Ask Van Morrison

What has been the greatest effect on your music from the discovery of your Celtic roots?

I've seen you perform many times in Europe and the US. Why are your stage shows notorius for being uneven hit or miss affairs when your recordings are so pristine and perfect?

How have the things that inspire you to write songs changed over the years? Do you simply see the world differently when you get older?

I've always been drawn to your mysterious lyrics, which often touch upon mystical and religous thoughts. Where do you stand today in your faith?

Tell me about your experience with The Last Waltz.

I've heard that you and your mother had ties with jehovah's witnesses. They believe in life forever on a paradise, did that have any effect on your writing of sweet thing?

What's the most unusual and/or funniest experience you've had at a live gig?

When you performed with Bob Dylan did you find a different audience present or do you think Bob did?

What singer/s most influenced your style?
Who is your favorite musician and why?
What is your favorite album and why?
What is the role of the artist in society and does that describe what you have accomplished?
Are albums/cds still relevant?

What do you look for wher choosing musicians for your band?

Who was your favorite psychedelic band???

What are the writing process steps that you use to write a lyric?

You have worked with many famous musicians. Is there anyone left that you would like to do a project with?

People have been waiting a lifetime to here you performa Astral Weeks LIVE - why did you pick this moment to finally do it?

ALSO (i guess you guys can pick which question you want to give to HIM - i have SOOO many):

How difficult is it for you to find musicians today to keep up with your free form style of playing?

AND ( i can't help it, just one more please!)

So much of your writing and music on Astral weeks is about transcending - and looking at life through many different mirrors -and you do that through the poetry of you lyrics, where does that come from?

Do melodies come to you spontaneously or do you have to work them out on an instrument, and, if the latter, what instrument?

if it is 10:00AM in Sioux Falls what time is it in NY,NY,
Tokyo,Japan,London,England,Canberra,Australis,Cairo,Egypt,Lima,Peru?

I have told others that hearing Van Morrison singing "Into The Mystic" is as close as I will get to the feeling Moses had when he heard the voice of God. What was your inspiration for writing this beautiful song?

"When we I ever learn to live in God" is such a great song.
What was the motivation spark behind that song?

Was the notorious partying that took place backstage at The Last Waltz the norm during the 60's and 70's, or was that more of a, this is our last show and we have all of these incredibly talented musicians here, so let's go crazy type of event?

I just turned 25 a few months back - and got a sax for my birthday. Do you think it's too late to teach myself how to play it? If not - any tricks to convince the 'giver' that am putting the instrument to good use?

How has your Belfast background influenced your music?

Being famous is hard for many people but you seem to handle it well. What is your secret?

My all time favorite album is "Hard Nose the Highway" -- I have listened to it regularly since I got it as a teenager in 1974, and it is the one recording I would take with me if stranded on a desert island. ("Autumn Song" is my favorite song of all time; "Purple Heather" sends me; and I didn't understand "Snow in San Anselmo" until I moved to California in my 20s.)

My question to you is: Whose fiction writing are you very fond of? What have you read lately?

i m from brasilie i likes jazz i l lives americana sao paulo brasil i m italiane but i dont agree i m jail mr carlos lancelloti because i talk your fan

I was at the Hollywood Bowl for Astral Weeks and the evening was nothing short of transcendental. Are you planning on revisiting any of your other albums for a live experience? Sure hope so!