Moondance

Before I hit play, I should disclose that I know (and love) several of these songs. But I have not listened to the entire album. I also figured out that you can hit the Reviews link above to learn more about the album. I'm not going to check it before my listen, but just accidentally hit it yesterday after I had finished Bob's album. Now here we goes... First song. Sounds like Van Morrison to me. Second song. Maybe my favorite VM song. I think maybe Buble did a version somewhat recently. Third song. Another great one. Short and sweet. Definitely the kind of song that makes you remember what you were doing when you heard it. Fourth song. Reviews are shorter on these. Just enjoying the songs. Fifth song. Love. Sixth song. I don't know this one. A little different than the previous with a nice little catchy baseline and beat. Seventh song. Also a little catchier I think. With saxamaphone! This album is really a great listen so far. Eighth song. Another one I knew previously. A nice listen, good piano. Pretty classic of his style on this album. Ninth song. You know who likes this one? Everyone. Everyone. Everyone. Everyone. Tenth song. More catchy stuff. I dig it. Overall, a great album. The interesting thing is that I didn't really know Van Morrison all that well until around 2005 or so. I had really gotten in to Brett Dennen, who is a modern similar folk singer (and great by the way). And as I explored his influences, I went back in time to Cat Stevens and VM. This is one of the great things about having a subscription service (or two!). I can follow this threads and leads and see what grows and flourishes and what withers and needs pruned. It is truly a great time to be alive and be able to discover things like this!

Like a greatest hits album, but not.

Van the Man! Great songs. Cohesive with a variety of styles!

Excellence! This is one of my all-time favourites. 5/10 songs on this album are the best songs I’ve ever heard. I fucking LOVE this album. Love it. Van Morrison has one of the most unique and engaging voices I’ve ever heard. He sings like a soft summer breeze wafting over a meadow, but he looks the toad hopping through it. I love this album end to end, but I hate what a garbage human he is. Ultimately, I’m rating this one with my ears, not my ethics, so it’s a clear 5 star victory. Iiiiiiiiii wanna rock this album loud, just like back in the days of old. And sail into the mystic…

Great album! Love Van.

Brought back old memories.

This is one of my favorite albums.

One of his best. I've listened to it many times.

Great album for a lazy summer afternoon

Always loved this album its part of my music history - I think Van is the man and I love som many of the tracks

schöner 70er pop

I knew Van Morrison was good, but I didn't realise he was *this good*. Pleasantly surprised by how fantastic this album is.

smooth, warm, perfect album to drink tea to, another mysterious case of do i like the album or is the dude just hot, perfect thing to come back to after christmas, the vibe is just immaculate

Great album, so many classic songs. Moondance, Into the Mystic, and Crazy Love. I think every song off this album is great, I could listen to the whole thing over and over. The smooth jazzy bass, horns, everything about is great

A masterpiece. Too bad Van the man turned out to be such a political asshole.

Fricken classic - crazy love, moondance,

really great album. will listen again.

An easy 5. Always loved this album since I first heard it years ago, and especially after seeing Van perform it in its entirety at the Hollywood Bowl. He may be a jerk in some of his political attitudes and how he treats people allegedly, but damn if he can’t create magic with his voice and an inspired band playing with him.

Obra maestra desde la primera canción a la última

What an album. So many genres smoothly mixed into one that doesn’t quite fit any mold. Dude can sing, lyrics are fire and the instrumentation is both pretty and danceable.

van morrison is awesome

I got to hear it. Don’t have to fear it. This album contains one of the greatest songs ever written. Into the Mystic is an absolute masterpiece.

grew up on this stuff

The first half is stronger than the second, but that's to be expected since the first half is perfect. Van the man!

Lovely album

Amazing record. Expected to like it. Loved it.

I naïvely started this late, believing I was gonna hear 1000 albums, not like this, but of this quality about half of which I would know and half of which I knew were out there and yet to discover. That has not been the case.

Okay, Van Morrison has become a grumpy old shit. That said, this album is so full of classic bluesy bangers that I am willing to ignore his current nonsense. Into the Mystic and It Stoned Me are just about two of the best songs to come out of the 70s. Moondance is overplayed but gee that voice.

Heartwarming in a cheesy way topped off with a Tony Blundetto banger, what's not to love

A perfect album. One that lays out clearly thre distinct voice of Morrison. Perfectly blends Irish Folk, Jazz and RnB. A beautiful and nostalgic album.

Fue un álbum lindo de escuchar. Mg me robé un par de canciones.

Flirts with being a perfect album. Takes the best of the pop-iness of Brown Eyed Girk with the introspection of Astral Weeks. Just good sign alongs. Glad tidings from New York!

Dig it, good kind of mellow but with a country thing, will listen to again

I really liked this album. Would definitely listen to again. Moondance is the highlight of the record. 5/5

Top 20 of mine!!

The whole album is quite solid, but moondance is a masterpiece

Bob Dylan vibes. Cool album

Amazing album, soulful and moving, that could be listened to in the kitchen or living room. Definitely try his other albums!

Album reminds me of my college professor who was a huge Van Morrison fan. The album is a really fun listen. Seemingly a timeless record with a song for every mood and occasion.

very nice

Actually really good. It grew on me a lot, especially the title track. I think that the Friday albums will always receive higher scores, as you have time to get used to them.

