Moondance - Van Morrison

Advantages: It's bloody good
Disadvantages: It's not trendy

Moondance - Van Morrison (1970) Every now and then, I get the need to dig out a long lost CD and listen to something that, despite it's greatness, has been collecting dust for years. Ironically, this Van Morrison offering predates the CD by nearly two decades, but has stood the test of time and greatness. Instrumentally, the album relies on just about every type of saxophone there is, flutes, keyboards, guitars, drums to produce a mellow but strangely ...
...this isn't the highlight of Moondance by any stretch of the imagination! If you ever feel low, "Brand New Day" can capture your mood and lift you to a plateau from which to rebuild. It is a truly inspiring lyric drawing on the inner strength we all have when things are against us and the gospel backing really makes this a cracker. The almost medieval start to "Everyone" gives way to a more typical, if forgettable sound before the more arousing finale ... Read review

Advantages: Perfect
Disadvantages: NOne

Astral Weeks was described by one reviewer as one of the top ten rock albums of all time. He then wrote that this was better. It was and still is a fair comment. Moondance's songs are more defined and less related than the albums predessor, "Astral Weeks". Unfortunately the title track has been hijacked by every MOR singer who thinks that they can sing Jazz. Still all the songs are perfect, from the opening "And it Stoned Me" to "Glad Tidings" ... Read review

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...Astral Weeks' yin, the brilliant Moondance is every bit as much a classic as its predecessor; Morrison's first commercially successful solo effort, it retains the previous album's deeply spiritual thrust but transcends its bleak, cathartic intensity to instead explore themes of renewal and redemption. Light, soulful and jazzy, Moondance opens with the sweetly nostalgic "And It Stoned Me," athe song's pastoral imagery establishing the dominant lyrical ...
...in natural wonder, whether it's the nocturnal magic celebrated by the title cut or the unlimited promise offered in "Brand New Day." At the heart of the record is "Caravan," an incantatory ode to the power of radio; equally stirring is the majestic "Into the Mystic," a song of such elemental beauty and grace as to stand as arguably the quintessential Morrison moment. ... Read review

Advantages: Van Morrison at his peak
Disadvantages: none

Van Morrisson's 3rd solo album showing a complete change of direction from the pastorial Astral Weeks with the romaticism welded to a hard soul edge and jazzy interludes. Everyone should know the title track but all tracks are equally good with "crazy love" and "into the mystic" my personnel favourites all of which are equally suitable for dancing or listening to. Everyone should own at least one Van Morrison album and barring greatest hits compilations ... Read review

Advantages: Great Singing
Disadvantages: Rubbish cover

This is a unmistakenbly legend of an album and it goes without saying by a legendery figurehead of music. The obvious song which first snaches your eyes is the remarkable "Moondance". It needs no influences and it needs no introdction. This is Van Morrisson at his very best. The album itself if you are deprived enough not to have listened to it consists of 10 astounding songs. Light, soulful and lively it begins with a great song in "And It Stoned ...
...and again in "Moondance" he has furthered this point. It is soft rock, folk, pop, soul and jazz all bundelled into one brilliant unmissable album. I can't imagine it costs particulary much and it should be available at any music shop(at least any with much sense)! A must. Just ignore the cover. ... Read review