I first heard of Moondance in 1999 when I joined UTV (yes, when I was 22). It was an interesting incident. My boss, Sanjay was showing me around the office. We passed a certain cabin. It looked nice and bright (like most of UTV then). I peered in and saw a fucking huge poster of Led Zepp. (Something told me that the place would be ok then). Finally he brought me to the 'guys'... The A&S team I would be part of. I met Jai, Mangesh, Abhijeet and Bella. (I would meet Samir later in the day)
Of all the people I met in 1999 (in that life changing year I went to Bombay), Jai stands out as a mini-classic. He asked me about myself - education, hobbies etc etc... Then I said something about the Led Zepp poster in the cabin nearby (which belonged to Deepak Rego, BTW). I should have seen his ears go my way... but I was too caught up picturing the poster. So like I do till this day, I asked Jai what music he listened to. He went on a rampage with a few desi names that I refuse to remember - but I knew that they were the '99 equivalent of Himesh Reshmiyah. Then he asked me about my music likes etc - and I went on: I remember starting with Marvin Gaye. And went through the entire soul and R&B index before I mentioned my American rock Gods and a few Brit giants.
He heard me out, intently. And then said: Do you like Velvet Underground? And what about Van Morrison? Huh? No Van Morrison? ok pal. I'll give you this tape tomorrow. Here it out. You MAY like it.
Mooondance has since been and will probably remain as one of my all time favourite albums...
Soulful, Swingy, Sad, Haunting, Ecstasy, Revelation, Thrill, Provoking, ... just a few emotions I feel when I listen to this album. But most importantly, when I listen to this album and parts of Astral Weeks, I know exactly where Springsteen got his musical inspiration from. I tried to trace Bruce's musical roots for years... but there was no doubt in my mind that Van Morrison played a huge part in Bruce's musical direction and arrangement. (I was later vindicated when I watched an interview on the Born to Run 30th Anniversary special documentary 'Wings for Wheels' where Little Steven and Bruce talk about their Van Morrison influence. Sometimes your ears can do wonders.)
The track listing of Moondance:
And It Stoned Me (rain, fishing rod, jelly roll, truck driver with bottles - awesome)
Moondance (maybe the ultimate straight-forward I-wanna-make-love-to-you-tonight song)
Crazy Love (great love song, very drunk on love)
Caravan (Great horn works - the roots of Tenth Avenue Freeze-out??)
Into The Mystic (same as above, but haunting)
Come Running
These Dreams Of You (swing baby swing)
Brand New Day
Everyone
Glad Tidings
I rediscovered this classic album a year ago in Sinagpore when I found the album along with 'Astral Weeks' and 'Street Choir'. Bought it immediately. And in the past 3 weeks in my new apartment, this album has kept me company every night.
Thanks Jai.