Love it

Timeless classic, no bad songs. Incredible

It was good

Amazing

AMAZING... from start to finish...

Love this album. I have been listening to it my whole life because of my Dad. Moondance reminds me of driving across the country with Evelyn. Lot of good memories tied to the album. I have listened to it a ton of times already.

Holy crap. One of my new favorite albums. Knew some of the songs, but didn’t realize how tight that album was.

Thoroughly enjoy the first part of the album. Actually was listening to a cover of into the mystic (unrelated to this project) and was floored by how beautiful the song was. Hearing it again and hearing the bass this time was a lot cooler, tho. The entire album features pretty dang nice and smooth bass lines that I’m excited to learn

Super chill. Good start to finish.

A masterpiece.

Loved it!

Very much enjoyed this one. 4.75/5

I will re-lissen

HAIKU REVIEW And it stoned me Van’s voice is like whiskey smoke A timeless classic

Looooooove this album so much.

Yes!

This is 100% my jam

Wonderful album to get on a Saturday. Perfect

Love this album. Feels good every time. Every song is great - couple of my favorites are caravan and come running.

I love this album. Into the Mystic is an incredible track, but really - i love it all. Brand New Day was inspired by Van listening to The Band. Possibly i love it even more. Easy listen, made me feel good and vibe a lot.

Going in Moondance was the only song I knew on this, and fantabulous is too earnest a word for any lyrics to pull off. I ended up preferring the vibe of the rest of the album instead. Came back to increase my score because I have listened to this quite a bit. Tracks - Crazy Love, Into The Mystic, Brand New Day

This is a really great album. This is one of those albums that was always on around my house growing up because my dad loved it, so these songs just kind of sunk into my head. Ironically the one song I'm not a fan of on this album is the title track, it's too smooth jazzy for me. Aside from that, this feels like an understandable next step after Astral Weeks, which is a masterpiece and will always be my favorite of Van Morrison's. Too bad he's a lunatic anti-vaxxer now, it was fun while it lasted. Standout Tracks: And It Stoned Me, Crazy Love, Caravan, Into the Mystic, Come Running, These Dreams of You, Brand New Day, Everyone,

Wow a great record, who'd have thunk it possible? I've always loved Van, Domino from the next album His Band blah blah is my favourite all time Vanster tune, but hey Caravan started his whole "on the rayyydio" schtick, and to this day I can't get enough of Van singing "raydio...raydio...on the raydio". Caravan is a deadset highlight of The Last Waltz, Van high kicking his way off stage in purple spangled seventies suit.. ( turn up that raydio...raydio...)Dimery people out there, if you want to understand Van and his place in the world watch Branagh's Belfast, where Van's tunes are the soundtrack. Tells you so much about where he's from and where he's at as a Northern Irish protestant boy making his way in the world. Been kicked and ripped off has Van, just ask him how he feels about Brown Eyed Girl to get a sense of how he sees things artistically. He had to go through the hippy drippy bizo of Astral Weeks to get to Moondance, but aren't we glad he did. These songs, just unbelievable. The opening five to six tracks are simply unbeatable as a sequence, probably the best I've heard in this weirdo process, they are that good. Like the last great record a few weeks ago now, Stevie W, Van is writing and producing tunes for the ages, what was in the water back then, no one can do this today. And it Stoned Me, Into the Mystic, just sublime, beautiful pop music. This was so good to go back to and listen anew. I'm sure the next record is going to an Anthrax live triple album.

I don’t know how to talk about this record. It’s like reviewing the Bible or something. As a teenager I was a huge fan of Van’s band Them - I don’t think anything I heard in 1965 was as radical as Gloria. But when they broke up, I lost touch with Van. Brown Eyed Girl may have been a Top Ten hit in America but it was never on the 2UE Top 40. So I missed his Bang label stuff and his first 3 albums for Warners when they were released, of which Moondance was the second. It was after a weekend in a farmhouse outside Goulburn, visiting a mate who’d moved there in mid-1972 & had a bunch of Morrison lp’s by joining the Australian Record Club. As soon as I got back to Sydney I signed up & soon had Astral Weeks, His Band And The Street Choir & Moondance. And I’ve been a devotee ever since. Even after what is generally regarded as one of the most disappointing concerts ever held at the old Sydney Entertainment Centre in 1985. (His only 20th Century tour here). But that’s another story. This is one of the most played albums I own. I love these tracks. The first 5 are all classics. The following 5 are not padding, they just exist in less rarified air. I love the voice he uses on the exquisite Crazy Love. I love the grandeur of Caravan. And I love the fact that Moondance became a go-to song for saloon singers over the last half-century. (Most notably Buble in 2003 - would have been a nice little earner for Van). A great, great record.

beautiful folk! i had heard moondance before but didn't know which album it was from, such a beautiful song

Van’s poppiest, most accessible album is a tour de force. No filler on this platter. Never dates and always hits the spot

I’ve never thought about ranking Van Morrison. Most of the run from Astral to Fleece is basically perfect (Hard Nose being the good not Great album in the run). I’d say I reach for this one more often and that’s certainly true, even last fm agrees with me. It’s a warm blanket of an album.

