Astral Weeks

I was very impressed by this album. I know Van Morrison, of course, and know he is more than "Brown Eyed Girl," but I still have never listened to this album all the way through. The psychedelic and open, expansive nature is what surprised me the most, but I think it works and is beautiful and very smart, if not genius, especially for 1968. It doesn't fall off into some druggy trip but stays focused and feels composted with intent.

Every instrument used in this jazzy rock album. 6/5

'If I ventured in the slipstream / Between the viaducts of your dream.' I've heard that opening refrain n+1 times, and it always means the same thing, which is that, for me, there is no album that matters quite as much. It has no real genre, but I'd say in the realm of 'rock,' the only record that comes close is Marquee Moon, but I heard this first, and there it remains. I'd have to go to pre-60s music - Armstrong and Monk, Patsy Cline and Ray Charles - to find a sound as revelatory. The track I initially heard was 'Sweet Thing.' Then it was 'The Way Young Lovers Do,' the song that most resembles the style he'd go for on Moondance. From there, it was everything. I can't, in the end, analyze Astral Weeks. I can merely say that it's taught me to love.

Stunning and influential album by a very grumpy dude from Northern Ireland.

An all-time favourite

Special

One of the best ever

This album is one of my all time favorites as well as the artist. It’s a 10/10. It’s absolute poetry. Always a strong sense of longing and melancholy every single time I listen to this album.

I’m a big fan of this record. I appreciate the jazz freak folk soul mashup that really pushed the limits of soul music. It’s very organic music to me, and many props to his band on this record, especially the bassist, Richard Davis. A lot of great songs but the buildup in Madame George to the crescendo at 3:35 is probably my favorite part. His phrasing at the climax is just incredible, even if he’s a giant asshole.

5/5 - This music exists out of time and place for me. I first heard it in high school and have relistened now and then over the years. The whole sound of it is unlike anything else. Sweet Thing, Madame George, Astral Weeks are all great. I’m thankful this exists.

Great album

I don't particularly like most of Van Morrison's stuff, but this album is amazing. It picks you up and takes you away, then floats you through gauzy, melodic clouds and gently puts you back down again.

A favorite since before time began and until it ends.

Amazing

Поначалу мне не хватало перкуссии и ударных, но когда я решил послушать альбом второй раз я ощутил кайф и легкость музыки с лёгкой перкуссией в виде марокассов или вовсе ее отсутствия. Прекрасное сочетание гитары со смычковыми инструментами подчёркивает эту лёгкость. Голос вносит яркость в очень приятный инструментал. Мне очень напомнил Мика Джаггера

Nice. Havent heard this in a while. Peaches is a great opening track and Willie the Pimp a great second track. Captain Beefheart’s cocals suit thos so well. Son of Mr Green Genes has some cracking playing but the drums and bass are a stand out for me. So solid, really driving the songs, allowing Frank to float around on guitar, really play some interesting melodies and scales from regular rock to almost Egyptian sounding. The Gumbo Variations ia probbly my favorite track on this album. All credit to Frank for the compositions and arrangements but the back band on this album stand out for me without overpowering the main cast type of standout. That’s a solid skill. Lordy the violin on this track. So solid good. Looked ip thebnd. Bass player oneof the wrecking crew, srummer played woth Coltrane, etc. bass player dodnt know Frank, got a call to go to thw studio, 2 days recording and there’s Hot Rats. All of which is not to say Zappa is lagging here. Great grungy dirty aound on Willie, lovely clear tone on Camel. Probably one of the less avante garde albums by Frank and for me one of his best albums. If you’re looking for a jazz rock fusion album it would be hard to find better.

One of my favourite records

Love this album. It is the ambiance version of folk-rock. The lyrics aren't much, but the vocals are perfect with the music to relax and grant peace to the world. The lengthy ends also encourages meditation. Shanti. 5/5

Maybe the greatest album of all time. I couldn't argue strenuously against it.

Perfect

Absolute masterpiece. 5/ 5

Very good

721 albums in and ive not heard anything as beautiful as some of the music on this album. The title track draws you into the world Van Morrison has created just for you. The album ebbs and flows, there are moments of musical perfection, intertwined with randomness.

Van Morrison sounds like a wise old man telling stories that captivate. First time listening and I’m already in love.

This album is more than a breath of fresh air after all of the mediocre pop I've gotten from this same decade so far. I don't know why I'm all of a sudden getting some of the best music from the earlier decades of the list, but I'm completely fine with it if it means I get more music like this. It's like Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, but 30 years earlier and a lot more improvised. I wonder if there's a version that doesn't have all of the overdubbed instruments, since Morrison himself said he didn't want them in the album. My own hunt for it showed nothing, or else I would've done that version. As it stands, this is still an incredible album. He's a real wordsmith with some deeply touching storytelling and a very unique voice to support it. The really cool part of the album is that it's mostly improvised, obviously outside of the overdubbing.

Absolute masterpiece.

A great blend of folk, jazz and blues. Van's best record, and one of the best albums of the late 60s. I love the flow of the whole thing, the rich production, the soulful vocals. Fave track on this listen: Sweet Thing

Judging by the reviews...another marmite album. In my opinion this is as good today as when I first heard it 50 odd years ago. Have to separate the 'man' from the music.One of my all time favourite albums

Magical. From what I gather, he recorded these spare with just guitar and then the jazzy arrangements were dubbed in after by the producers and it was the best idea ever. If you only know him from the saccharine hits and the loutish clown he has recently become, get ready to fine out why Van was once the Man.

I can't help but love VM probably because of the time period and people I associate with his music. That aside, he is one of my favorite vocalists. Very much a soul singer, he sings just like he plays the saxophone with similar melodic lines and utilizing the full range of sounds his voice is capable of.

It’s van the man’s best album

All timer. Probably listened 1000+ times in my life. Masterpiece

Easy listening

I can't explain why, but this is tipsy on a few glasses of wine chatting with friends after dinner music

Kinda perfect. (I can see how much this must have inspired the Waterboys' Fisherman Blues, even beyond the obvious cover of Sweet Things.)

A love-it or hate-it album, for sure. I love it, but it took me a few listens to get to that point. And when people tell me they hate it, I don't rush to its defense like I would with others. This is also an instance of separating art from the artist since Van is a well-known bell end.

There’s a reason this is considered one of the best.

This album just blows my mind. It seems like it is all singer songwriter, and it is, but it is also invigorating with a production so good, so subtly brilliant, you don't even realise how much effort is put into every second of this album. Add to all of this a voice so tortured and so beautiful, what you end up with is a unforgettable album.

I remember hearing Van Morrison hates Brown Eyed Girl and now after hearing this album I understand why. Personal enjoyment: 5/5 Relevance to this list: 4/5

One of my all time favorite albums. This is one of my desert island albums. Never tire of it. Van Morrison had a a great of albums at this time, and this was is serenity

Fantastic album. I’ve come to appreciate it more as time passes. I’ll say it again, Van the Man.

I had no idea Van Morrison was an ar-tist. In my mind, this is the real him, and Moondance is the piece of shit it is because of meddling studio executives.

Tempted to knock it down because Van is an anti-vaxxer but this album is transcendental in myriad ways. Can’t say much more, it speaks for itself.

I think Van Morrison had the second greatest 4 album run of all time, after Stevie Wonder. But Stevie isn’t a POS now (right?!)

