 Turner describes Van Morrison 's early life as George Ivan Morrison on <unk> Street in Belfast . " I 'm definitely Irish " , Van Morrison is quoted as stating in the book . He asserts that Van Morrison was affected by his mother 's religious conversion to the <unk> 's Witnesses when he was a child . Turner states that this experience contributed to his position as an <unk> : " Who else in Belfast had a father who played Jelly Roll Morton records , and a mother who indulged in <unk> <unk> ? " Turner discusses Van Morrison 's musical colleagues , his successes , the break @-@ ups of his various bands , and his efforts to seek out creative expression . The author includes commentary and images from Van Morrison 's first release with the band Them in 1964 , through to his latest album at the time of the book 's publication . 
