Moondance

Overall: 6/10 Vocals: 3 Instruments/Melody/Sound: 6 Lyrics: 4 Likely to listen to it again: 5 Alright, reminds me of a dads country music, old soul sort of

Calm easy rock vibes.

Always liked him but never a huge fan. I had no idea all of these hits came off the same album.

Ballsack, I hear you!

What an album, great listening experience all the way through, another perfect length that doesn’t overstay its welcome, songs were really catchy and I wanted to keep listening to them. A new favourite that will be played quite often

Beautiful beautiful. You know I hate to have art vs the artist conversations because I think it’s such a huge gray area that depends on context…but in this case I think it’s so clear that fame and money corrupt the delicate human thing that lives inside of poets like Morrison. To become some antivax reactionary freak making bad music because he spent too much time on a pedestal. Incredibly sad that getting the adoration he deserved led him to this. Anyway great album no skips all bangers.

Overall Rating - 4.10/5 (8.20/10). To quote the closing credit song from Cowboy Bebop, this is The Real Folk Blues.

Classic. I like the Moondance track in his album.

Great album. Lots of great tunes

I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a VM album before and it was kind of what I was expecting.

Fairly middle of the road stuff that fails to grab me. I found it a pleasant listen at times and technically I guess it is a good album.

This and his early body of work has undeniably had a big influence on many subsequent artists. For example, the worst honky tonk filler tracks on early 70s Rolling Stones albums, and the almighty decades long blight on pub band music that Brown Eyed Girl had (and makes me want to run a mile the moment I hear it). He has single handled created the most tedious kind of brassed up blues rock that saps your soul. Objectively it’s probably 2*, but subjectively given the longevity of its public exposure and therefore personal torture it’s a rock bottom mark from me.

Unfortunately this just didn't hit like astrel weeks at all. While I still enjoyed this I am quite disappointed

This is so boring. Just an absolute slog to get through. 1/5 stars.

He is a legend. The album is very good. It's just not for me 3.5/5

Very pleasant - had no idea Crazy Love was his! Gorgeous.

As much as Van is a terrible human being, there are undeniably good songs on here, and you can see why this is so influential, but it just didn't tip over into 'Amazing' for me. Also, some later songs are clearly an attempt to do 'Brown Eyed Girl' with minimal changes. Right on the 3/4 borderline, just sneaks into 4.

Beautiful guitar and vocals. Some nice jazzy rock tunes and solid album overall

Pretty good, liked the jazz aspects a lot and Can has a great voice, very smooth and easy listening. Favorite Song(s): Moondance, Caravan

Didn’t know he was Irish! And actually never listened to a full album of his. Let’s see… I had never connected the song of ‘Moondance’ with VM! Knew its sound but didn’t know its name or its his 😱 Getting a much better idea of him from this and maybe had a slightly inaccurate picture (basically brown eyed girl). Good album, good groove, good songwriter, good heart but maybe got the gist half way through (3.5)

Honestly…..David Gray’s cover versions are better than these originals.

Pretty fun. Need to listen to it more. 7.5/10

Remarkable cross-genre variety. Is it pop, soul, jazz? Yes.

So having never listened to a Van Morrison album, I realized I confused him with Jim Morrison....so this album was not what I was expecting. I was expecting more rock and less bluesy folk rock. Van Morrison is also still alive. Not sure why i'm surprised by that. That said it's a great album and I love the jazz elements...and it's the early 70's so you had to throw in some yazz flute. I like the folksy LSD trip sound of Everyone. Just sounds like it would go with a crazy acid trip with rainbows and singing smiley trees and bunny rabbits as you're frolicking down a golden brick sidewalk. Like the jazzy-ness of Moondance. There are several songs on here that would be great "swan songs" like Caravan, Brand New Day, Glad Tidings. This would be a good album to listen to as you die.