Wow

An incredible album where Van Morrison’s voice truly stands out as something wild and unique. His vocals are both intense and captivating, perfectly complementing the dreamy soundscape. I’m especially impressed by how the album blends so many musical genres, from folk and jazz to blues and classical, without ever feeling disjointed. On the contrary, it creates a deep, flowing, and spiritual whole. 5/5

Feels more like a concept album, doesn't have the big hits of Moondance but the songs are still great, blend of folk, jazz and blues, it feels loose and introspective, more raw. I can see why it's very influential

One of the Great mystical, mythical, magical albums. Celestial and kosmic. Only Moon Pix for me has come.even close to catching its evocative spirit.

God I love this album. Firmly entrenched in my top 10. It never was as accessible as say, Moondance was, and takes some patience to fully appreciate with its dreamy and psychedelic celtic backdrop, yet Mr Morrisson is still able to deliver some top tunes in his unique vocal way. There is so much going on here I never get bored of it. The upbeat drive and horn section of “the way young lovers do” is 100% my thing and comes perfectly juxtapositioned between the beauty of Cypress Avenue and the delicate, timeless storytelling of his masterpiece composition of Madame George. I love how the line “hey love, you forgot your glove” delivers such a simple, down to earth, yet poignant line within the context of the song. It’s one if my all-time faves! Brilliant, utterly brilliant. I will never tire of this album.

Great album

One of my absolute favorites. Awesome record.

Van Morrison’s movement from “Brown Eyed Girl” to a soundscape like this is what made the 60s so musically revolutionary. This album been called “folk jazz” or folk/blues/classical/jazz. In other words it defies easy categorization. It’s been called “stream of consciousness” at least in its lyrical presentation, and that seems true of the music as well. It just sounds like musicians finding their groove. You can drop the needle anywhere and have the same, immersive experience. Astral Weeks defies easy categorization. It’s really good. Before you die, you should hear it.

I fell in love with this album in college around 12 years ago, and every now and then it hits an ethereal spot in my soul that few records can match. There’s not much like it, from Morrison or anyone else.

And the love that loves to love that loves the love that loves the love that loves to love the love that loves to love the love that loves

It’s a shame he is such a grumpy little troll cos this was brilliant. Perfect little sunny afternoon listen

I’m at a 4.5 that I’ll bump up to a 5. I don’t think I quite fully caught the vibe of the album as intended, but I think I picked up on most of it – if this is as improvised as it’s all claimed to be, then the intention of this album feels like closing your eyes, trying to find the sort of mental imagery & setting of each track, and then letting Van Morrison’s voice & his stream of consciousness train of thought paint the broad strokes for your brain to fill in the story, enhanced by some fabulous instrumentation throughout. This is a masterclass of sound design, but not in the Nine Inch Nails sense, where the production is used as a harsher tool to express unstable emotions. It’s more so sound design in the classical orchestration sense, a la Beethoven or other composers of his time. I’m not foolish enough to say Van Morrison or his team are actually Beethoven or anything, but what makes classical music work well enough & feel sort of timeless is the intention of each track. This album thrives on trying to create an atmosphere, and letting Van Morrison guide you through that atmosphere. It succeeds more often than not, & while I might be hyping it up a bit much in terms of Van Morrison’s intention vs the actual outcome, I do think they sort of work hand-in-hand; this was designed to be as different from something like “Brown Eyed Girl” as possible, and it certainly is. It’s also different from anything on Moondance, which took a more measured & traditional approach. It’s a testament to Van Morrison’s fluidity as an artist, honestly. I really liked this. The thing is, for my brain, I think I only caught the general mood of the track on about 6 of the tracks – specifically, “Beside You” & “Ballerina” didn’t quite click the way that I think they could have, but that’s less of a fault of Van Morrison’s approach, and more so my inability to catch their vibe. When this album clicks, my goodness, does it click. Cyprus Avenue & Madame George in particular felt brilliantly produced, and the mood brought on by that soundscape felt ethereal for 1968. Those two tracks alone are worth the listen. I understand why this has a 3, because approaching this like a typical album will leave the mind with a lot of confusion – lots of repetition, weird broad lyrics, some instrumentation that’s nice to listen to but makes no sense… all things I might say if I treated this like Moondance. It’s an impossible feeling to describe once that zen state really truly clicks, but it’s something that I think is worth chasing on every track. Hence, the 4.5 bumped up to a 5.

The album cover really sets the tone here. You kind of just want to lilt in a field while listening to this and remind yourself who you are. Its song cycle style keeps you hypnotized throughout, pulling you to the surface only occasionally with tracks like “the way young lovers do”. It seems to tap into what’s ancient and mystical around us.

He might be a prize arsehole, but this is still a glorious album.

My first Van Morrison, and I think I'm at peace. At least I'm more at peace than I have been all week. The music, for one, has no right to sound this good for the '60s. The baroque arrangements are all so lush and detailed and constantly flourishing and shifting. Each song builds so subtly that before you even know it, you're entranced. It's the standout musical elements here, that subtle progressiveness. A perfect example of this is the song 'Madame George', which has a nine-minute length that just flies by, like a good night's sleep. And Morrison's voice is just filled with so much conviction, emotion, and sheer power. He's not afraid to get unconventional. At times, he'll randomly switch up a core melody and even get tangential with his ideas. And like the music, his voice just builds emotionally. On the lyrical front, it's an album that resists easy analysis after only one listen - but as it goes with folk music, it's filled to the brim with evocative imagery relating to nature, love, and intimacy. 'Beside You' might be my favorite as it seems to relate to the singer's child, but it's tough to pick just one. The writing is gorgeous; it feels like every minute, there's a line or two that steals your attention. I'm mesmerized and absolutely in love with this album. Super excited to see what else this guy has in store (after I bash myself in the head for not having listened to him sooner).

Day428 - it sounds like a live album and the lyrics are wonderful. it doesn’t have the hits of moondance but somehow it’s just as good

He seems like a jerk IRL and also I imagine listening to this would suck if you didn't like his voice. I enjoy this; it's sublime, abstract, and repetitive. The random jazz song in the middle keeps you from falling in too deep. I listened to this like four times today.

Amazing. Pretty abstract experience, forgot how good this is.

Man, what a perfect album. No hits; just one perfect song after another.

One of the all time great albums. Different from anything before or since. Influential to this very day. A vibe as the kids say. Elusive and highly listenable. A masterpiece of doing your own thing.

Also perfect

By all accounts, Van Morrison is a deeply unpleasant person and he sings (as a review I once read put it) like a man trying to attract your attention across a crowded pub. But music works in mysterious ways and this album is a thing of beauty.

5* Perfection

Amazin as always

An absolute ghoul today but this album is still incredible.

Why did Mateen have to tell me about Van Morrisons politics??? A perfect album.

Perfect album! Very nice songs and music. I lke it.