If you like Van Morrison, and I do, this is sublime. When a band is really working, you can forget that there’s individual musicians. This is a great example where the band coalesces into something more than the sun of its parts.

just a great album. everything meshes perfectly, it feels like nothing should be added or taken away. really enjoyable listen, and i’m gonna come back to it many times

"And It Stoned Me" is a great song to start an album. Especially because there's no interlude, it just goes straight into the lyrics. To read that this album was written from a mountaintop cabin in the Catskills is not surprising, either. It's smooth and beautiful. I love Moondance, Into The Mystic and Crazy Love, as well. This is just a solid album all around. I had never heard the song Come Running, but it was also great. It has an early Bruce Springsteen rattle and shake and saloon piano feel to it all. Five stars.

If you don't love this album, you either don't have ears or a heart. It's nearly perfect.

Really good album. I’m molecularly connected to Into the Mystic. One night on a backroad with the windows down and wind blowing in my hair. Magical. The rest of the album was great. Very jazzy. Some blues. Just great.

Stoned Me, Moondance, Crazy Love - maybe the best opening three to an album ever? (I said maybe). Seriously though, Van is iconic. He makes this sound so much easier than it actually is. It's jazz, folk, rock all mixed together - but in a really crafty way. No complaints.

Always good

A masterpiece Van displayed several styles here, starting with the 1st song that is one of my favorites by him ‘And it stoned me’

A magical record, such great musicality and represents a wonderful era of songwriting.

This is largely considered one of the best albums of all time and it shows. So many hits on here and very re-listenable!

Oustanding

Låter ju så självklart från och med första introt. Föregångaren är dock strået vassare.

Honestly, this just gives such comfy, authentic, heartfelt vibes. Like listening to it even on the second or third listen feels like I’m returning to my hometown during the holidays to see family and old friends. Just an overall really quality record. 9/10

And It Stoned Me, Moondance (best song), Crazy Love, Caravan, Into the Mystic, Come Running, These Dreams of You, Brand New Day, Everyone and Glad Tidings. Amazing jazz throughout the songs. Great bass and flute. Love the combo of folk with jazz. A lot less boring than Astral Weeks. Shorter songs and better flow. Love it.

"Moondance" is the third studio album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison. After the commercial failure of his previous album "Astral Weeks," Morrison moved to upstate New York where he met musicians, John Platonia (guitarist), Jack Schroer (saxophonist) and Jeff Labes (keyboardist), whom he recorded the album with in NYC. He also decided to abandon the abstract folk jazz of his previous album to more composed songs, which he wrote and produced by himself. The lyrical themes are focused on finding spiritual renewal and redemption through nature and romance. The album was both a critical and commercial success propelling him to a major artist in popular music. "And It Stoned" showcases Morrison's great, clean and soulful vocals. Piano, drums, acoustic guitar and just lovely sax. The lyrics were based on an experience he had fishing as a youth and stresses feeling joy from witnessing and experiencing nature. "Moondance" is more jazzy, straight-forward and less souful. A flute as lead instrument at times for Heaven's sake! Adult romance in the fall. The second single from the album was the ballad "Crazy Love." Van goes falsetto and sounds similar to Smokey Robinson and 60's Motown. A song Helen Ready covered and took to the top ten. A spiraling piano opens "Caravan." A bounce beat. Blue-eyed soul. More lovely sax and as lead instrument to. The transcendent power of music. Acoustic guitar and soft drums and we're "Into the Mystic." Lots of nature imagery. A wonderful song. The balance between the wonder of nature and the cosmic universe. The second side begins with "Come Running," the first released single. More R&B and upbeat with the piano and sax. Definitely the most pop song. "Brand New Day" was inspired by The Band and us a great deeper track. Slower piano. Alto sax. Van crooning. Female backing vocals giving this elements of soul, jazz and even blues. "Glad Tidings" ends the album with a bluesy beat and sounds like a Memphis Stax Records song. It's upbeat. Based on a letter Van got saying "Glad Tidings from London." The first side of this album is one of the best in music history. Van's forceful and soulful vocals. It's got Motown soul, blue eyed-soul, jazz, blues and pop. Interesting different instrumental leads and solos including sax and flute. For better or worse, it ushered in the popular softer rok of the 70's. Regardless, a true masterpiece.

What a lovely, soulful album. This is great stuff.

One of the greatest albums ever.

A very well written and produced soul-folk-jazzy album on which every songs are great. Van Morrison is such a great storyteller and I love his voice, too. A very soothing and calming album.

love this album. its just jazzy blues grooves start to finish

I have listened to this album many, many, many, many times in my life. It is not my favorite Van Morrison album, but it certainly is the sound that is most popular and familiar. I love it.

I grew up listening to this album. It was nice to listen to it with fresh years 52 years after its release. Pretty darn timeless. Of course I enjoyed this. The only real surprise was when I read that Van Morrison was Northern Irish… I had no idea.

I lived for a year and a half in Ireland, and at least part of this album was playing on a bus going through County Wicklow during my last day in the country. Bittersweet! Seems unfair to have to objectively rate an album I associate with curtains on a phase on my life. But I thought this was just lovely, that 3 song stretch from Crazy Love to Mystic hits all the right notes HL: Crazy Love, Caravan, Into the Mystic, Everyone March 24, 2023

Beautiful masterpiece

Van Morrison is a genius, I listened to so much Van Morrison in 2020. Me and dad got a photo outside his house in Belfast on a family holiday lol. Favourite song on this one probably And It Stoned Me

I got 'Astral Weeks' recommended to me and I gave it just two stars because often I can't deal with Van Morrison. 'Moondance' is the wonderful exception though and his best album in my book. There is a clear style yet a lot of fun ideas that it never gets boring. One of the best albums!