Wow! I did not expect to like this as much as I do. I'd always thought of Van as a simple singer-songwriter with an interesting voice, but it never quite grabbed me. Then I listened to this and I already know and like about 8 of the 10! I'd heard them as singles and I people seem to love him, but I just never put it together that he was all of these. What a great listen. A bunch of them are already on playlists and I'll be listening to this again. (Am right now!) I love the horns and the piano throughout. Much better than just a guy and a guitar. First half is a bit better than the latter half, but all in all quite listenable. I'm going for a 5 on this. Excellent!

Soulful

Very good, took a bit for me to warm up To it, some of the songs I didn’t find that interesting but middle of the album things were poppin.

Not really for me

Very good album invoking a feeling of coziness and warmth during a rainy nighttime car drive

Love so.smooth

3.5 - Good

I quite enjoyed this. I like his voice and his vibe.

magnificent

Really Chill and cool

I just love the sound of VM's voice. I could listen for days.

A nice enough listen. The title track is pretty classic and while there's lots of talent on display it didn't speak to me enough that I'd go deep in the Van Morrison back catalogue.

Soul and RnB meets soft rock, stolen and rebranded for blander palates. It's workman-like, which is to say it sounds polished but unremarkable. Oof.

Listened to this album in one go and felt like every song contributed something new to the listening experience. They excel at being actively heard as well as passively fill the background. Many strong tracks in themselves and definitely a few i will add to my playlists.

I didn't think I knew any of this album, but then Moondance came on and I was like "oh wait I totally know this song it kicks ass". Nothing else on the album hits those highs, but it's a pleasant listen anyway. He's a good singer, the album is well produced, no complaints.

Great album with a lot of soul. Favorite track: Moondance

Perfectly pleasant jazz folk that I will never listen to again

I was going to give this album a higher rating after the first listen because I found it so immediately charming and listenable, but I realized after a second listen that after the first two tracks, nothing else really stands out as particularly noteworthy. It all started to blur into each other. A nice album to just stick on and chill out to, though. Favourite tracks: And It Stoned Me, Moondance,

Mediocre tbh, not my style at all

Van the Man. Watch The Last Waltz.

Bit boring, did not like his voice, good ideas but could have been better

It’s an uneven album for sure but the first side is so very good I will give it full marks. Naysayers need to turn up their radios.

What an album

Van the man

What a great album.

No question about it, it’s a classic. 5/5

Fantastic album and great sound!

It was always going to be a challenge for me to review a Van Morrison record. So much overexposure to his hits - may I never hear Brown Eyed Girl again - and then his bizarro personality. On the latter, I have been able to separate personality from music with others (eg, Michael Jackson) so I think I can do it here. Anyhow, overall the album has a nice vibe. The band is loose and the arrangements have a Memphis-y R&B feel. The songs have a certain sameness and his singing becomes tedious over the course of the album. And It Stoned Me is the song I like best despite the use of the word jellyroll in the lyrics which I find jarring regardless of Van's intent.

My least fave of this amazing run. 4.5

Not much of a fan...it's a bit dorky for me...but he does have a distinctive sound, even if it is repetitive.

Heck, I can't rate this. It's always been there, and I guess it's good for what it is, but it does sound like one long song.

Not particularly my cup of tea. Pretty easy listening though, would be ok to have on in the background.

it's alright. Some parts of the singing is nice, but the voice and repetition just ain't it for me.

I like folk music so this was a better listen for me that some of the other albums on this list. That said, something about this doesn't quite resonate with me the same way others in this genre do.

longest 38 minutes of my life

I have lived in England for two thirds of my total time on Earth – and never bloody once have I pointed out a Morrison’s van while singing “Crazy Love”. Since it’s unlikely I’ll be back there anytime soon and highly likely I forget about this whole thing soon (you’d hope so), I must mourn for the moments of hilarity missed. Van Morrison, at least here, feels more in the moment than that. In fact, it feels like he takes the moment very seriously indeed. There’s a bright phenomenology about the tracks, an insight that feels critically interrogative – like Derek and the Dominos scoring a John Berger documentary. Moondance is a brilliant pop record. The midwife of soft rock, as someone put it – it makes a strange sort of sense that you can draw a straight line between this album and the sight of infidelity on the kisscam at a Coldplay concert. (PG horniness and soft rock, name a more iconic duo.) “Moondance”, “Crazy Love” and “Caravan” is a splendid run, but there’s good to be found in all corners. Superb playing, serious song craft and a stack of sophisticated pop soul.