## In-Depth Review of *Astral Weeks* by Van Morrison Van Morrison's *Astral Weeks*, released in 1968, is often hailed as one of the greatest albums in music history. This review delves into its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, while also evaluating its pros and cons. ****Lyrics**** The lyrics of *Astral Weeks* are characterized by their *hallucinatory* quality, filled with vivid imagery and emotional depth. Morrison's writing reflects a deep sense of nostalgia and longing, often drawing on personal memories and experiences. The album opens with the title track, where Morrison sings about venturing into a dreamlike state: > "If I ventured in the slipstream, between the viaducts of your dream." This line encapsulates the album's exploration of memory and the subconscious. The lyrics are fragmented yet cohesive, creating a tapestry of emotions that resonate with listeners. For instance, in "Ballerina," Morrison captures a moment of intimacy with lines that convey both vulnerability and desire. His attention to detail—such as specifying the "light on the left side of your head"—adds a unique touch that elevates his storytelling. The recurring themes of love, loss, and existential reflection permeate the album. Songs like "Cypress Avenue" evoke a sense of place and time, while "Slim Slow Slider" confronts mortality with haunting sincerity. The lyrical content invites listeners to engage deeply with their own experiences, making it relatable across generations. ****Music**** Musically, *Astral Weeks* is a groundbreaking fusion of rock, jazz, folk, and classical elements. The arrangements are fluid and improvisational, featuring a diverse ensemble of talented musicians. Key contributors include bassist Richard Davis, flutist John Payne, and drummer Connie Kay. Their performances create an ethereal soundscape that complements Morrison's emotive vocals. The album's instrumentation is characterized by: - **Flute**: Adds a whimsical quality to tracks like "The Way Young Lovers Do." - **Strings**: Provide lush backgrounds that enhance the emotional weight of songs. - **Acoustic Guitar**: Grounds the music in folk traditions while allowing for jazz-inspired improvisation. The production by Lewis Merenstein plays a crucial role in shaping the album's sound. He opted for a live feel rather than heavily polished studio recordings, which allows the spontaneity of the performances to shine through. This decision contributes to the album's organic quality, making it feel like an intimate experience rather than a commercial product. ****Themes**** *Astral Weeks* explores several profound themes: - **Memory and Nostalgia**: The lyrics often reflect on past experiences and relationships, evoking a sense of longing for what once was. - **Transcendence**: Many songs grapple with spiritual themes and the search for meaning beyond earthly existence. - **Love**: The complexities of romantic relationships are portrayed with both tenderness and raw vulnerability. These themes resonate deeply with listeners, allowing them to connect personally with Morrison's reflections on life. ****Influence**** The influence of *Astral Weeks* extends far beyond its initial release. It has inspired countless artists across various genres, including folk, rock, jazz, and pop. Its innovative blend of styles paved the way for future musicians to experiment with genre boundaries. Critics have noted how the album’s emotional honesty has influenced singer-songwriters like Jeff Buckley and Norah Jones. Additionally, its lyrical depth has been compared to that of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, establishing Morrison as a peer among these iconic figures. The album continues to attract new audiences decades after its release. Its timeless quality speaks to universal human experiences—love, loss, and the quest for meaning—ensuring its place in musical canon. ## Pros and Cons ### Pros - **Innovative Sound**: The fusion of genres creates a unique listening experience. - **Emotional Depth**: The lyrics resonate on personal levels due to their introspective nature. - **Timeless Quality**: Continues to appeal to new generations of listeners. ### Cons - **Accessibility**: Some listeners may find the fragmented style challenging or less accessible compared to more straightforward songwriting. - **Production Choices**: The live feel may not appeal to those who prefer polished studio recordings. - **Pacing**: The album’s meditative quality might not suit all listening environments or moods. In conclusion, *Astral Weeks* stands as a monumental achievement in music history. Its intricate blend of lyrical depth and musical innovation continues to captivate audiences today. While it may not cater to every listener's taste due to its unique style and pacing, its influence and emotional resonance solidify its status as an enduring classic.

Very easy listening folk music

Van Morrison might be one of the artists where I prefer some of his lesser known tracks (to me) than his big hits. I really liked this album. Tim has played me another album of him that I loved too, 'Common One' google has informed me. Nice sunday vibes.

Amazing that someone so miserable can make something so magical. Blissful experience in the winter sun. Music is great.

So good

I've known this album for more than 40 years. Superb. 5/5.

amazing

I really like his music. Too bad he turned into a grumpy right wing asshole.

I always loved Van Morrison but overlooked this album, I liked the high energy songs especially some of his live recordings (It's Too Late To Stop Now and his songs on The Last Waltz are my favorites). The stripped down style of this album highlighted Van Morrison's creative and unique voice. His phrasing and rhythms while singing are one of my favorite things about him and they are front and center on this album. These songs show that it doesn't have to be loud and fast to have a lot of emotion and energy.

One finds it nearly impossible to fathom that this was a record made by a 23-year-old. Not the easiest-listening Van, but the deepest and most expansive. This is music at its most mystical and a high-water mark for the decade, or for all time. These are more like ragas + spoken word performances than songs or jazz improvisations. "Sweet Thing" is an all-tme song. Only criticism might be that it sprawls at times, but such indulgence is easily forgiven for all its other blandishments. And that Springsteen claimed that this record opened him up to the divine, the wide-open possiblites from even the simplest structures and that this is the record Greil Marcus says he's listened to most down the years speaks volumes. Don't sleep on the live version from Hollywood Bowl (available on YouTube) or the excellent 500 Songs podcast. And maybe Van is better served by not getting the full creative control he has long craved, given his later comments that he was unhappy with how the record landed (something about too many strings). That he followed this with Moondance is nearly as hard to fathom as the miracle of this work; again, Greil – AW "went out to the limits of what this form could do" and it's the inexplicability of so many great works that makes them great.

Van Morrisson rules

Incredible album. I don't have a problem separating the art from the artist so as much as Van Morrison sucks, this album is about as good as it gets. I could put this album on repeat all day every day.

I love this album so much. The freeforminess of it all and how Van’s wails dance around the beats like a leaf flapping in the wind. This album has been out for almost 60 years, yet no one has been able to replicate the magic on it unlike other pieces from its era. Madame George is firmly in my top 100 songs of all time. Just a beautiful album even if the guy who made it is an all time asshole nowadays

LOVE

All time fav

I don’t love it as much as Moondance but he’s a great songwriter and that magnificent voice! Sweet Thing on its own deserves a 5.

This is one of my all-time favorites. Listening to it is almost a spiritual experience, which is saying something since I am decidedly unspiritual. On paper, I should hate this. Most of the songs are maddeningly simple—extended repetitions of three chords with no choruses or bridges to break things up—and the lyrics are often obtuse. But the ecstasy is in the details. The performances are understated yet bold. One could just listen to the bassist and be perfectly captivated for 40 minutes. The strings never fail to thrill. And damn, but my boy can sing. I don't know if he ever stretched himself out like this again. This is a lightning-in-a-bottle kind of album. There is quite simply nothing else like it, and every time I hear it I marvel that humans are capable of such beauty. Too bad he's such a knob.

Classic

Incredible album from start to finish.

4.5

favourite song - ballerina favourite lyric - "we strolled through fields all wet with rain / and back along the lane again / there in the sunshine / in the sweet summertime / the way that young lovers do cover - 2/10 album overall - 5/5 wow

4.5 beautiful album

Just beautiful.

Better than Moondance. I'm realizing that I really like Van Morrison's music but I don't really like his voice outside of Into the Mystic. But that's not his fault. He's doing his best.

That voice is just peerless. There is something about Van Morrison that demands your attention. I am not sure how to describe it in terms of genre, but the album exudes soul. After listening, I was exhausted in the best sense of the word. Great album!

Was soll man sagen? Es dauerte eine Weile bis ich mich an seinem Gesang gewöhnte. Es beginnt sehr folkig, Flöten, akustische Gitarre. Aber je mehr man hört von Astral Weeks, umso mehr bin ich gefesselt von seinen Arrangements und Gesang. Noch einmal anhören. Jetzt bin ich begeistert

Astral Weeks Beside You Sweet Thing Cyprus Avenue The Way Young Lovers Do Madame George Ballerina

Genial!

I really dig Van Morrison. The passion! And for the most part it outweighs his voice. But jeepers, haha. There are moments here and there, and I feel bad saying this, but his voice just sounds ridiculous. Anyway, that's nothin. Dude's a top tier song writer and makes due with the vocal cards he was dealt. Love that he just goes for it anyway. Like Dylan. The songs on this album are beautiful. Often so so simple with no obvious or traditional structure. Most seem less like songs and more like freestyles, or just stream of conscious. We know he can make radio hits but these are just his raw spirit. Like opening a cosmic door into Van Morrison land. I listened to this one like 6 times today. Enjoyed it more each time. Thanks for sharing yourself with us, Van 🙂 ❤️ 🙏

An artist that I have always enjoyed but never picked up an album from. I should remedy that and then do a deep dive. Poetry and Beauty.

