what makes the irish heart beat...

i still remember the day i found out van morrison isn't black.

pretty much all my memories of him consist of riding in the car in the middle of the night through southern utah to get to las vegas or orderville.  i was never good at sleeping in cars, or anywhere besides my own bed for that matter,  so i'd usually be the only other person awake besides my mom.  she would listen to either van morrison or gladys knight and i would look out the car window at the moon and star scattered night sky.  i remember in the bush off to the side of the road i'd look for the beady reflections of deer eyes, and dead rodents in the median.  mmm, those were the simpler days.

i think i just always assumed he was black because the majority of my mom's favorite singers are, plus add to that his rich tone, amazing improv skills, gorgeous interpretation of this, my favorite jazz song,...

i don't remember how exactly it came up...but i think the conversation went something like this...
"i love van morrison's voice.  i just find it kind of ironic and funny that a black guy is singing irish jigs."
"kelli, van morrison is white."
"what?!?"

i mean, i guess it's cool. i don't really have anything against white guys...

peace+love