Unfuckingcanny, I had the song moondance by Van Morrison randomly in my head today. Registered for this site, had Stephen Stills as the first option - lost the login and registered again and this came up. Don't actually know this album beyond headline song. Will update once listened to.

Classic!

I don't remeber

For some reason, not too offensive? I would never ever choose to listen to this though.

I lot of songs on here I knew without knowing. I love the vibe of the album and the songwriting.

Forgettableeee

Не путать с Джимом морисоном

Fun.

Not too shabby

This is really good music to like cook dinner to I enjoyed it but wouldn't go out of my way to listen to it again.

Surprising no one, I really like this album! It's loungy, jazzy, crooning with a lot of saxophone, what's not to like? Is it cheesy as hell? You bet! But the band just sounds like they're having a great time and Morrison's voice is lovely. This album is the sonic personification of a mid-town jazz club in the 70s, I'd go to that club! I'm not crazy about the cover, it's fine but seems like an afterthought, that's a 2/5

10/10 if I could. Amazing album!

Fun but not ethereal like Astral Weeks.

Всякий фолк с кантри и соулом. Впечатление хорошее.

This out and changed my opinion of Van Morrison entirely. The title track and Crazy Love are huge stand outs for me. Solid record, I now understand why every hippie friend I've ever had tried to get me to listen to this.

Conciso y bien trabajado , el estilo y la manera que se trabaja el album hace que se pueda disfrutar de cada tocada de guitarra y demas elemenetos

Vesela sm, da je dons neki poznanega in ne predolgega, ker sm in a funk. Poznam nekaj komadov, nism še albuma poslušala - album Astral Weeks mi je bolj znan. Všečen začetek ("And It Stoned Me"). A je "Moondance" njegov najbl znan komad? (Lol, ne, pozabila na "Brown Eyed Girl".) Ful je jazzy. "Caravan" je nov zame & I love it! U, sledi mu pa en, k mi je ljub že nekaj let, čudovit "Into the Mystic". Maš komade, k ti vzbudijo določena čustva, pa ne štekaš zakaj - zame je ta en takih. Ok, "Come Running" mi je tud nov & kul. Zakaj nism že prej tega albuma poslušala? Mislm, sj sm vedla, da mi bo všeč, še preden sm začela.

Great music, interesting lyrics. I was hooked from the first song. Really, it goes too fast.... life and this album.

My previous Van Morrison review (for a double album): "I was never a big Van Morrison fan. I've loved some of his songs and I know his importance in the history of popular music, but I just never got into him. Wasn't thrilled to see that I will be listening to 90 minutes of him today, but I will try to go in with an open mind... About halfway through: I think getting old has raised my Van Morrison tolerance. This is OK." Moondance is the Van Morrison album I would have most expected to see in this project. Actually no, that's probably Astral Weeks. But this was very popular with girls in college. I dated a girl who was very fond of the non-word "fantabulous" - that did not help me enjoy this album today. But recognizing "Everyone" from the end of Royal Tenenbaums DID help me enjoy it.

3.5 Is there a more underrated run of songs than tracks 1-5 on this album? I love Van Morrison’s warm, soulful voice and the folky/soul rock music that goes with it. I’m also a sucker for pianos and horns, which are pretty abundant here. It’s a little top heavy, as I start to lose interest deeper into the album.

2.5 probably? Sometimes his voice is eh. In general it's a good time and not too long. Maybe 3 on a good day?

Chillig, gut

interesting voice. not the style i like. but theres a singer/songwriting vibe here. 3/5

Bof!

Reminds me of childhood.

Astonishing stuff. How a wee, grumpy Ulsterman can channel so much feeling, so much soul. A creative spirit that gives hope to the rest of us. And what a voice!

I'm surprised I'm not wanting to rank this higher. It is good sounding but it feels a bit dry. Maybe I just know it too well so it blends into a background when it doesn't deserve to. Into the Mystic is the best on the album.