Beautiful album. Very lush instrumentation with some intricate playing scattered throughout as well. It's such an easy album to immerse yourself into and watch time fly by. Gets more beautiful with every listen.

This is like a piece of my heart. I’m not sure there’s another album that gives me the emotional response this does. Makes me feel so much. Can’t think of an album that makes me want to smile and cry at the same time. It’s nostaligic, it’s effortlessly beautiful! 5.0

5/5. This is purely ethereal and beautiful. Hard to describe exactly the feeling but each time I listen to it, I tear up with at least one song. This time it was Madame George. Van Morrison as a person, pretty bad, as a singer and songwriter, hard to beat. I wouldn't even say he has a great voice, but it is unique and he knows how to expertly control and manipulate it to create an otherworldly sound. It's not the most accessible but letting yourself go while listening is the best approach. Best Song: Cyprus Avenue, Madame George, Astral Weeks

A masterwork

Astral Weeks is a fantastic album. I had never listened to it start to finish. He sings with lots of emotion, it’s more intense than I expected. Maybe the best mix of acoustic folk, blues, jazz ever recorded. Astral is a fitting adjective. 9.1/10

"Astral Weeks" by Van Morrison is a timeless masterpiece that floats somewhere between folk, jazz, and soul. The classics like "Sweet Thing," "Astral Weeks," and my personal favorite, "Cyprus Avenue," are just out of this world. There’s a raw, unfiltered emotion in these tracks that feels like it’s speaking right to your soul. Although I absolutely adore the album, some of the songs do feel a tad long. They’re the kind of tracks that would blow your mind in a live setting, but on record, they can leave you a bit adrift. Despite that, there’s no denying the pedigree here. It’s got that desert island quality—Lester Bangs wasn't wrong about this one. It's almost perfect, a real gem that gets richer with every listen. Rate 4.5/5

All-time album. This is one of my favorite albums of all time. It's a perfected folk rock brilliantly infused with jazz-y and blues-y elements. Vocals are powerful and balanced with great, impressionistic and evocative lyrics. The songs come together in a sort of song cycle of spring (for me at least). This is a rainy day in May. *****

Perfect vibe

Big fat five for Van the Man! Just perfect from start to finish. I may have listened to this album more than any other, I’d love to see the stats on that. Sweet Thing is certainly in and around the top spot every year for most listened to song. Banger. Simpsons: No

Great record. Nice and mellow with the signature Morrison style and voice. Very cool.

Should’ve been credited to Morrison and Richard Davis, given the latter’s bass work made the album a true classic.

Always loved him but especially love how bluesy the early work is

I'm on a cracking run at the minute. Van the Man at his most ethereal, most beautiful, most weird and most listenable. Normally, if you're telling me a folk singer has got an album where each song averages eight minutes, I'm checking out, but these just drift by on an undercurrent of beautiful musicality. There's so much variety - sometimes you're in a French tavern, sometimes you're deep in a forest, sometimes it's just you and Van in a wood cabin (while he presumably tells you the perils of vaccines). Madame George is the highlight, but really, this is one of the peaks of music. It sums up an era, a genre and an artist perfectly. Love it.

Almost a perfect album.

This is a favorite of mine. I think it's truly beautiful. This album puts me in mind of sitting outside, watching a sunset, and thinking of the good times spent with a friend you recently lost. Or perhaps you are dying and thinking of the happy moments in your life. It makes me reflective in a way that is beautiful and sad. I'm not sure what higher praise I can give to a piece of music.

5.0 + One of those rare records (see also "There's A Riot Goin' On") that immediately slinks into an effortless groove, gently taking your hand and ushering you on a beautiful little journey.

Album # 43 Can't go wrong with Van Morrison

One of the best albums from the 20th Century

Being unfamiliar with Morrison's wider body of work this LP was incredibly refreshing - rather than a "sung vocal" his voice here acts more as an additional instrument which influences the overall tone and mood of each track. For 1968 the production quality is absolutely fantastic: strings and light percussion bounce cleanly and effortlessly off of the ear. Everything drips in baroque sorrow as well as carefree arabesque reflective of the time in which it was made. Soft on the ears, and a joy to listen to.

Loved it!

changed my life

I often call this the most underrated album of all time. It might be my favorite album of all time. I would give this 6 stars if I could. Too bad Van Morrison has turned into a total douche pickle.

If you listen to one album by Van Morrison, this should be that album. It is a breezy folk based album at its core that incorporates elements of jazz, Americana, and even some baroque instrumentation. The albums has a meandering feel that doesn’t feel lazy or noodly but allows the album to simmer and build. It is incredibly lush and layered and grows more complex the more closely you listen. The praise is well deserved.

Astral Weeks is Van Morrison's second solo album, after starting his musical career with the band "Them. It's a beautiful collection of his version of soulful folk songs. His distinct, rich voice is the defining element of his work, and his expressive sound gives life to his thoughtful, engaging lyrics. Add skilled, complex orchestration, and Morrison is able to create a memorable set of tracks. This album met with near-universal critical success, but didn't catch the attention necessary for commercial success. Regardless, Astral Weeks may be Van Morrison's masterpiece, and marked the beginning of his long, successful solo career.

One of my all time favorites

I really like this album!

One of the best albums of all time. A truly singular work of art.

Sounds like Van Morrison...of course. Outstanding album.

Even with some weird instruments, I found this really beautiful, especially Madame George.

Timeless

lovely

Musical dna. It’s an album that is that rare thing. A work of sonic art. I can’t just listen to it a song at a time, nor can I have it as background music. It’s an experience. Focussed, deep listening. It’s a religious experience. And to me like your best bottle of scotch. Brought out occasionally and savoured slowly and deeply. 15/5.

I was a Van fan going all the way back to Them. However his solo work after leaving Them in 1966, on the Bang label didn’t get much coverage in Australia. For example, his first single on Bang, Brown Eyed Girl (1967), a Top Ten hit in the U.S., was never released here. My copy of the first album he released on Bang, Blowin’ Your Mind (1967), is an Australian pressing on the World Record Club label, and pop/rock albums on that label had either stiffed badly on original release or had never been released here in the first place. Astral Weeks was the first album Van did for Warners, released late 1969. But I missed it, as I did the great follow-up album, Moondance. And, in fact, I didn’t hear Astral Weeks until 1973, while visiting a mate in Goulburn. When I returned home I bought that mother, &, as I thought, I’d never heard anything like it before. And that’s still true. Madame George was always the favourite. You are prepared to believe Morrison when he says the lyric was a stream-of-consciousness effort. It sure sounds like it. Morrison was always pissed off about the strings used on the album, but I notice that strings are there on the cd released in 2009 of Astral Weeks Live at The Hollywood Bowl (taken from 2008 concerts). I recommend it. His voice is still great. I won’t go on, except to mention how pleased I was when I bought a copy of Jeff Buckley’s EP Live at Sin-e in the late 90’s & heard his version of The Way Young Lovers Do. Astral Weeks is an extraordinarily great record. The flow is outstanding. Five big ones for me.

Van Morrison is a prick of biblical porportion... but this album is amazing

Fun tunes, nice singing, very upbeat

Top 5 of all time, nothing else like it

Iconic perfection. I’ve been going deep on Van’s later work (which is amazing) but this album still totally holds up.

