Love Me Some Don McLean and Van Morrsion - Sweetest Tenors in Rock

Music Wed! Listening to Jake Buggs last night - he's a British singer/songwriter who some are likening to Dylan, but I heard two other influences: The great tenors Don McLean and Van Morrison. By some cosmic coincidence, I read in USA today an intrvw where Jake cited Don McLean as an early influence. So, he might have failed to mention Van, but I will pay tribute to both here. In terms of temperament (DM was kind and quiet, while VM was rude and abrasive), music stylings (DM had early rock n roll and country as influences, while VM leaned to jazz and Welsh/Irish ballads), and productivity (DM was huge in the 70s and then quietly settled down, while VM has been raging and rocking for 40+ yrs), they couldn't be more different. But in terms of having sweet tenor vocals, great poetic instincts and lasting influence on generations of writers and performers, they r remarkably similar. So, let's get to the songs. For Don McLean, just soak in his greatest hits - "American Pie" http://youtu.be/tr-BYVeCv6U and "Vincent (Starry Night)" ( http://youtu.be/4wrNFDxCRzU). I suggest multiple listens of each. For Van Morrison, u can't go wrong with his classics "Brown Eyed Girl" http://youtu.be/kqXSBe-qMGo (hey Evi!) and "Moondance" (try to find a live version http://youtu.be/6oZg2B08uvM), but if u want a deeper cut, check out "Into the Mystic" (http://youtu.be/cpPSBzGEklE ) (which the Zac Brown Band kills on their live album -  http://youtu.be/1D6dgk8etew awesome cover of a great, cool song). Also, as a bonus, check out this ultimate version by the Allman Bros. Band - Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes and Gregg Allman absolutely slay it http://youtu.be/OOwBDlcasZ8 .  Enjoy!