I need to think about the vocals here. The compositions are good, his cadence works but his voice just kind of falls flat for me. It's like he has tiny lungs or something. Some great songs.

Wait a second... none of these songs are "Brown Eyed Girl".

good

3.50-3.75 only two to three songs I really enjoyed on here Title song carries it, along with some high energy sections

The doors albums were better

Gotta respect the classics

I'm sticking to my policy of separating art and artist. Morrison is now (and may have always been, I dunno) a conspiracy theorist, anti-vax shithead, but we're bracketing that. I am as a general rule not disposed to folk, or jazz, or jazzy folk. However, this one hits different. Some of it may be that I first listened to this during my formative years and was struck by the greatness of so many of the tracks then. Perhaps it's just a very, very great exemplar of the form. Hard to say, but it still resonates. It drags a little in the back third, but that's about the only complaint.

Van Morrison is a bit of a moody character but no doubting that this is one of a number of classic albums he made early on once he went solo

Heard of van morrison, never listened to an album. First song is fine, not life changing. More poppy than what I was expecting. As I listen more I’m liking more. Have heard moon dance, banger. Immediate add to the playlist. The jazz fusion in both of the first 2 songs is really cool. Good songwriting too. Songwriting is good on crazy love, song itself is fine. Too soft rock ish for my taste. Chorus is catchy not much more to it. Caravan is better but still not life changing I’d say. Fun song/chorus. Great singing voice. I like into the mystic, production is really good. Songwriting too. Sax solo at the end is really good too. Come running is an interesting change of pace. Fine song. I like these dreams of you better, but still not life changing. Another cool sax solo. I like brand new day, catchy not much more to it. I like the background vocals a lot. Everyone is a fun song, cool background track. Glad tiding is a good song, feel like I’ve heard it before but I have. Great way to end the album, wish more songs were like that one. Ultimately the album was fine, probably won’t ever listen to again. 2.5 stars

Zzzzzzz Nota: 2.4

A classic - great brass sound.

Great tunes and lyrics, thx !

I understand why people like Van Morrison, he's obviously a talented guy. His music has just never clicked for me at all, I have tried. I did like this album more than the double live album I got a while ago, It's Too Late to Stop Now, but I just, nope.

legendealbum

Absolute classics.

Impeccably played jazzy folk, but it lacks soul. Musically this album sounds meticulous, with horns and pianos coming in at just the right places. It's almost so perfect as to feel stuffy. The title track has a jazzy interlude that's a joy to listen to, but it's the only moment on the album where it unbuttons and lets loose. Some of the tracks have moments that make them stand out - the "Radio!" bit on Caravan and the la-la-las on the closer - but even those moments feel restrained. Van's a great singer but he rarely puts a lot of emotion behind his voice. It's kind of odd that this came after the free flowing Astral Weeks, as it feels like a trial run for that album's adventurousness. "Into the Mystic" is a good example of a song that could use the Astral Weeks treatment; it has a good melody but feels too short and straightforward to make use of it.

This one has been in my top 5 albums for at least 20 years. Van Morrison is so slept on it is insane! This is his best single album in my opinion.

3.5

El azar ha hecho que el programa me sugiera dos días seguidos a Van Morrison. Pues bueno, bienvenido sea este álbum, el más luminoso, jovial, entretenido de todos los clásicos de su primera época. Siendo el que viene después de “Astral Weeks”, pocos se esperaban el giro hacia un rock desinhibido, con las influencias del blues y del jazz más evidentes que nunca, donde no sobra un solo tema y todo tiene una coherencia y una vitalidad que difícilmente veremos en el resto de su discografía futura. Mi álbum preferido de Van de los 70, junto a “A Period Of Transition”. Destacar un solo tema es imposible, así que os dejo con uno de los menos conocidos.

Maybe sometime I’ll get into Van Morrison but I’m pushing 50 and it hasn’t happened yet. Just can’t stand this shit.

the jazzy parts are excellent, the folky parts a bit repetitive for my taste

My favorite album of his. Side vibe is awesome.