This one has been in my listening library for a very long time. it is an excellent album!

Not what I'm used to from Van Morrison but it's raw and emotional and lovely.

Wow! This album is so dreamy. I sank into it’s flow and let it carry me away. Beautiful.

I'm a bit bias, as my wedding song is in here. Love this shit.

Really good. His stuff continues to blow me away.

Perfect for the morning, mellow and calming, sleepy-time music

My word, what a voice. I don't typically go for Morrison's style, but I can't deny the man can write a song. Madame George is just a wonderful piece of music, and any music fan should be familiar with it. Top tier songwriting from start to finish.

Had written stuff out, but got blown away with a single ctrl+r. Oh well. This album tickles my fancy in a very specific way. I'm all about it. Sweet Thing is the most recognizable song, and it is beautiful. Sounds like it wants to explode, but instead channels that energy into flourishes of strings and flute behind the high-hat and guitar strum. Rest of the album is beautiful. Really enjoy The Way Young Lovers Do and how it sort of feels out of place among the rest. 5 / 5.

This is one of those albums that I have always heard is a clear 10/10 but I just never listened to it. This album definitely lives up to its reputation. The storytelling on this album is fantastic and the vocals and instrumentation blend together to make a perfect album.

Heavenly sounds. The storytelling is so rich and his voice is perfect

Perfect Album

Since having the displeasure of seeing Van Morrison live a number of years ago, my opinion of the man himself has soured some. That said...this album is undeniable to me. It's beautiful. It sounds the way coming of age feels. It is so warm, so small yet powerful. Van Morrison himself be damned, this is getting my highest marks. I can see myself listening to this for years and years to come.

Astral Weeks is immortal; and will remain forever one of the finest records of all time. Morrison came of age here, he did it his way combining jazz, blues, folk, poetry alongside the Gaelic notes he had grown with. Listen to "The Way Young Lovers Do" where all of these parts combine into an album highlight, wow how it swings and gets the foot tapping and those fingers clicking. For some it won't resonate immediately, but if you give it time it will reward you and will become a life-long companion. Astral Weeks is like a fine whiskey, it takes time to appreciate it but if you persevere you will love it forever.

An absolutely mesmerizing experience. Full synesthesia.

Own on Vinyl

Albums like these make me feel inadequate as a reviewer. So much I want to say, but no idea how to say it. This album makes me feel everything there is to feel. It takes me everywhere from joy, to love, to despair. From all the van Morrison I’ve listened to, this seems to be his most ambitious project. Every song there seems to be a new sound that catches my interest, so much beautiful instrumentation and such a variety of instruments packed into eight songs. Every time I hear strings or a flute(?) I ascend. Morrison’s vocals are soulful as always. Great songwriting. The whole album has a mystique around it that i can’t quite describe. It gives me peace. It’s interesting how different this sound is from his other albums. Moondance has always been my favorite van Morrison album, but there’s no doubt it’s the more easily consumable of the two. The more times I listen to this, the smaller the gap becomes. To lay this “Ed Sheeran of the 60’s” SLANDER to rest: Morrison and Sheeran both sing and play the guitar. They both belong, at least somewhat to the singer/songwriter genre. That’s where the comparisons end. Ed Sheeran has made the most basic, mainstream radio pop of possibly anyone in the last decade. Astral weeks was and is considered one of the more original, ambitious, and influential albums of the 60’s. Certainly within the sphere of folk/rock. This music wasn’t made for radio plays. Despite its acclaim, it’s never been an overly popular album. I would venture to say that nothing in Sheeran’s and ENTIRE career been as ambitious or impressive as the composition of ANY single one of the tracks on this album. There was nothing that sounded like this at the time, and truthfully, there hasn’t been since. Best: Sweet thing, Cyprus avenue, astral weeks, madam George Albums haven’t been good for MMMs recently and this one is more of the same. There is nothing particularly catchy about this album, considering considering it’s lack of conventional verses/hooks. It’s almost like poetry put to music in some ways. But I digress: no MMM today.

I love this album so much, and I don’t really know why. It is definitely very authentic.

I have to give this a 5, because it was life-changing. It’s an album which the spirit of it, the underlying story, and the experience of listening to it is more impactful than any one song, other than the two which carry the album, “Astral Weeks” and “Madame George.” Yes, much is repetitive, much is jammed out, a bit same-y, the box of melodies that Van Morrison draws from is a bit limited. The album feels rough around the edges. But it’s more about the album’s free, conscious-less, yet urgent feeling.It's like the ultimate "id" album. It feels like pure gut, pure expression of something beyond the artist. The jazz/folk palette is just the setting, the context with which the album unfolds. What really astounds me about this album, after reading some history about it, is how little personal chemistry there was between the musicians and the artist, and how workaday the recording sessions sound for the session players. They took a couple days, walked in to Van Morrison's world, and came out with a masterpiece, all with such little report, little interaction between them. Just instincts, jamming, and improvisation. No talking, just music. Van Morrison thought the sessions were okay, the musicians were mildly pissed off. But they made some of the most emotional and free-wheeling pieces of music from this period, because the elements were in just the right place for it to happen. That's why this album is so amazing... it's a prototype. Many musicians say they're eternally indebted to this album, and I can understand why. It asks you to walk through the door to this other way of making music, that's much more about the raw, the outbursts of emotion, the jam, the stuff that's rough around the edges. Accessing the spiritual, in the ordinary act of playing together. And that's why I love this album so much. 5/5

Outstanding music by Van the Man

Beautiful voice. Cool ethereal chamber folk. Foul guy these days.

Wow, vraiment un chef d'oeuvre. Quoi dire de plus... la production, chant, musique. Il y a tout là-dedans. 5*

The man is an absolute asshole but this is his best work

This is a beautiful album. You really gotta dive into this one to appreciate it, it’s complex with well crafted instrumental arrangements to accompany Morrison’s steady stream of lyrics. The lyrics sound nonsensical and mythical for sure but it’s awesome nonetheless. Not one track on here I don’t enjoy, 5 stars

Stuuningly beautiful album. From start to finish.

great

Amazing.

One of the greatest masterpieces in the history of contemporary music. Breathtaking and groundbreaking record.

I bloody love this album. Instantly takes me back to when I got into Van Morrison when I was about 17/18 and I love it.

Beautiful, heartfelt and soulful

Being a music-first, lyrics-later kind of guy, I've always had troucle understanding the impact this iconic album made on people over time. It's not that the music is not good, it *is*. But the tracks on this album are more like *exquisite* extended jams than songs proper. *Exquisite* because the performances are amazing, and they manage to draw from *very* different genres (soul, traditional folk music, jazz, rock...), gathering them into a cohesive, quite personal whole. But as hard as I tried getting the nuances in those performances, the lack of chord variations has always been an impediment on my appreciation of what Van Morrison attempted to do here.I've just realized that if I follow the (partly improvised?) lyrics while listening to those tracks, *Astral Weeks* takes on a whole different dimension. It's probably the 'stream-of-consciousness' feel of those lyrics, mirroring a vocal performance where Van Morrisson literally uses his voice the way a jazz sax player would use his instrument. This record is one-of-a-kind, there's no doubt about that. In spite of my previous problems with it, I'll give it a 4/5 or 4,5/ grade, rounded up to 5/5 here because of its originality and cultural impact. I might not *fully* get *Astral Weeks* yet. But for once, I'm pretty sure it's because of my own mindset whenever I listen to it, and not because of any intrinsic artistic *flaws*. Sometimes mystery makes you return to LPs you still cannot fully grasp. This is rare, but when it happens, you just *know* they're actually "essential" albums... Number of albums left to review or just listen to: less than 700, I've temporarily lost count here Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens:  approximately a half so far (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: a quarter Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): the last quarter

Van Morrison himself may be a bit of a c u next tuesday, but this is a perfect album, and one of the best of all time.

