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WCSX Classic Cuts : Caravan

WCSX Classic Cuts Van Morrison: “Caravan” The Hook: Cut live in the studio in just a few takes. Album: Moondance Year: 1970 Writer: Van Morrison Stats: Never released as a…

NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 14: Recording Artist Van Morrison performs during the 18th Annual Americana Music Festival & Conference at Ascend Amphitheater on September 14, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images

WCSX Classic Cuts

Van Morrison: "Caravan"

The Hook: Cut live in the studio in just a few takes.

Album: Moondance

Year: 1970

Writer: Van Morrison

Stats: Never released as a single, the song became a staple of progressive FM and Classic Rock radio. The Moondance album peaked at number-29 on the Billboard 200 album chart.

Background: Gary Mallaber -- who played on several of Van's recordings, as well as albums by Steve Miller, Eddie Money and Bruce Springsteen -- was the drummer on "Caravan." He recalls the sessions for the song.

Gary Mallaber, who played drums on Van Morrison’s Moondance album, on how they recorded “Caravan.” OC:…a performance. :20

“'Caravan' was cut live. And the drum beat and all the stuff that went along with it was pretty obvious. We did that in about 3 or 4 takes. Horns were going on live. Everything was happening at the same time, except the background parts had to be overdubbed. We did those later. But it was a performance. Everything on Moondance was a performance."