YAAAAAAS

fantastic listen

This album was wonderful. Big time improvement from Astral Weeks for me. This is the Van Morrison I expect to hear. Favorite track: Glad Tidings

What a fantastic album

Incredible album. The blend of jazz folk and rock that shine through all of the first side of the album is amazing. Moondance, It Stoned Me and Into the Mystic are all time classics of this period. The songwriting is intimate and strong without ever sounding pretentious. The second side of the album is not as strong but still shows some impressive songwriting and production from Van Morrison. Stellar album 9,5/10

Easily his best album. So much more focused and articulate than "Astral Weeks." Every one of these tracks could be a single. Not an ounce of filler. He has a natural soulfulness that feels completely worn in and authentic. Flows gracefully from song to song. Arrangements are so well balanced, with nice touches throughout, but nothing is overdone. Goldilocks zone. I consider this a perfect album. Watch him perform "Caravan" with The Band in "The Last Waltz" to see what he is capable of as a performer.

Out of the 10+ VM albums I know, always thought of Moondance as VM-light, in the sense as being one of his most accessible albums - had not listened to it for at least 15 years or so... ..but after the album finished, iTunes went seamlessly over into playing Tupelo Honey (skipping His Band and the Street Choir due to the alphabetical ordering) and I only realized this after a couple of songs, even happened to me twice... ..reason: the songs and atmosphere change quite a bit on the B-side (once Come Running begins). Anyways, pretty great album overall due to the perfect 5-star A-side (with Into the Mystic as the absolute highlight). It is not Def Leppard (the previous artist generated by the list) so I was initially doubting to give it 5 stars, but side A: 5-superstars side B: 3/4/5 stars overall: > 8/10 so just about 5 stars, whereas Astral Weeks is of course 10/10 and Into the Music is a firm 9/10 if I remember correctly.

Listened to this album couple of times to conclude that it is flawless.

One of my favorite albums.

That totally suited my Saturday afternoon post park run potter. Can't find fault with it, should I give it a 5...??

Amazing album!

Very good album I really enjoyed Moondance and into the mystic. Was some music that I could definitely study too. I also thought that Glad Tidings was a good song to end the album with. Would give 4.5 but will just be generous and give a 5

Love this album. Glad tidings is such a joyful way to end the album. Into the mystic is such a classic and has been a staple for me. The album is filled with tender ballads and uplifting lyrics. The second song Moondance has a fun jazzy twist to it whereas Everyone has more of a folk theme to it showing slight diversity of sound throughout the album. This is such a feel good album and very up my alley. A lot of emotions while listening with an overall happy mood. :)

One of the best albums of all time

Beautiful favorite.

This isn't about blowing you away, but it blew me away anyway. A world apart from Astral Weeks. Absolutely perfect for a small night in with friends.

Fucking love it! ❤️

Killer album!!!

One of my favorite albums growing up

One of the definitive Belfast Cowboy albums

10 out of 5..My favorite artist of all time….this album got me hook back in my early 70s in high school

Really liked this, dude has a cool voice. Great use of sax. If you like Cat Stevens at all, you'll probably like this too. Definitely some songs in here that are going into the rotation. In fact: 4.5 rounded up. This is definitely better than some of my 4s.

I have always loved this album so much

It’s van Morrison’s best effort. I can’t imagine there is a human who would give this less than 5 stars.

Oh my goodness! I've owned this LP for YEARS. It's not my favorite Van record, but it's close.

Masterpiece

Close to perfection.

Tight and focused where Astral Weeks was sprawling and ethereal but every bit as effective and haunting, perhaps even slightly more so. The first side is a landmark – great opener "And It Stoned Me," followed by the title cut (rare among monstrously overplayed tunes in that it holds up and doesn't become annoying – probably because it's perfectly structured), "Crazy Love" a sweet and endearing ballad, the groovy "Caravan" and "Into the Mystic" – is there better set of five consecutive songs in this whole book? Side 2 is lighter and freer, and a bit more joyful, but only the slightest of comedowns.

A true classic

One of my all-time favorites. Every song on this album is amazing. Easily can listen to this entire album on repeat.

Perfect album, even if he is not

I love his political views and cheery disposition. I sure wish I felt the same about his music. That's called sarcasm. Props for the final two songs appearing in The Royal Tanenbauns and The Sopranos, respectively. Whichever song on this album is playing when you first make out with a woman tells you all you need to know about her.

Gorgeous album, very enjoyable and relaxing listen. Great story telling and instrumentation. One of those albums that you forget how good it is.

10/10 super fun

Ok. A no brainer. An absolute masterpiece. A run of recordings from 1968 to 1972 where he was channeling the astral plane. His voice like a sultry saxophone. I always enjoy going back to period of his oeuvre. Spin it up. You'll agree.

This album got played to death when I was a kid-- and it sounds pretty wilted to me today. I was not happy with his recent forays as described on a recent Reddit thread, "Van Morrison released his new album 'Latest Record Project' and backlash immediately followed. The album included anti-lockdown and antisemitic lyrics. In the song 'Where Have All The Rebels Gone?' he sings about how rockstars should appose the coronavirus lockdowns. In 'They Own The Media' there are lyrics relating to conspiracy theories of Jews secretly running the media(Jews aren't specifically mentioned but it is pretty clear what he's implying)." This is probably the last time I'll intentionally give one of his albums airplay. What a d**k.