Beautiful! I am a starting to become a Morrison fan

mixing is kinda weird i think but idk the instrumental is nice voice a little jarring

Just an amazing and my favorite Van Morrison album. It's just a great album to listen to start to finish but it hits the peak with Madame George and Ballerina. The recording and production is outstanding, plus all the various instruments used, strings, harpsicords, flutes, vibraphones, they just create this wonderful tapestry that perfectly accompanies but never steps on Vans vocals. This is the perfect album to set back and let spin on vinyl. Easy 5+++ stars.

This is such a brilliant album. A revelation when I first heard it. I'm not even a Van Morrison "fan", but every song on this album moves me. Beautifully arranged and produced with flourishes of folk and jazz and classical each listen yields something new and fresh to enjoy. The title track and Sweet Thing (try the Waterboys cover of Sweet Thing too, it's excellent) are obvious standouts but to single out any particular song does the album a disservice. It really should be taken as a whole piece. The definition of a timeless album. 5 stars

haunting and lyrical

Van the Man has been Van the Crank for about as long as he was great at this point, but his first Warner Bros. album is one of his all time best. It is etherial and hypnotic and hazy and clear all at the same time. "Sweet Thing" is probably the best Van Morrison song and that is with some tough competition. For better or worse (and I think most likely for better), this album was of the "calm down in case of panic" albums in constant rotation on my ipod during my first year of college.

9/10 super fun I just think Van Morrison’s voice gets a little annoying after a while but yeah the music was great!

I just love Van's voice so much

What more can you say about this. Beautiful, devastating, a masterpiece. I’ve listened to this record hundreds of times yet I’m overjoyed to have it pop up here so I can listen again.

An album that seems to spring out of a place and a time. An organic music cycle. I would consider this a continuous suite more than a series of songs. Much of it seems improvised and most of it is excellent. Cleary Van's muse took him many places over his career. Here, the focus is inward, but not in a spiritual way. It is more inner observations set to a combination of folk, jazz, rock and soul. The songs themselves always seemed to me built on simple structures that progress as a series of layers. It is haunting and meditative at the same time.

At first I was going to give this a 4, but after a second listen, I think it deserves a 5. Morrison covers a variety of ground from folk rock to Soul/R&B to almost Jazz and it all flows together seamlessly. There are a couple of really great songs like Astral Weeks and Cypress Avenue and everything else is really good. Too bad he's turned into a curmudgeon.

Just an unbelievable album and one of the best "vibe" albums of all time. Van Morrison and his band take you on a musical journey which at times feels both timeless and otherworldly. While clearly influential on Bruce's The wild, the Innocent I can't think of anything else that sounds like it. The fusion of folk, jazz, soul, rock, and pop is simply remarkable and his voice is not bad either. Easy 5.

Sehr entspanntes nices Album!

So awesome

Great work. Another classic.

Music at its most mystical.

PERFECT

Van the Man's all time greatest statement, the back story of which is one of the wildest and most batshit insane in all of music. That shouldn't detract from the beauty that still emanates from this album almost fifty-five years on. From the first verse uttered to the last verse sung, Van's voice flows with such grace and effortlessness that one can only wonder... and listen in awe. I still do.

Guitars and auxiliary instruments sound perfect. Almost a little too sprawling, but really enjoyable.

There’s not much between this and Moondance in the classic stakes. While a slightly preferred the latter, this is a complete one off.

I think this is Morrison’s best. Tremendous musical range, a cinematic expansiveness in the sound, masterful composition and performance and yet with a genuine feeling of spontaneity and looseness.

One of my all-time favorites, an album my parents played a lot in my house growing up and one I continue to listen to on a regular basis. The music is magical to me. The arrangements are rich and layered but they feel so natural and organic. The songs flow like water. Van Morrison’s vocals are stunning. He bends and stretches his voice in ways I’ve never heard before or since. Sometimes I just have to laugh at the way he delivers a line. He’ll slur through his words and I’ll have no idea what he’s saying but I feel the emotion! It’s an amazing performance. Loose and jazzy and full of life! I definitely have favorite songs and favorite moments but I tend to think of the album as one piece of music. When I think about it, I remember the big, sweeping emotions and the sound of all these instruments (the strings, the flutes, the piano, the guitar) and how they blend together for one unique sound. Just beautiful. (So funny to get this album right after the Nick Drake album after I compared him to Van Morrison.)

I don't always love his singing, but I love his song writing.

Probably one of the greatest albums of all time. Constantly in my Top Three

Astral Weeks is one of my favorite albums, one I can listen to endlessly on repeat. It's such a pleasure to hear. This is an album very much of its era, but somehow also out of time. I love the intermingling of jazz and folk, the delicate little baroque touches, the use of flute and vibes and that marvelous double bass. The style of the album is distinctive, improvisational, loose and dreamy. Morrison's lyrics are an eloquent stream of consciousness, best enjoyed as impressions of memory and feeling rather than analyzed for their content. The album was a deeply personal expression for Morrison, and it feels intimate to listen to, like we're privy to his deepest memories. I can't think of another album like it. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Astral Weeks, Madame George, Ballerina, The Way Young Lovers Do, Sweet Thing, Cyprus Avenue, Beside You, Slim Slow Slider

A goto sunday morning album. The way the songs hold together is spectacular. There are places where it feels that it could unravel but beautifully manages keeps it together.

I give it 9/5 but I’m extremely biased..Van has been my favorite artist since 1970( have all his music plus bootlegs). This is a very good album but in my humble opinion not his best.His songwriting/ poetry is inspiring, love his horn playing.I’ve seen him 3 times in concert( 2nd row in Toronto)…love him…..

Hard to describe in words, but the serenity and melancholic charm is undeniable. Love it.

Growing up in the 70's and 80's, this album was always put as a top ten album of all time. For some reason in recent years, you don't see it quite as high; I'm not sure why? It still sounds great and original. I don't feel this has aged any. His second album and a big change from his first more-pop oriented ("Brown-Eyed Girl" one). A fusion of Van's "Blue-Eyed Soul" and jazz musicians. Van would roughly play each song on an acoustic guitar to the musicians and they would construct the songs from that. Van stayed in a separate room from the musicians and would improvise the lyrics from the music played. Additional instruments were added after. Yeah, lots of history on the recording. Although not an overarching connection between songs, each song is almost its own separate story, the flow of the album has a distinct feel to it. Each song seems to be about romantic fantasies and/or past romantic occurrences. His lyrics tend to use imagery of nature and surroundings and improvised thoughts to progress the story: a definite poetic approach. Additional strings appear to have been added to accentuate certain parts of the songs and adds to the jazzy feel. Song highlights include "Sweet Thing", its majestic feel, "Cypress Avenue", fantasies about a girl from school, and "Madame George", don't know what it's exactly about but Van's most paasionate and emotional singing. This albums stills sounds like a masterpiece to me.

One of my all time favorites!

I find something new in every listen. A brilliant and truly timeless album. Easily top-10 of the entire list.

An all time classic

This is a classic album. For me no other VM album comes close. I love the jazzy arrangements especially the opening title track which I can listen to over and over again. Other hilights; Sweet Thing, (which some younger listeners might recognize from The Waterboys brilliant cover), Cypress Avenue, Madame George, damn I could probably name every song. The arrangements are always tasteful and interesting. The guitar playing also very impressive as is all the playing on this excellent album. 5 🌟

Amazingly chill album. One of my favorite albums to listen to on a Friday evening while chilling.

