Celtic Jazz
This jazzy song, written by Van Morrison, was released as the title track to his 1970 album titled Moondance. He did not release it as a single, though, until 1977, with “Cold Wind in August” on the B-Side. On the track for “Moondance” were Van Morrison (vocals, guitar), John Klingberg (bass guitar), Jeff Labes (piano), Gary Mallaber (drums), John Platania (guitar), Jack Schroer) alto sax), and Collin Tilton (tenor sax, flute).
“Moondance” began as a jazz saxophone instrumental, and Van Morrison played the original sax solo when he wrote it. He was kind of obsessed with it and would play it any time he picked up his instrument. Jeff Labes says that when they recorded “Moondance,” they did it many times and ended up returning to the first take. Then Van Morrison would sing live along with the track, because Frank Sinatra used to do that. And, hey, you can’t argue with that witchcraft.
Van Morrison was born George Ivan Morrison in Bloomfield, Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1945. He was knighted in 2016, and is now Sir George Ivan Morrison. He continues to tour and perform.
