When it comes to Van Morrison people usually struggle to determine which genre his music belongs to. Rock? Folk? R&B? Blues? Country?

The truth is that his music is rich enough to include bits of each direction and still be wonderfully combined into a single statement. His music goes straight to the listener’s heart and often opens up new "inner worlds" inside the audience, a state of trance. Therefore, maybe the most accurate definition of his genre is Soul.

In his early years he got his passion for music from his father and it said that Van was listening non-stop to artists like Ray Charles or Solomon Burke. Noticing the huge interest of his son, George Morrison bought him a guitar and later on even a saxophone. Already at the age of 12 young Van was playing with his band at school events.

Van had some struggle communicating with people. When his mother told him once that he must try talking to people and socialize a little bit he answered that it wasn't that he did not want to talk, but that words and music were constantly in his head and that's what he most paid attention to.

Maybe that is what makes Van Morrison's songs so different and so special. They come straight from his heart, without any superficial "ideas" any influences from the superficial outside world. If you have ever listened to "Stranded", one of his newest singles from the "Magic Time" album, you'll certainly notice how deep the ideas and philosophy of his lyrics go and how deep their touch your own soul.

When writing lyrics, that may be one of the crucial points, songwriters as well as artists must keep in mind. Listen to your inner voice, your feelings, your values and ideas and only then try to express them in words. Many make the mistake to elaborate a catchy rhyme and then sing something superficial that may last only a few minutes in peoples minds. Deep songs like most works of Van Morrison stay in your mind for a lifetime. They literally make music history.

I encourage you to see Van Morrison live as this is a truly unforgettable experience. His next (and may be last) concert in United States is in New York (Oct. 2007)