
Yes it does, yes it does
What a beautiful noise

Its a beautiful noise
Made of joy and of strife
Like a symphony played
By a passing parade
Its the music of life

What a beautiful noise
Comin' up to my room
And its beggin' for me
Just to give it a tune

Aaaah the memories music evokes.

What no music ?

Are ya'll Comfortably Numb ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CirSD6p1uFs

Well we certainly agree about this.

One of the very greatest of them all. I'm listening to Emerald Dreams (Live in Germany 1998) which includes an absolutely stunning 18 minute medley of See Me Through/Burning Ground/Soldier of Fortune.

http://www.amazon.com/Emerald-Dreams-Germany-Van-Morrison/dp/B0017WH0YO

Out of print but well worth finding. As are a range of live and, shall we say, unauthorized recordings. Montreux 1980 is particularly fine as is a set from Essen dated 1982. And the Roxy in LA 1978. It's amazing how great the live performances are. A real musician.

In an era of profound musical decadence, bordering on anarchy, one occasionally speculates on the durability of any commercial music produced since 1963 The only two musicians who have the power truly to - excuse the paraphrase of Harold Bloom - reinterpret the human are Bob Dylan and Van Morrison. To put it another way, which late 20th century popular musical artist will Captain Kirk be listening to on the deck of the Enterprise? It certainly will not be the Beatles or Michael Jackson. Who else but those two?

You said it true, Gerard. The man's music is a wonder.

I'd like to ask Arthurstone: Who wrote 'Soldier of Fortune' on Van Morrison's A Night in San Francisco? Or what studio album is it from? I love the medley with See Me Through-Soldier of Fortune-Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf. I see Arthurstone's CD has SOF in a different medley. Would love to hear it, since that link to Amazon has it as unavailable.

Thanks.