Ahh yes. the original Ray LaMontagne. A guilty pleasure for sure, but those sweet VM pipes are like a gentle caress in the twilight of a fall meadow that I just cannot deny.

The cover looks like a meme. "Past Van Morrison tries to make sense of future Van's ramblings" Annoyingly, considering how much of a massive bell end the guy is, this is absolutely fantastic. "Throughout my career I have always preferred to let my music speak for me" he said in 2015. You what mate? Tell the last couple of years you. Anyway. Yeah, great record. The horns! The soul! The, erm, the clavinet! It's just great.

Great!

Loved it!

Excellent

This was the right music for a funeral on a rainy day. Beautiful, soulful stuff.

Absolute classic and relaxed yet catchy so a must listen to every time it happens to be brought up

This is a great album, start to finish.

SO many classics on this record. Excellent

I have mixed feelings about putting 4 stars vs 5 stars. I’m not a huge Van Morrison fan. However, this album is so great to listen to. The songs are just so classic and so well known. Overall just a great album to put on and feel good listening to it.

It was a great album. I already knew a few of the songs, but there were some I didn’t know and I really enjoyed them.

Rhythm and blues, rock de Van Morrison. Vinilo.

Excellent album He’s a completely bellend of a human

I’m in looooooove. Fantastic album…too bad Van Morrison’s a dirtbag. Listened during a road trip both ways, just a great album, my first 5.

The first stone cold classic album I have reviewed to date. Every song is superb, to listen to, to dance to, to reflect on. Pure joy

Absolute banger

I prefer this to Astral Weeks, controversial I know.

Brilliant album, and so different. Third five star album.

4.6 - As a single, “Moondance” can sound jarring to me - the vocals sound vomited at times, the horn fills kind of cheesy, the flute parts sort of student jazz band-y. But somehow within the context of the album it fits perfectly. Uncannily, this record feels both tightly composed and loosely structured. As an overall listening experience, there’s impeccable flow. Individually, the songs almost feel improvised. I like everything on here and I love “Into the Mystic” and “Glad Tidings.”

A surprisingly lovely album! Each song is so unique with a relaxing yet upbeat sound.

This is tough to decide. On the one hand, it opens with a bunch of bangers so strong I felt a 5 was inevitable. But there end was a little weaker (though not without bangers of its own). The last few songs were still good, but in comparison with the opening they ironically feel not as good. So, can a few 3.5 songs at the end bring this from a 5? Or does the opening barrage of It Stoned Me, Moondance, Crazy Love, Caravan, Into The Music make this a clear 5, damn what follows? Gonna think about it.

Moondance is about as perfect a rock album as you will ever hear. It's probably the album I would first recommend to anyone who is new to Morrison's music. The songs are warm, soulful, intimate and endlessly catchy, a perfect summer day in musical form. This is an album built for repeat listenings, full of songs that will stay with you for a long time. I don't have a bad thing to say about it. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Into the Mystic, Everyone, Moondance, Caravan, Brand New Day, And It Stoned Me, These Dreams of You, Glad Tidings, Come Running, Crazy Love

The memories with chloe that’ll be associated with this album already give it a 5 but it’s also a great album and van Morrison is awesome

Upbeat, horn-driven soul and mellifluous folk-jazz merge to create an entirely original, wholly refreshing platform on which Van Morrison’s catchy poetics of nature, spiritual redemption, and self-affirmation are able to foster a listening experience that is cleansing, cathartic, and absolving. Standout Tracks: And It Stoned Me, Moondance, Caravan, Into the Mystic, Glad Tidings

Listened to on 5/8/22 5/5 Favorite song: moondance I was not expecting to like this album but it was absolutely phenomenal. The instrumentation and lyrics were beautiful and soothing and so easy to listen to. I would listen to this album again and again and again

I enjoyed several songs on this album and it was super pleasant to listen to! I really liked Crazy Love, Caravan, and It Stoned Me.

Really enjoyed this album and the vibes it gives. There was not one song that I didn't like.

One of my favorite albums. Great voice, complex and varied songs. Original. Truly a great work of art. Timeless.

A true classic.. top band behind our man Van, creating a warm and vibrant atmosphere. And then there is Van at his best delivering his songs with true passion

Love it.

Wonderful

You’d be hard pressed to find a chiller album than this one

Fuck yeah! This is the shit I signed up for. I ended up listening to Van Morrison all day.

Rhythm and blues, rock de Van Morrison. Vinilo.

Classy. Best lazy summer afternoon album.

NOICE

At this moment of his career, Van Morrison could do nothing wrong. Moondance is only one of numerous peeks. Take the time to savour it.

I remember having a conversation with some work colleagues about 20 years ago, talking about albums that had no holes cover to cover. I'm sure I said something like Weezer's Blue album but someone said Moondance to which I kind of scoffed at. Well, it's taken me 20 years to finally put his claim to the test. I think side two dipped a bit compared to side one but it's still a beautiful album. The songs are poetry put to music. A really deft fusion of rock and jazz - impossible to separate one from the other - with his voice that carries the whole way.

