Oh my. Discovering and getting Van the man. Astral weeks is simply one of the greatest albums ever made. This title track, the glorious 'Cyprus Avenue,' the masterpiece that is 'Madame George,' the beautiful 'Sweet Thing,' the magical 'beside You' - this album is just timeless. Thanks for this.
The jazz musicians who worked on the record, amongst them the brilliant bassist Richard Davis (who recently passed away), the great Connie Kaye on drums and percussion hold everything together with their improvised responses to Van's acoustic strums and vocals. That is what raises the level of the performances on the album beyond anything else Van Morrison has done (though he made other excellent records, especially in the early '70s)..
I believe it was Kaye who asked what Van wanted them to play, and he said play what you want, just stay in time.” Imagine someone that young being so confident in himself and those playing with him to set no expectations except greatness.
Greetings to the basement C&C With Astral weeks you're walking in holy ground. Possibly one of the greatest albums ever made. The less said about it & the better. Simply enjoy and take it in...
I think this is one of the greatest albums ever recorded, but I think it is one where you have to play the whole thing through and lose yourself in the feeling and the mood. It's very much one for lying back and listening to in a darkened room. It's essentially what you get when a jazz combo improvises a backing to a live folk singer, with the orchestrations added later. Other than Van Morrison, the bass playing on the album is probably the highlight. If you listen you can hear a few little nuances that Bruce Springsteen picked up on for his first three albums.
Was fortunate enough to see him perform the entire Astral Weeks album at the Albert Hall (London) back in 2009. Great album from a great artist. In an amazing solo career stretching back to 1967 at last count he has released 45 studio albums and 7 live albums !
I’m glad you liked this! Happy to have recommended it. Two more Van songs I would recommend: Sweet Thing” from the same album, Astral Weeks. And if you both don’t happen to know “Into the Mystic” from the album, Moondance, I would highly recommend that as it is arguably Van’s masterpiece.
Don’t ask what the concept is, just accept this is a top,concert album. The recording process is a story in itself. For me an all time favorite and yes listen to the whole record.
The whole album is beautiful. Playing along with it is a great way to learn to play acoustic rhythm guitar too. He was I think 22 years old when he did this. The next song, “Beside You”, could be on Miles Davis’ ‘Kind Of Blue’, with his voice used as a horn and the lyrics for color and sound more than meaning. Really.
Great reaction! The whole album Astral Weeks is a trip. Pretty much the same musicians all the way through. Consistently great, other tunes that stand out on there Cypress Avenue, Madame George.
Astral Weeks is one of my top 10 Albums ,every note on the album seens perfect from the opening title track,culminating in the final track 'Slim Slo Slider' my favourite song on the record .
An interesting Van Morrison song for you to react to would be the seasonally appropriate ‘Snow in St Anselmo’, the opener to the album ‘Hardnose the Highway’. That song has a great vocal from Van Morrison, a choir and some heavy jazz flourishes. Everything but the kitchen sink, in fact and very atmospheric.
The lyrics are beautiful and mysterious -- I bet even Van has no idea what he's talking about. LOL The rest of the album is amazing, too. Try "Cypress Avenue" or "ballerina" -- these songs kept me alive back in Prague when life was hard.
Two songs to add to the Christmas list. Sherbet - You've Got The Gun nzoz1976 Australian Crawl - Santa Claus Is Back In Town (Audio + Video merge 2023)
Please consider reacting to Jeff Buckley’s version of the Van Morrison (Astral Weeks) song, The Way Young Lovers Do (Live at Sin-e). I’m not being hyperbolic when I call it the most incredible live solo performance of any song ever recorded.
Gorgeous. I have a comparison suggestion. Wicked game, Chris Isaac and Beth Roars. Both incredible . Also the song N'oubliez Jamais, between Joe Cocker and Isabelle Boulay. Another stunning song And while I'm at it, the song Something, between The Beatles and Joe Cocker
Brown Eyed Girl is a great song, but along with others like Bohemian Rhapsody and Stairway to Heaven, it's so over-played on the radio (in favour of much better songs by each artist) that I would honestly prefer to never hear any of them again. Nonetheless, Van the Man is a genius. Try Tupelo Honey, Caravan, Madame George, Cypress Avenue, Hardnose the Highway, Have I Told You Lately (you could compare Van and Rod) or about a zillion others. By the way, Astral Weeks (the whole album is great, always near the top of greatest ever album polls) was recorded about five years before Walk on the Wild Side. If there's an influence (I don't really hear it, to be honest) it's Van on Lou.
Van the man is a great artist, I suggest that you do a few from his '60s band, 'Them', two tracks in particular: "Baby, Please Don't Go" ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-FzZ9KoIv80Q.html and, "Gloria" ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gzWwAzLaO8Q.html There are other tracks by them (no pun intended) but these are a couple of my favourites, "Here Comes the Night" is another good one too.
I’m well aware of VM’s standing in the music world , but I just don’t get him , I’m not a fan of his vocal style and the minute I heard the flute I knew it was time to get my jacket as I wasn’t gonna enjoy this … it’s not pish , it’s just not for me . 👍🏴