Xx

Flawless

I listened to this a lot 30 years ago and expected to like it again instantly. I was put off a bit by not remembering how waily beside you becomes, but the rest of the album holds up extremely well. Layered/complex, even the long songs (Madame George) still hold their way through 9.5 minutes. It's passionate and soulful. Amazing album.

I've heard that seeing Van Morrisson live is extremely disappointing. I don't let that affect my judgement because Van Morrisson is the godfather of emo. This album, and frankly any album of his that I've heard is just amazing. Due mostly to his ability to build from a soft to a powerful and unrelenting climax that seems to go on forever. I am so easily exhausted listening to him but somehow he continues unabated and inevitably I break. There's something about these songs that transports you back to your early 20s. When life is still fun but quickly becomming complicated. These songs emulate the elation and struggles of young adulthood. The struggles that seem insurmountable in the moment but are somehow overcome. The struggles that, when overcome, fill you with a sense of pride as you marvel at your fresh battle wounds. Those memories of early adulthood are indelible, yet hidden only to be mysteriously unlocked by listening to a Van Morrisson album like Astral Weeks.

great album

Очень понравился альбом

5/5 - Excellent

My favourite Van Morrison albums and one of my favourite albums full stop. A thing of beauty. A masterpiece

A near perfect album of melody, instrumentals, lyrics, and harmony. Van Morrison has a great ability to captivate with his music. This is his most well crafted album. 9.8/10

It feels like the album name - astral. Love it. Hard to describe what it is as it's just different.

Van is the man, amazing record

I'm a fan of old grumpy-boots and I know this is generally accepted amongst the cognoscenti to be his magnum opus, but frankly I don't get it. I was hooked after 3 seconds of the opening bars but after that there was a long wait to hear anything approaching coherence. The influence reaches down the decades though - just try playing David Gray's version of Say Hello Wave Goodbye then Madame George (that's only one example from that album, there are loads). At least half of this album is effectively just a two-chord backing track with The Man wailing nonsense over the top. What a beautiful noise he makes, though. At 2:30am after a couple of spliffs it can't be beaten; at 5:30pm over fish fingers and beans, it just doesn't have the same effect, but still, what a voice. There are better albums in his catalogue, though. Checkout 'Dweller on the threshold' from the opera house live in Belfast rather than this. Of course I could be wrong; I'll just play it again to be sure. Oh wow, that opening track is fantastic..

Continues to make me cry. Main building at Vassar College, 3rd floor Nicks room heard from my 2nd floor corner. Kelly Nick and I sharing that. Special as heck.

I really loved this whole album. It's such an interesting mix of folk, blues, jazz, and other styles. I think Brown Eyed Girl is probably my only real exposure to Van Morrison, but this album really got me.

Love this. Van Morrison is the best

springtime oldie nostalgia with a cinematic orchestral backing

Great

Stone cold classic. 9/10

!

Masterpiece. One of the most peaceful albums ever. 9-10/10

Loves the sound.

Don't need any. This is one of my favorite albums of all time.

Poetry. Up there with Dylan's best.

Owned on vinyl.

so rich and shaped folk acoustic music forever

Speaks for itself

I love this album. It’s so soulful and reflective. Perfect for a summers morning!

I won’t go into my album listening history with VM as I did so previously, but I’d always heard this was THE ALBUM one must listen to as a fan. When I finally did I recall being underwhelmed by it. I didn’t think it was bad, but I was missing actual songs. I think I might’ve only played it once or twice. And felt like I must be missing something. Well here we are again, about 35 years later. Was I still going to feel the same way? The easy answer was mostly yes. I was still missing the songs with the hooks that grab you and make you love music. But I did get the appreciation for it as an album. As a vibe. As the cohesive package that he was trying to get across. And it totally worked with that as the overall feel. Unfortunately, I still was left wanting the songs. It’s a great album. I can’t deny it. But it’s also not as enjoyable as many of his other ones for me.

Very groovy for 68..not rock. Jazz sounds, r&b vocals, painted from memory lyrics. Dug it.

Might not like this as much as I thought. Its been a while. I still like but seems a bit more rambly. By the end I was brought back. 4 Heard before? Yes Owned: Yes, 89/338 (26%) Will I get: Already have

This is one of those albums with immense critical favour, and it's one I've played a fair bit. While I think it is pretty good, some of the more folky stylings in it grate a bit. This album definitely deserves a place in this list, though maybe not a 5 star rating.

Vamos hoy miércoles con otro álbum de Van Morrison. Disco folk, me recuerda a Nick Drake sólo que más luminoso. Más feliz. Me parece un buen disco para una mañana. Para un abrazo para quien uno ama. De esos abrazos en que los cuerpos se funden en uno, uno cierra los ojos y se transporta a otro plano junto con la persona amada: el mejor ejemplo de esto es "Madame George". Disco para hacer silencio y permanecer con un otro. Disco también para duelar la partida de ése otro y empezar a soltar el amor que una vez fue, no sin la nostalgia. Hasta mañana

I used to work in a shop where Van Morrison was a regular customer, and he was legendarily obnoxious. Quite how such toxic POS ever put out such a beautiful album is beyond me. The arrangements, blending classical, folk and jazz remain unique, and while Morrison's vocal style leaves something to be desired, the narrative, poetic lyrics swing between tragic and joyfully uplifting. Sometimes this combo tips over into pretentiousness, but mostly it's a delight.

Surprisingly good and clearly influential on a lot of folk/solo artists

8/10

It's a good one

great album, good voice, good songs

Loved it. I wanted to be drinking coffee on a deck in the mountains at sunrise.

Despite myself, I found myself liking this a fair bit more than Moondance, which was mostly uninspired outside of the title track. While this one definitely dragged in the middle, it started out strong, and I think ended on a fairly strong note too.

200526 16:00 4

I enjoyed this album, but not as much as Moondance. Sweet Thing was very good.

4.5

Some of the tracks are to drawn out, but really cool vibe. 4.5 stara

Album #151 Van Morrison: Astral Weeks Astral Weeks is such a fascinating album, and its nature is best represented by this very website, where seemingly every single review for it is either a 5-star or a 1-star. To some, Astral Weeks is a life-changing spiritual journey that speaks to the soul unlike any other album, and to others, it is unlistenable hippy drivel. Though I find myself agreeing far more with the former, I still can’t completely cosign the idea that this album exists in a realm of its own. Part of the reason for its individual sound is that Van Morrison recorded it in just a matter of weeks with session musicians and almost nothing planned out; in some ways, it really just is a man baring his soul. Though my enjoyment of Astral Weeks does vary by mood, my feelings on it range somewhere from ‘that was pretty good’ to ‘that is one of the greatest albums of all time’, and this listen I find that it landed itself around ‘this album is certainly essential’, because whether you like it or not this thing is firmly within the musical cannon and personifies the idea of an album you need to hear before you die. Though I will admit that I prefer Moondance which is a take that would get me lynched at any Van Morrison fan club. Best Songs: Astral Weeks, Sweet Thing, Madame George Worst Song: Slim Slow Slider Score out of 10: 9

roadtrip worthy

I love this album, like, a lot. But I honestly don't think it quite has the depth of a 5-star album. This one hurts because I feel strongly about this one.

On of those ones I really started to like on the second listen, and I noticed his sharp, powerful, angular voice reminded me of Neil Young and other folk rock dudes I love. His lyrics are incredible and the instrumentation recalls Nick Drake - a high compliment. Beside Me was my favorite of the songs.

This was a pretty good record. Loved the bass, the lyrics were pretty interesting, and his voice has a roughness to it, that is believable. Enjoyed this one.

