TV Themes #4, Statistics #14, and Van Morrison

Today's TV theme, at #4 in our list, belongs to a show that began to air in 1967 and run for 8 seasons. It was awarded 4 Golden Globes, 1 Emmy, 1 Poe Award  and received 30 nominations. It was a violent show and its hero was tough PI Joe Mannix (Mike Connors) and his ingenious secretary Peggy Fair (Gail Fisher). The show used the hero's name for its title: it was called Mannix.

Mike Connors (real name: Krekor Ohanian) was born in Fresno, California, in 1925 and is of Armenian heritage. He excelled in college basketball, where his nickname was "Touch", which he used as a screen-name (Touch Connors) in his early work. His first film part was opposite Joan Crawford, Jack Palance and Gloria Grahame. It was Sudden Fear (1952). He made a lot of films and appeared in numerous TV shows. Mannix, however, was the part that defined him.

Mannix featured a dynamic split-screen opening credits sequence set to theme music from noted Argentinian composer Lalo Schifrin. Unusual for a private detective series, the Mannix theme is in triple time, the same signature used for waltzes.

Mannix was a good TV show, but it is its theme (the music in combination with the visuals) that lives in my memory, rather than the show itself. Here it is:

Now, to this week's statistics: not many changes, as the visitors seem to have stabilized. I'm glad to say that I have my regulars. If only I knew more about you...

For this week, the US is once again the undisputed champ, leading Greece (at #2) by 4.5:1. Germany, in 3d place, is led by Greece 2.3:1. Russia is only 3 visits behind at #4, while France is 7 visits behind Russia at #5. The UK is 5 visits behind France at #6, while Portugal is 5 visits behind the UK at #7. Cyprus, 2 visits behind, is at #8, while a 1 visit behind Cyprus, we find Canada and Ukraine in a tie at #9. Also gracing us with their presence this week were Australia, India, Italy, Morocco, Poland, Spain and Sweden. Nice to have you all.

The all-time Top 10 also hasn't changed much, since all of its previous occupants are very active, with the exception of Ireland that has been inactive for weeks. The US at #1 is leading Greece (at #2) by 2.5:1. In turn, Greece is leading Germany (at #3) by 6:1. Germany is leading Russia (at #4) by 1.5:1. The UK at #5 is 15 visits behind Russia and Canada at #6 is 28 visits behind the UK, but has created a safe distance from Ireland at #7. France at #8 is closing in and may replace Ireland shortly, while Cyprus is still at #9 and Spain at #10.

Since last week's mini tribute to the Talking Heads seems to have gone down well with you, We'll have a similar one for another one of my favorite artists, Northern Irish ginger-haired, rarely-smiling, spiritually-inclined bard, Van Morrison.

Morrison was born in Belfast in 1945. He has received 6 Grammys, A Brit Life Achievement Award and has been inducted into both the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame as well as in the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. In 2016 he was knighted for his musical achievements and his services to tourism and charitable causes in Northern Ireland.

He began his career with the group Them (1964-66). With Them he had a number of great songs, including these three classics.

Here's Gloria, reminding me of Coppola's The Outsiders:

Here's Baby Please Don't Go, reminding me of Wild At Heart by David Lynch:

Here's the epic Here Comes The Night:

Van Morrison's first solo album came out in 1967 and contained another special song, Brown Eyed Girl:

It was his next two albums, Astral Weeks (1968) and Moondance (1970) that were his masterpieces. Astral Weeks is an introspective look at the singer's childhood memories and the spiritual experience that derives from them. An album of trance-like Folk Jazz set to "impressionistic, free-flowing" lyrics.

The title track gets you in the mood, perfectly:

Cyprus Avenue is one of the album's highlights:

... The other being Madame George:

His next album was the other side of the coin, extroverted and exuberant, it chronicles the singer's awe towards the wonder of nature. The song And It Stoned Me opened the album:

I just love, love, love the title track:

Another great song, Crazy Love:

Caravan is another milestone, an orgiastic tribute to gypsy life and the power of the radio:

Into the Mystic is a song closer in spirit to Astral weeks: a song of spiritual quest.

His following album, also in 1970, included Domino:

Wild Night is found in 1971's Tupelo Honey:

Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile) appeared in Saint Dominic's Preview (1972):

Warm Love is in 1973's Hard Nose the Highway:

Bright Side of the Road is found in 1979's Into the Music:

No Guru, No Method, No Teacher (1986) contains In the Garden:

Poetic Champions Compose (1987) is where Queen of the Slipstream is found:

His last album in the 80s Avalon Sunset (1989) contains this beautiful song, called Have I Told You Lately:

Enlightenment (1990) contains In the Days Before Rock 'N' Roll:

Van Morrison keeps making good records to this very day, having already made 40 solo studio and live albums, as well as the records with Them. That instantly recognizable, deep voice, that clear songwriting vision, that uncompromising work ethic: these are among the top gifts this man has offered us through the years. And the songs...