I always thought I didn't really like Van Morrison, but the more I listen to him the more I realise I wwas completely wrong.

Classic.

Lots of what would turn out to be hits. Very listenable album, even for me who is not the hugest fan of VM's voice. Impact probably 5/10. Genre impact 6/10.

Golden oldies, nice

Beautiful songwriting and very pretty instrumentation

Well, it's a marvelous night for a moondance Thetan levels reaching all time highs Vaxxing should be a capital offense 'Neath the chemtrails crisscrossed skies

quite nice

oooooooh fuck yeah. edit: this was an awesome album. back-to-bac bangers. first time listening to it start to finish. avn morrison is great.

So good the vibe and all and its like the best autumn album its a solid 7/10 ‘These dreams of you’ is my top song from it I loved it

No es que me guste Van Morrison, me gustan canciones sueltas. Crazy Love es de las que siempre que la oigo me gusta. El resto, sin ser de ninguna manera malas, no me enganchan, pero entiendo que a quien le guste Van Morrison, este disco les hará disfrutar.

Very pretty album I like his voice, it somehow reminds me of some kinda or r&b or soul stuff in a way, a lot of color Cameron Winters vocal delivery seems to be inspired by this alot on Geese stuff (which I love listening to in recent time) I'll be back for this one for sure, Moondance is so fucking good

Perfect album for most any occasion. Sexy & brooding. Great background music filled with under appreciated lyrics that sneak up on you.

I’m not a big fan of Van the Man. But I must admit, Moondance is a really good album. One of those ones you can put on & just chill out to.

Alright

Think I'm a big Van Morrison fan

Never really got into Van Morrison before. I’ve listened to some Stones now and then, and I can kind of see the comparison. But the differences stand out, this record clearly leans toward soul and jazz, while the Stones are grounded in blues grit. “Moondance” was a standout, along with a few other swinging tracks that caught my ear. The rest, though, drifted into pleasant background noise — I listened to it twice, but it didn’t demand my attention. It’s the kind of album I’d want playing if I were a chef on a cruise ship, weeks in the same galley, steady rhythm of work, something smooth to groove to while no one complains. Now I'm not a chef in on a fleet, so likely not gonna listened much to Van Morrison again. Comforting, timeless, and just detached enough to keep you sane.

Great album. Completely filled with favorites.

Best Song: And it Stoned Me I bought Van Morrison's greatest hits in 1999 and listened to it to death. This was the first time I've listened to an album in its entirety that wasn't greatest hits and I think I liked this album better than the Greatest Hits. Plus, how is it possible that Into the Mystic was not on the greatest hits?!?!?! 5/5.

Good but Cameron Winter clears

I do love "crazy love", "and it stoned me", and "into the mystic", they are comfort food songs for sure. I must admit, I had never heard "everyone" before, but i like the chaotic combo of harpsichord, snare heavy beat, and winds. There are so many lounge lizard covers of moondance that the album feels guilty by association, but admittedly, the solos and vibes are fun. I'm a sucker for any Dorian vamp.

What a great listening experience! Special shout out to the flute and the back-up vocalists! Who or what is Jelly Roll though? And Glad Tidings should be called Brown Eyed Girl: Reprise (I’m not complaining, it’s a bop 🤗).

Un album très cool et très calme, impeccable pour se reposer. Quelle voix, et quelles mélodies!

Overall really great, I've always enjoyed listening to Van Morrison, especially his 1974 live "Too Late To Stop Now" album. This had a few studio versions of tracks I hadn't heard before, only knowing the live performances. I'm probably at a 5 star on this album

I thought I loved Van Morrison, until I listened to this whole album. Love Moondance & of course Brown Eyed Girl (not on this album), but this album was a bit same same!

I really enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. I had a perception of van morrison as kind of cheesy and lightweight somehow (the brown eyed girl - sha la la la - guy), but there is some fantastic songwriting here. The arrangement and production is lovely and warm and comforting too. His voice didn't sit great with me for just a moment but once I'd got on board, there is a lot to love. Into the mystic is a really beautiful piece.

