Van Morrison moon dance - ever REALLY listened to it ?

[Wonky2]

Doing a studio session tomorrow for a guy I've played for a few times...

Got me thinking to a tune we had played for a bit f fun last time we were together, vans moon dance.
I thought I'd give it a spin just now for old time sake....
I've never really listened to it intently, more a case of its just a tune I know and have heard a lot .

When it begins the bass drops out awkwardly in the first verse, after that the timing is seriously questionable through out ???
Never noticed before, it's subtle but it's out.

Shame , it's a great melodic walking line and of course a great tune.



I've moved onto Gloria now and balance has been restored.

Edited July 29, 2016 by Wonky2

[JapanAxe]

There is a lot of *ahem* dislike for that song on this forum, particularly among those of a jazz persuasion, and especially for the bass line!

[BottomE]

You've let a very unpopular cat out of the bag who goes by the name of Moondance

Coincidentally, I have also got to do this tune on a gig in a weeks time. Managed to get away with not playing it over 30 odd years of gigging (started young) but they all get ya in the end.

[gary mac]

Glad I'm out gigging tonight and not hanging around to keep an eye on this thread. Will leave that to Bilbo, he loves a bit of Moondance

[ambient]

I had to play this on Wednesday, hated it . It was a request from a member of the audience.

[lowdown]

Oh Lordy, everything about that version is not so good (IMO).

Nate East and Michael McDonald did a good version.
The Horn arranging is excellent with some great harmony going on.
http://youtu.be/5qlkWsagY6I

[TheGreek]

I named my puppy "Shalla"....Shalla la, lala lalala, lala, lala lala, my brown eyed girl...

[Hobbayne]

I had to play it once. I used Paul Wolfe's guide.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvR_sdtcGPY

[Bilbo]

Moondance has one great quality.

It proves that you CAN fool some of the people all of the time.

[jazzyvee]

This version by Bobby McFerrin is my favourite of that song.
[url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd9p_KqVCQs"]https://www.youtube....h?v=Yd9p_KqVCQs[/url]

[grumpyguts]

Ok, so what's the problem with it? I have to play it for a regular dep job; hasn't done me any harm.

[Coilte]

[quote name='grumpyguts' timestamp='1469876744' post='3101670']
Ok, so what's the problem with it? I have to play it for a regular dep job; hasn't done me any harm.
[/quote]

I played it in a previous band ( and I too.. am unharmed !! ) in different venues, and it always went down well. This tells me that there is nothing wrong with it, as the punters are the "real" judges...not the purists.

[paul_5]

I've played it a few times and always got paid to do it; not got a problem with that.

[lowdown]

[quote name='jazzyvee' timestamp='1469861957' post='3101524']
This version by Bobby McFerrin is my favourite of that song.
[url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd9p_KqVCQs"]https://www.youtube....h?v=Yd9p_KqVCQs[/url]
[/quote]

I forgot about that, he also does a great version of 'Dance With Me' on the album.

[grumpyguts]

I don't have the knowledge to understand why I should dislike it.

[Lord Sausage]

MoonDance is the absolute pinnacle of Jazz! Nothing better has been written in that genre. It captures all the musical elements of Jazz but has the quality of that it is listenable and catchy!

[Mickeyboro]

Nah, Brown Eyed Girl is Van's Mustang Sally.

George Best once told me it was his fave song...

[rushbo]

I don't get the hatred...I think it's ok. I've played it a few times with big bands and small ensembles and always enjoyed it. I've listened to the original version and I don't find the bass part particularly offensive.

I guess it's one of those tunes that's only popular with the public...

[Bilbo]

[quote name='Lord Sausage' timestamp='1469882239' post='3101738']
MoonDance is the absolute pinnacle of Jazz! Nothing better has been written in that genre. It captures all the musical elements of Jazz but has the quality of that it is listenable and catchy!
[/quote]

Careful, Viscount Snorker. Your ignorance is showing. B-)

[Lord Sausage]

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1469894284' post='3101857']


Careful, Viscount Snorker. Your ignorance is showing. B-)
[/quote]
Next you'll be telling me that van Morrison isn't as important to jazz as Thelonius Monk or Dizzy Gillespie!

[Lord Sausage]

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1469894284' post='3101857']


Careful, Viscount Snorker. Your ignorance is showing. B-)
[/quote]
And if you are going to use one of my other titles I prefer Duke of Cumberland or Earl of Lincolnshire!

[Woodinblack]

We play it in our group, don't have a problem with it at all, you can go all over the place during the sax solo.

But then we also do mustang sally and brown eyed girl (except the latter one is the Reel Big Fish version). And i have never been happier in a group.

[Bilbo]

[quote name='Lord Sausage' timestamp='1469904705' post='3101945']

Next you'll be telling me that van Morrison isn't as important to jazz as Thelonius Monk or Dizzy Gillespie!
[/quote]

Van Morrison Isn't as important to Jazz as Peter Rabbit and Mrs Tiggie Winkle

[ivansc]

Cant stand VM but Moondance is really just a rawk bassist faffing about pretending to be a jazzer, innit?

I just play a walking bass line round the chords and leave it at that apart, from the little bits of "subtle" syncopation....
I always thought the record sounded like the band were warming up before recording proper started and Van started scatting over the top.
Lyrics are decidedly naff and his vocal phrasing gets really painful in places, but the punters usually like it.

[Lord Sausage]

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1469916842' post='3102042']
Van Morrison Isn't as important to Jazz as Peter Rabbit and Mrs Tiggie Winkle
[/quote]
I thought Mrs Tiggie Winkle's work on Bitches Brew was sublime!