Notables: - The Way Young Lovers Do - Madam George

Esta bueno pero no es mi estilo

Sounds like an intimate live album with Van ad-libbing throughout. While many might not like this, it worked for me, perhaps because Van cries his heart out in typical fashion.

Lacking the more hooky songs of Moondance he absolutely skates over these jazzy instrumentals. Not better or worse than that just different. No idea what he was saying most of the time, but it was good. Favorites were Astral Weeks, Sweet Thing, and Madame George.

C'est mieux chanté que Dylan, mais c'est moins bien écrit.

I love this album, but on listening through for this project, the vocal patterns left something to be desired for me. I love the hits, but it's not quite a perfect album to me. 8/10

There is something about this dude’s voice that I’ve always loved and I’ve never been able to pinpoint it, and his songs are great too. Overall this was a great album but I feel like a few songs could’ve been shorter.

Beautiful

I've never dived into van morrison's stuff. I really liked most of this album. He has such a distinctive voice and it's really on display in a lot of these songs. Favorites were Astral Weeks Cyprus Avenue The Way Young Lovers Do Madame George

An enjoyable folk-jazz album, I think this is overrated at four and underrated at a 3

3. album jeg hører med ham, 3. gang jeg er positivt overrasket. Musikken passer virkelig godt til hans stemme, som er en ok acquired taste

When to listen: sitting on a lawn with lots of trees, staring up at the sky. Not just this album but any Van Morrison album. Not his best album but there were little flourishes and moments I deeply loved.

Strong album, brown eyed girl is a classic. One thing you can say about van morrison is that he had short muscular legs like a footballer. He shuffled all the way to the top on his beefy Celtic drummers.

Before he turned into a complete egotist so still pretty good.

One of the best singer-songwriters

Good album. Over before you know it.

i don't know.... it's really pretty. Van Morrison's a crabby old fuck who can barely sing, but this album kinda fucks. i don't really fuck with his r&b or rock forward stuff, but this gentle folk is the type of stuff that really fits his lyricism well. aesthetically pristine. Sweet Thing is just incredible, really. deserves to be one of the 1001? yes

The more folky tracks are really good. The jazz influenced tracks are not. Multiple 7+ minutes songs overstay their welcome a bit. Overall, it's a keeper.

Once upon a time, I saw Astral Weeks ranked 7th best album of all time by Rolling Stone. So I checked it out. I liked it, but 7th? All time? Later I heard Van's follow-up album, Moondance, and that resonated more with me... which only sharpened the question: if I think Moondance is the better album, why did Rolling Stone rank this one in the top 10 all time? Two things, I think. First, Astral Weeks came first. Innovation matters, even within your own body of work. Second, some people genuinely love the free-flowing structure here in a way I can only partially share. The people who rank Astral Weeks at the top tend to experience Van's vocal improvisation as the melody, hearing it almost like a horn solo. That's a valid mode of listening. It's just one I don't love. I want a little more structure. At its best, the songs "Astral Weeks" and "Sweet Thing" for example, the album is transcendent. But outside those two tracks, the melodies never quite grabbed me, and melody is load-bearing for me as a listener. Four stars because the ambition is real, the musicianship is extraordinary, and those two tracks alone justify the album's reputation. But in my opinion Moondance is better. It shows what Van could do when he brought that same spirit into tighter focus.

Comme ça a été quelques fois soulevé ici, on commence à être saturé du son des 60s collectivement. C'est dommage pour M. Morrison, peut-être que s'il était arrivé plus tôt sur la liste il aurait eu un 5 étoiles. C'était un album idéal pour descendre la 155 Nord avec mes cocos qui dorment. Petites limites qui m'ont accroché : -je suis pas tant un fan de son timbre de voix criard. - les tounes étaient globalement des 'jams', des 'grooves' et 8-10 minutes ça avait des longueurs. A 4 minutes, j'étais déjà satisfait, le reste c'était un peu du remplissage... Bob Dylan aussi a fait ça avec Desolation Row et Sad-Eyed Lady à l'époque PIS C'EST GOSSANT. - j'aime pas les fade-out, petit pet peeve personnel. Finissez vos tounes guys...

A very relaxed album that I enjoyed a lot!

Heard a lot of Van Morrison in my life, but never this album. It’s really a work of art in every way. Each song is its own world and its own story. I feel like every listen would allow a new discovery and revelation in the music. The arrangements are so complex and beautiful. Such an amazing album! Top Songs: Cyprus Avenue, The Way Young Lovers Do, Ballerina

I love you Van

Love it. Perfect dinner making album

i understand the why and how this is so acclaimed. that being said, not my thing.

Listened to this years ago and it didn't really click with me, but I enjoyed it a lot more this time around. Thought the first track was especially good

awesome!

Sounds very unique and quite gorgeous. Have to say I only had it going in one ear as I listened and probably need to give it another whirl. 3.7/5

Grata sorpresa No lo conocía y me ha gustado

It’s a shame Van Morrison is a piece of shit cause man…

It’s good but it made me feel down

what an amazing album, too bad morrison didn't continue with this style

ovaj album zvuči kao moneova slika! što je crazy, ali istina. zvukovi prirode u pozadini, instrumenti kao što su flauta, bas i slično, koji sviraju nekako vazdušaste melodije, samo doprinose tom utisku! van morison peva u onom stilu gde nema jednu fiksiranu melodiju nego samo kenja nešto i to me iskreno nervira, ali ne previše. ima dosta dugačkih pesama ali uopšte nemaš osećaj kao da slušaš istu pesmu 9 minuta, iako nisu nešto preterano dinamične pesme, prosto ti ne dosadi melodija, nemam pojma. opustila sam se dok sam slušala ovaj album iskreno. pesma the way young lovers do ima neki džezi zvuk i instrumente, mnogo mi se dopala! produkcija i miks su veoma dobri, mada sam slušala remaster, ali svakako.

Intense session with a familiar voice.

4.0

Like listening to a sunset

don't attack me but this feels like a b-version of Pink Moon. 8/10.

An early, important album. 50+ years later, he's still relevant.

Never get tired of the Celtic Godfather of Soul’s singing and music. Too bad he went insane during Covid.

I didn't get quite as engaged by it as I did with his live album but it's still a pleasing album to listen to, he has a unique and substantial feel to his music I'll look forward to seeing how Moondance compares to the rest

The more I listen to this album the more I continue to find new things I love about it.

4.5 - so so close to a 5. Van at his peak. There’s just little too much jazz flute on “Beside You” than I can handle. Other than than, it’s pure bliss.

Fuck this guy. Also, amazing album just transcendal

Astral Weeks - 5/5 Beside You - 3/5 Sweet Thing - 5/5 Cyprus Avenue - 4/5 The Way Young Lovers Do - 5/5 Madame George - 5/5 Ballerina - 3/5 Slim Slow Slider - 3/5 Average score: 4.2/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ these tracks could stand to be at least a couple minutes shorter, if not more. once you pass the 4-5 minute mark it's a whole lot of hootin and hollerin aside from that, i suppose there are some gems here

Really nice listen. Jazzy folky classical and blues

Titlte track is such a great song

This is a pretty remarkable album. If you know, you know. There are times when it sounds like all the musicians are playing different songs at the same time but I wouldn’t change a thing. Not my favourite VM album but I love it all the same. Several songs on this make me cry. Ireland forever. Best: Sweet Thing is a perfect song Worst: Beside You is an absolute rabble

it all blended tg ngl

Bonus points for not including all the Van Morrison songs you know, and a point deduction for flute usage. I actually really like a handful of songs on here, and am definitely between ratings. Going with the higher of the two because I just enjoyed this vibe today.