One of my personal tops

I enjoyed it, though it is honestly not my cup of tea. It's jazzy, folksy and he's got a style and poetry to it. Though the subject matter is universal (love, spirit, and growing up) it didn't resonate with me so personally as it has perhaps many others, but it wasn't a bad time.

I need white men to stop making podcasts and start making music like this again. It’s not totally my thing but I had a fine time listening. I know this man has a lot of lore but I know none of it.

This was fine. I enjoyed the combination of folksy jazz and I thought it was well executed. It just didn’t really do much for me otherwise. It wasn’t particularly memorable. Maybe I just hit it on the wrong day, idk.

I wouldn’t consider myself a VanMorrisonhead, but enjoyed this more than expected

An absolute joy.

Can't fault it for variety. There's a bit of everything on here. Listening to the first song I thought fuck me, I had no idea Van Morrison made country music. Other than that song, apparently he didn't. Overall, didn't love or hate it. Couple of songs were pretty decent.

Great voice, I really enjoyed it. Looked up his discography and this is the 3rd of 47 studio albums. Think I'll just stick with greatest hits in future

Enjoyed it but rounding down today

“Everyone, everyone, everyone, by the winding stream, we shall lie and dream. Yeah, make dreams come true!” -Belfast’s beloved blue-eyed soul signer gave the world many treasures, this album has quite a few.

Wow! I’m a fan 6/5⭐️

nice, chill and relaxing

very good

Pretty boring

Good album. Some aspects of Van's music i've liked but overall I don't find this music much interesting for me. Strong 3 star record.

Standouts Moondance Crazy Love Caravan Into the Mystic Come Running

6/10 - relaxing jazz pop rock

A middling album made by a gigantic cunt.

Not my favorite Van Morrison but it's a good Van Morrison. Melodic, well written, and the man has a good voice.

A lot of good songs

What a classic. Glad to have listened to some new favorites

This was quite nice but didn't really chime that much with me bar a few songs. I obviously hate the man and frankly his voice is annoying even if distinctive. I tolerate it on Astral Weeks as it works. And it's magnificent, but it's definitely a barrier. Would definitely be a 4 with time I imagine.

I see why Van Morrison makes it on to every musician's Desert Island Discs. Such a beautiful album to listen to

This was enjoyable, I thought it was gonna be like the first track all the way through and I was wrong, there was some nice variation. I knew the title track but I had no idea it was van Morrison.

Call me a normie but I like this like more than Astral Weeks

An absolute all time classic.

Something about this album instantly calms my nervous system. I can take a breath and just let the music wash over me.

When I asked my parents what song they danced to for their first dance at their wedding, they both smiled and said “Moondance” by Van Morrison. Then they thought about it a moment longer and my mom said, “Actually it wasn’t. It was another song. But it should have been Moondance.” They both had trouble remembering the name of their actual first dance song. I love this album, partly because I grew up with it, and because there was as a sense of specialness around it in my household. But also, it’s a fantastic pop album, stacked with great songs, and I’ve formed my own special relationship with the music. On my own wedding day, there was a moment when I realized that I had left something important at the venue during our morning rehearsal: a bag of ties that I was supposed to give to a few of the groomsmen. I needed to drive 20 minutes from the hotel to the venue, then 20 minutes back to the hotel to get dressed. It was a real pain of an extra trip to take on my wedding day when I should have been relaxing. But it was a beautiful, sunny day, and I thought: “Why not enjoy the drive and listen to some music?” The choice of music was obvious. Van Morrison’s “Moondance.” It’s almost exactly 40 minutes long, and it perfectly captured the bright joy of that warm day in May. I savored that drive. I can picture the roads I drove down as clearly as many other memories from that day. It was a nice way to be alone with my happiness, if that makes sense. A way to process the significance of what was going to be a special day and a great party. This music feels like a balm. It’s bright and colorful and full of life. Always a pleasure to put on.