I grew up with this album so it's hard for me to be objective, but I really can't fault it. I'm usually a big lyrics person, but for me it's the music that really stands out on this album. Every layer has its place, and they all come together to build something gorgeous. Easy 5/5 stars

Un album classique rien à dire de plus. Un chef d'oeuvre

I am having a bad day and I really needed this. 4.5

Really great casual listening

Excelente

Astral awesome is the gold standard of Van Morrison albums but make no mistake that Moondance is a fabulous album. It has touches of Astral Weeks jazzy feel but is much more pop music accessible. Ultimately it lacks the wow factor of AW. Still an easy 5 🌟 rating from me.

This felt like a guilty pleasure, without any of the guilt. Into the Mystic and Crazy Love are placeless and timeless. I can't imagine anyone would ever listen and not love those songs. I did find myself enjoying Brand New Way (that first note on the piano) in a different spirit, now than I'm older. It's hard to separate this album from memories of my last years in college and first years in Chicago. A transition-time album that reminds me about the hope in heartbreak. An absolute non-guilty pleasure.

Despite Van being a dick, I love this album soooo much! I have so many lovely memories attached to this album, especially the song ‘Into the Mystic.’

It's van!

Super unique voice, this would be a perfect record to put on when it’s a rainy evening. I wish more contemporary artists made albums like this.

Memories and tears! Recommended! 👍

Damn I loved this. I knew so little about Van Morrison besides the title track of this album. Definitely an album I'm glad I heard.

Really love this album

Super bon album. Agréablement surpris.

Welcome familiarity with some hidden gems to be discovered. Great easy listening

caravan

What a great album for me to start with. My favourite Van Morrison album. Side One, especially, is just one fantastic song after another.

Loved it. But if a shame VMs personality and later work dominates so much now. What a voice and songwriter. The title track is an obvious classic, as is Into the Mystic, but there’s not a bad song on this.

Just incredible

Absolutely stellar. The first half is exceptionally strong... passionate and catchy. Though it peters off a little bit, Van Morrison delivers an amazing album.

Van Morrison's voice is so recognizable and so powerful. His politics and issues regarding the pandemic and masks have soured me on him, but his music is excellent. I know a few songs off this record, and I love listening to them. And it Stoned Me - Great mood set here. Poetic and love the horn section and the use of piano. Timeless song. Moondance is a masterwork. Jazz, soul, rhythm, blues, it's all there. Romantic, jazzy, and all around a great song. Bass line is killer. Crazy Love - The rhythm feels like And it Stoned Me, but then it gets to that familiar hook, and it becomes its own thing. Much softer vocal than usual. And the backup singers move it to more pop than jazz. Beauty of a song. Caravan - Back to the Van sound you're used to. Makes me think of Elton John. Great mix of instruments, vocals, and a chill beat. And a nice message about togetherness. Into the Mystic - One of my all time faves by Van Morrison. I put it above Brown Eyed Girl. It's beautiful, poetic, and a great groove. This, Tupelo Honey, and Moondance are a slow jam trifecta! Also, I never heard that "foghorn" instrument before. It's layered in there. Crazy! Come Running - Horns remind me of Blues Brothers intro music. Toe tapper. These Dreams of You - Feels like a 50s bopper. Another easy listening song for sure. Brand New Day - Song of hope for sure.

Wonderful.

A regular listen ...

Love this album

Van The Mothafuckin Man

Everyone, everyone, everyone

Great album

I enjoyed this album by Van Morrison. The songs are great and of consistent quality. His vocal performance is amazing.

Amazing album. Fantastic hits ("Moondance" and "Into The Mystic"), fantastic lesser known tracks ("And It Stoned Me" and "Glad Tidings"). Not much variety, but the consistency is welcome.

#1 all timer

Into the Mystic is so good. One of my favorite albums. Love his lyrics.

A gorgeous album that doesn’t put a foot wrong. A classic

מגניב, לא יצא לי לשמוע משהו כזה ממש שאהבתי, אשמע שוב

This has always been one of my top ten albums, and it still is. Disappointed to learn that he is a total douche, but the music and lyrics are both top notch.

Absolutely amazing. Chill but catchy at the same time. Into the Mystic is a true banger but first time hearing the full album front to back

A gorgeous album that doesn’t put a foot wrong. A classic

Haha I dont need to listen to this bad boy again One of my favourite albums of all time! A true wonder!

I really liked this one. I've always thought there was something special about the title track. Its rhythm bounces around and he makes it seem very natural for the vocals to start and stop in unnatural places.  The keyboards are quite really good too. Just a quick comment on the title song but there are so many more positive things about the album.

A new(old?) favorite. Lots of songs I recognized but didn’t realize were from the same album. Folk-rock feel, less polished in a good way

Sonics: 9 Music: 9 Feel: amazing album, classic songs and a warm wunderful feeling through the whole album,masterpiece!

I just always really enjoy this album lol

Really solid album

This is an album of my childhood that therefore deserves a 5 because I am painfully nostalgic. That aside, this album is a feel good, easy bluesy, walking on a sunny day, driving happily through the countryside vibe I adore. So yeah, still a 5 for me.

Truly a masterpiece. Brilliant album.

h

Muito gostoso de ouvir

Fav Van Morrison album I reckon!

Laid back, jazzy vibes. Zonnige chill avond?

70s feels nostalgic like music my family would listen to

Loved this album. Van Morrison at his best.

Classic. Fantastic album start to finish

it's no Astral Weeks, but it's good.

