The Love Songs of Van the Man

Amongst the many hats that Van Morrison wear - some of which includes reclusive Celtic mystic, old-style R&B champion, skiffle revivalist and blue-eyed soulster - is one that is not as well-known, but still as noteworthy as the others. Casual fans of Van the Man might not know it, but he has this tendency to occasionally put out transcendent, expressive love songs that speaks volumes and volumes of emotion and pathos. Here's a brief sampling of Van the Man's love songs:

BESIDE YOU (1968)
Taken from the historic "Astral Weeks" album, this delicate paean to unrequited love revels in its random, freeform lyrical turns and ethereal instrumental structure. Arguably Van the Man's finest love song.

MOONDANCE (1970)
A jazzy, laid-back rumination that makes wonderful and evocative use of nocturnal imagery to create a musical wonderland for swinging lovers. Highly reminiscent of some of Sinatra's quieter moments.

CRAZY LOVE (1970)
An open-hearted devotional to a newfound love, "Crazy Love" is a subdued folk-soul number that is perhaps Morrison's most candid love song.

COME HERE MY LOVE (1974)
Introspective and almost hymn-like, this unadorned, acoustic-led tune resonates with hesitant hope and controlled emotional upheaval.

ANGELIOU (1979)
A stately yet joyous celebration that is almost a rewrite of that old chestnut "I Love Paris in the Springtime". The "Will you be my baby" ad-libs are perhaps Morrison's most fervour-filled vocal turns.

HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY (1989)
Undoubtedly Morrison's most accessible love song, this heartfelt, elegant number milks just the right amount of commercialism to make it a primary radio hit. Certainly a better proposition than Rod Stewart's clumsy remake of a few years later.