What a voice. Sometimes when I'm sitting around practicing my singing I'll think about a signature voice like Van Morrison's (amongst many other greats) and I'll think "how the hell do they do it?". That's one of the reasons why I think singing is truly some magical ethereal thing; some people just have a special voice and it's all a big wonderful mystery as to why it works that way. "Moondance" in my opinion is Van Morrison at his best; with interesting instrumentation and composition behind him and not the more typical "classic rock singer songwriter" sound that is on a lot of other songs of his, like "Caravan", "Into the Mystic", and others. To me, his voice is such a standout facet that it overtakes the music when the music doesn't meet him where he is. And so having a song that can captivate you in other ways is usually a song that I like more. This album is a nice listen. Moondance is a truly incredible piece, and it alone makes this album a solid 4/5.

Nice and easy listening, with some interesting sonic elements in the mix. A little more soulful than typical folk singer-songwriter stuff, and has some jazz touches here and there too. Not something I'd likely come back to, but decent overall.

Just feels like a white guy cosplaying. And Van is a dick.

Prior to listening, had I been asked if this album had saxophone on it, I’d have been wrong.

I didn’t think I knew any songs on this album until Moondance. It’s the song I hear at work all the time. Favorite songs: Moondance, Crazy Love

It's the soundtrack to your favourite werewolf movie!

a must- have!

Never really liked Van Morrison, always seemed like old people music. I can't understand what he is singing, I swear in every song he sings "sweet jellyroll" but I don't think those are any of the actual lyrics. He has a very mush-mouth way of singing and it makes all of his songs sound the same to me. I feel like I've heard every song on this album even though I've never intentionally listened to his music, maybe it's just because they all sound the same. I can appreciate that people like him but I find his music extremely annoying. I somehow listened to this whole album and I think I hate him more than when I started, so I guess it moved me. I just kept going because I couldn't believe how bad it was and how it only got worse as it went.

I enjoy this album very much. Close, but not quite, a 5 for me.

Meh, not a huge fan

Album 933 of 1089 Van Morrison - Moondance (1970) Rating : 4.5 / 5 What a great album - great songs, great performances, and a whole vibe that just feels timeless. Van is one of those artists I somehow forget to mention when listing the greats, and listening to this reminded me that I really need to stop doing that. This album has everything working in its favor - smooth, soulful vocals, incredible musicianship, and that warm, easy groove that just draws you in. Tracks like Caravan, Into the Mystic, and the title track still sound as fresh as ever. It’s the kind of album that feels like an old friend - comforting, familiar, and always welcome.

Much better than astral weeks. Really enjoyable music! The sound of the 70s imo.

Bluesy, folksy, bits of pop. Never listened to a full Van Morrison album but I can see why he's hailed as one of the greats, despite literally everything he came out with after this, for the most part, failed to live up to this.

A very beautiful album and somber album that sadly ends on its lowest

I’ve always loved the song “Moondance”, so being able to come back to it here is a delight. The jazzy arrangement, the flute, the little beat pauses in the chorus—it’s just so warm and fuzzy! But I never paid attention to the lyrics…holy hell is this a horny song. The rest of the album is a calm, laid-back experience—I’ve called this type of album “Sunday Morning Music” before, and that definitely applies here! It’s nice to have on in the background with a cup of coffee.

This is one of my favorite albums of all time, so I am a little biased in this review. From the start, it is just something you want to live in for a little while, letting his voice and those amazing melodies wash over you. Five stars, no notes. And yes, I am conflicted about how I feel about this music versus how I feel about the artist.

Like it

My Mom would play this album relentlessly during my Childhood so hearing this again today brought me back. I understand why it was her go to dinner party album, it’s such a warm soothing record. For as many times as I had heard Stoned Me, I still had no idea what the lyrics, “Stoned me just like Jelly Roll” meant, I always assumed it was just nonsense that sounded nice. Finally looked it up today and it’s in reference to Jazz musician, Jelly Roll Morton who Morrison listened to as a child and “Stoned Me” reflects on how he was deeply moved by him. So I’m glad I finally figured that one out. So yea, this is an album that brings me back to a comfortable part of my childhood and I’ll always appreciate this album for that. It’s not quite on par with Astral Weeks but it’s still pretty strong. I’m giving it 5 stars