Killer songs but the sax solos suuuuck!

Excellent! Recognised quite a few tracks including the title track. He looks so young here. Kind of jazzy in places, bluesy, really very good indeed.

Love it. Totally unexpected. One track didn't quite work for me ("Everyone") but otherwise I was really into it.

Great album!! A soulful treat! #albumsky #musicsky ****

album bem fluido e gostoso de ouvir, as musicas conversam entre si. vocais e instrumentais impecaveis. gostaria que fossa mais versatil maybe. 4/5

Schöne ruhige Musik, gefällt mir

Rootsy and fun

Great album. Still wondering why I didn’t own this on vinyl

Album starts off with 5 straight awesome songs and then the deep tracks just don't hit nearly as hard. His vocals are amazing throughout, and the blend of R&B, soul, and jazz still feel fresh even if the songs are inconsistent.

He may be grumpy old sod, but this is a great album. ‘And it stoned me’ is a great introduction, but the mellow laid back jazz of ‘Moondance’ just hits differently. This standard is maintained by ‘Crazy love’ and ‘Caravan’. ‘Into the mystic’ conjures up American soul drifting down the highway on a warm sunny day. The rest of the album doesn’t quite manage to hit the same heights but is still relatively strong

250226 16:57 4

Historic and momentous album. Captures such a sound in time. Not all tracks are memorable earworms but all hold some kind of sonic interest and all are true vibes.

I really liked this

An album I know well as it was played a lot round the house as I was growing up. A Sunday ‘dinner lunch’ album. It’s warm and familiar and I like it. Putting on my analyst hat, this seems to blend an interesting mixture of jazz, folk, soul, and country - at least that’s what my ears detect. I wouldn’t listen to it everyday but it’s pleasant.

Van Morrison I hate you… But your music

love it, groovy as hell and the vocals are too damn good

summer nights as an album

Very much enjoyed, laid back, chill, good vibes and well made music

Very chill

i didn't enjoy the past album recommendations but this album in particular impressed me, and i'm not into country music but this one is wonderfully arranged and exceeded past my expectations (to be fair it wasn't high). I like moondance, it's a fun song.

Heerlijk album. Klassieker. Relaxed. Jazzy die ik lekker vind. Achterover zitten, ogen dicht en genieten

Reminds me of the 70's and a much simpler life.

Gah. I've no love left for the man, but this is musical comfort food.

I had previously only heard Astral Weeks, which I love, but this is just as good! Wow. Just a tad bit front loaded, the A side is really perfect. 8/10

A relaxing chill listen.

I did really like this I would add some of these to my playlist definitely, so I’m gonna give it a 4/5 because I liked listening to it and it’s a good album

7/10

spectacular. I've always been biased against van morrison because my dad liked his music but I think he was actually just listening to my mom's cds and has no actual music taste whatsoever

Really great. 3.5/5

Some nice Yusuf/Cat Stevens vibes, kind of crazy that they both existed around the same time. Nice voice, great songwriting, chill time.

it was a mix of country and pop and i enjoyed it a lot, i would listen to it again

Top vraiment le mec est top

Really good album. I feel like I’m so close to giving this five stars, but there’s just something missing that I can’t quite put my finger on. Maybe it’s the lyricism or something, but I feel like this one maybe will require a few more lessons for me to really get it. The lyricism sometimes was a little on the nose given the jazz and more experimental instrumentation

Reminds me of fishing with my grandpa, great album through and through. Though moon dance itself is probably my least favorite on the record.

Some classic stuff here, not the big Van Morrison fan, but this album is fine enough ⭐⭐⭐⭐

super fun folk

It’s a classic and holds up

Decent 4

Some nice songs

Good album, just solid all the way through. Enjoyed this quite a bit, although I don't know that I'll have any takeaways I'd definitely listen again.

I was previously familiar with this album. It's a very good one, definitely one of Van Morrison's best. This album has many hits - the title song, And It Stoned Me, Into The Mystic, etc. This album has a more jazzy and focused sound than Astral Weeks which is also good. I would listen again for sure.

Way more enjoyable than Astral Weeks

Van the man!

Not bad! Easy to listen to and can vibe with it! Seems like I quite like the Jazz style music.

This is a classic. However, for some reason, I can't fully "connect" with this album (I don't love Morrison's voice). I've probably listened to Moondance or Caravan too many times. Actually, more than those, I especially enjoyed "And it Stoned Me" or "Into the Mystic". So, overall, a solid 4 star album for me.

I do like that this exists as a kind of reaction to Astral Weeks being a bit of a failure at the time - both are excellent for diametrically opposing reasons. It's probably another one that feels like wallpaper now, it's just been ever present for so long. But its undeniably a classic. Prefer Astral Weeks though!

A pleasant listen. Bonus star for the Moondance track which is just beautiful.

I have to give this a 4 only because it's not quite at the same level as "Astral Weeks."

Bunch of classics. Really good.

