Astral Weeks - Van Morrison

Advantages: Timeless classic.
Disadvantages: None.

...roots that he created with Astral Weeks still come out in the harmonies and mood of his present work, although of course, like with all good artists, his work has evolved into newness. One of the most impressive images that this album produces in my mind is how new and experimental the sixties were, and how artists were encouraged to be inventive, and not merely copiers of earlier styles. The sheer professionalism of this album doesn't date. Sumptuous ...
...the Artist. Track 1 Astral Weeks. (run time 7 minutes). The words and the challenging way in which the instrumentals compliment them in this track is up-tempo and innovative. The song fills me with an optimism that many newer artists fail to bring out in me, and I believe that the poetic perfection and rhythms of music and heart and soul are what draw me into the song. It is almost like a poets wildest thoughts being put in motion, and you feel ... Read review

Advantages: Every song a pearl, musically, lyrically and in performance and production
Disadvantages: Not for techno-lovers

Astral Weeks (1968) was Van the Man's first real album, and deserves its place in musical history for its accomplishment, innovation, fusion of styles, resonant storytelling lyrics and Van's unique, emotive voice. Though sometimes referred to as a 'rock' album, Astral Weeks contains none of the grinding guitars and pounding drumbeats one would expect from such a description. Instead the songs are rich in strings, horns and acoustic guitars, creating ...
...songs are equally beautiful and inspired, dealing with timeless themes of love, childhood, beauty, spirituality and, above all, feeling. Astral Weeks more than stands the test of time and paves the way for the emotiona;/spiritual themes and musical genres explored by Van Morrison in his long and diverse carreer. ... Read review

Advantages: What a voice! That's MOrrison's voice and the music just follow the voice
Disadvantages: To short.

Born in Belfast (Northern Ireland), Van Morrison was steeped in the sounds of American folk & blues from his youth. By age 11 he had mastered guitar, sax, and harmonica and began perfoprming with skiffle bands in local dance halls. In the swinging '60's he joined the Monarchs and toured U.S air bases in West Germany. Beginning to improve himself versus different public and american buddies. Then he returned to Belfast, he formed Them, one of the ...
...huge hits like "Don't Start Crying Now", "Baby Please Don't Go" and "Here Comes The Night" and the wonderful international hit "Gloria" so many times covered by main artists as The Doors, Patti Smith, U2 but according to me never as well as Van himself... After Them disbanded, Van Morrison rebegan a solo carreer. And one of the best album he recorded is "ASTRAL WEEK" less than 2 days after arrival in NYC. Only 8 songs but you can feel all the ... Read review

Advantages: Perfection
Disadvantages: None

This was once described as on of the top ten rock albums of all time. Unusual for an album that contains no electric instrumentation at all. The reviewer went on to say that Moondance, it's successor, was even better. I sort of agree , but then my top ten albums of all time will probably contain about a hundred discs. This was his debut album proper, after leaving Them. Every track on this album is absolutely brilliant. Yes its laid back, and ... Read review

Advantages: The best van album ever
Disadvantages: None.

As i have said before i am totally addicted to Van Morrison. The guy is a genious. This is vans first solo album Van released when he finally escaped the clutches of Bert Berns and the Bang label. I think that this album is special because it was the first album that Van could do his own thing on and really lose him self. They recorded each song as live rather than each musician individually so there is a real atmosphere to the album. In some songs ...
...but that really just adds to the whole magic of the album. And its all accoustic. The album is very spiritual, philosophical and poetic which i guess is typical Van the man, but this is the album where he does it best. Each song sweeps you into the next. Some sweeping faster than others, some making you want to hear them just once more before you allow the track to flow to the next one. When i put this album on i just feel like doing nothing, but ... Read review