Van Morrison is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose career began in the 1960s and has spanned several decades. Originating in Belfast, he is associated with rock, rhythm and blues, folk, jazz, and soul influences, and is noted for blending these styles into a distinctive, often improvisational approach. His work is characterized by expressive, raspy vocals, poetic and mystical lyrical themes, and an emphasis on mood and atmosphere rather than conventional pop structures. Over a long period of activity he has recorded both original compositions and interpretations of standards, moving between more song-oriented albums and extended, jazz-inflected performances.