Listened last week, think I like it

👌🏼⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

8.5/10

3.7/5 Favorite Song: Moondance

Album #154 Van Morrison: Moondance It was only three days ago that I received Van Morrison’s “Astral Weeks” album, which, of course, has received an incredible reputation amongst critics and die-hard fans, and one that I think is deserved. However, as I noted then, I do prefer Moondance; an opinion which would have you lynched amongst certain Van Morrison fan circles, despite being one that I think most people who have heard both hold. Though I do enjoy both greatly, and find Astral Weeks to be the more unique listen, I can’t help but succumb to the folk rock perfection that is this collection of songs. I think the songs on Moondance feel more like fully fledged songs, which to some is a bonus, and others a flaw; but what I know for myself is that it helps keep them stuck in my head longer. I think Into the Mystic is Van Morrison’s crowning achievement, and there really isn’t a flaw in any of the first five tracks. The last five tracks also have just as much to enjoy within them, though they might not be as immediately wonderful as the first half. Overall, though it might not be the spiritual journey of Astral Weeks, it certainly is a good time. Best Songs: Into the Mystic, Moondance, And It Stoned Me Worst Song: Everyone Score out of 10: 9.5

The guy’s a complete twat, so it pains me to report that this is still a pretty great album.

I enjoyed this album way more than I expected to. Very chill, very laid back, and rather soulful. The saxophone solo playing leaves a bit to be desired, but it’s used sparingly, so it’s not too much of a distraction. Overall, a rather enjoyable listen. I will definitely listen to this again.

Good album, 70s sound all over the place, not really my niche but good to hear.

Ensimmäistä kertaa perehdyin Van Morrisonin musiikkiin. Olinhan minä tietysti kuullut Brown Eyed Girlin, mutta sitä biisiä ei tältä levyltä löydy. Moondance oli oikein hyvä kokonaisuus, jonka pariin tulee varmasti joskus palattua.

Honestly, this guy’s pretty good. Gotta listen again with my proper headphone setup

Moondance is beautiful and I enjoyed the entire album

this album is the right amount of van morrison to me both in quantity and degree

This is actual lovely

I really enjoyed this. Very nice uplifting Irish soul.

Great album. Great voice, jazzy instrumentation.

Classic. Nostalgic.

Big vibe. I'd listen to more Van Morrison for sure.

A lot of the songs sounds very similar, but it's a good formula so why change it? Moondance was by far the standout song.

Sweet album. The deluxe reissue is a bit overkill but interesting.

actually very important thank you

The hits are still super pretty. I don’t love everything. But the good is great. And this band is outstanding.

great for warm summer evenings

Honestly pretty good

Mycket bra skiva, älskar det här soundet. Kommer återvända till den här. Klassisk 60-/70-tal.

His voice is very pretty, I very much enjoyed the album. 4/5

Banger after banger. This is great chilling music.

Previously known. A lot of good songs on here.

this reminds me of my dad for some reason:)

Opiniones sobre la marcha... 1 "Moondance" Van Morrison: "And It Stoned Me" Es alegre, me da vibra positivas con la buena banda de fondo, muy destacados los momentos de silencio y luego los acordes de guitarra. Buen final. "Moondance" Tiene un inicio genial, algo mucho mas nocturno, de bar entre estrellas de ciudad. Se destaca una especie de flauta en el L que va como llevando el dialogo de la cancion. Siempre destacado el piano. Otro gran final. "Crazy Love" Inicia super dulce, introduce un coro de voces sencillo, un mood super somnoliento, como si una persona estuviera mirando el techo en su melancolia amorosa. Sencilla. "Caravan" Suena a lo que me imagino que suena un viaje por un desierto de Estados Unidos, una gran cancion de viaje sin ningun tipo de duda. Unos bajos destacados. Fan del final en fade, muy acorde a la cancion. "Into the Mystic" Suena a picnic, un dia realmente verde y disfrutable, caminar y mirar el Sol, una liberacion hermosa de energia, la pandereta en R es clave de esa energia, junto a las notas sutiles del piano. "Come Running" Suena a baile de tabernita, muy festivo, como dia especial para todos. "These Dreamos of You' Recuerda a trabajo, repetir el patron de manera continuada. A su vez le veo los colores que el album trata de insporar, como una madera oscura. Destacado solo de saxofon, un lindo refresco para la apretada cancion. Bella cancion, album muy escuchable en grupo a esta altura, muy familiar. "Brand New Day" Parece una bocanada de aire de la anterior cancion, algo que devuelve el aliento lentamente, como si fuera una brisa continua, algo frio pero que abraza para reforzar la energia. El titulo toma el sentimiento de la cancion totalmente. Esto es algo que se va repitiendo en cada cancion, veo los titulos muy bien asignados en el album. "Everyone" Tiene el inicio mas energetico del album. Suena a canto de todos, muy de festival, algo chico pero lleno de personas distintas con misma paleta de colores, algo muy social. Otra cancion con un titulo perfecto. "Glad Tidings" Gran inicio, la energia de una conversacion fugaz, muy interesantes sentimientos de descubrimiento. Una energia positiva que emana de los tarareos y el saxofon. Grandes coros sencillos. Gran descubrimiento definitivamente, esto va a ser escuchado muchas veces en reuniones, es musica realmente refrescante y que tiene espacio en muchos contextos sociales. Gran escucha. Mi track preferido fue "Brand New Day". Muy buena pagina, la voy a escuchar diariamente. 26/4/26

4/5 Incredible opening track, very much a front loaded album that runs out of gas towards the back half. I really enjoy the blend of genres on this album as well. With my complete lack of knowledge of Van Morrison & this album going in, I was searching for a way to label what sort of artist Morrison was. But it was a great surprise to work through the tracklist, and just sort of drop that idea and just let the album be. Favorite Track: And It Stoned Me