8/10…singer songwriter / folk

Kungens överman. Som Elvis in Memphis i facket traditionell tidlöst bra musik, fast snäppet bättre. Det finns mornar då jag inte klarar av att lyssna på någon annan musik än just Vans tidiga 70tal, jag tror inte någon annan musik besitter den (lite tveksamma) egenskapen. Han har en närmast löjlig svit på en sju album där som samtliga är minst starka fyror, det kan vara musikhistoriens bästa svit, Princes 80tal kommer väl närmast. 1968 till 1975 är Van från en annan planet, under denna period släpper han dessutom ett av tiderna bästa livealbum, räknar vi också med inspelningarna för Bang records 66 & 67 (bl.a. "Brown-eyed girl") och det outgivna material från det tidiga 70talet som hittas på boxen från sent 90tal, det är helt osann kreativ kvalitet. Vissa dagar är det Moondance som är det bästa albumet från denna period, andra Astral weeks, och tredje Saint Domonic's preview, det är ens egen dagsform som avgör. Här finns inte en död sekund, varje ton är en diamant. Den vandrande baslinjen i titelspåret, uttjatad kanske, men herregud va bra den är. Hela skivan fylld av jazzdoftande piano, perfekt blås och smakfulla hippieflöjter. Storytellingen är på Dylannivå och inte ens för en sekund görs det avkall på att fylla härligheten med soul ...och som han sjunger karln! Det är helt makalöst. Det är inte många svarta sångare som kan mäta sig ens. Jag kan inte önska mig något mer, det är ett perfekt album. "Turn it up, a little bit higher" bara att lyda. Jag undrar mest var den sjätte stjärnan för Hysénklass är nånstans. Bästa albumet hittills

Blåögd folksoul av bästa märket. And it stoned me, Into the mystic, Come running, Brand new day… Van radar upp fullpoängare efter fullpoängare. Egentligen bara det jazziga titelspåret och skivans två sista som inte är fantastiska. Väldigt nära högsta betyg. En nia på den tiogradiga skalan.

Få kompositörer inom populärmusiken kan mäta sig med Van the man. Allra minst gällande hans verk från perioden sent 60-tal och första halvan av 70-talet. Moondance är inget undantag. En samling fantastiskt fin sånger. Vans mys-soul värmer den mest djupfrysta själ. Ändå vet vi att han kan ännu bättre. Inte minst märks det på livealbumet It’s too late to stop now. Flera av spåren från Moondance finns med och lyfts till från takvåningen till vad man trodde ouppnåeliga höjder. Med det sagt Moondance är ett riktigt starkt album. Här finns inga svaga spår men en del riktiga toppar som These dreams of you, Brand new day, Caravan och Into the mystic.

Överlag riktigt fin soul av irländaren. Det blir lite glättigt emellanåt. Into the Mystic är en fantastiskt låt. Moondance och Glad tidings har jag svårare för. En svag fyra landar jag i.

Top 100 albums of all time. Classic.

It's an album that needs a glass of wine, old-school dynamic driver headphones and a valve amplifier. It's a bit too early for wine, not even 8am, but I gave it the other two. I've always preferred 'Astral Weeks' but this 'more accessible' Van Morrison deserves a warm and fluffy, thermionic valve enhanced, 4/5.

Great album. Every song is good. Van Morrison at his peak. Favorites are And It Stoned Me, Moondance, Crazy Love, Into The Mystic, Brand New Day.

scusate non l’ho sentito proprio tutto ma mi è piaciuto molto

Mix di country, blues e cantautorato, rilassante. Mi è piaciuto

Uma novidade! Não conhecia ele, acho que nunca nem tinha ouvido falar de Van Morrison e gostei bastante. É um álbum que me transmite a sensação de viagem de volta pra casa, não uma casa em si mas de volta a natureza, um ambiente familiar e tranquilo, uma sensação de calor, uma brisa fresca num dia quente, envolta de pessoas amadas. (Brand new day - acho que veio em um bom momento, me lembra de ter esperança de dias melhores nesse momento em que me sinto completamente perdida com um sentimento de vazio e a sensação de que eu vou colapsar e me petrificar a ponto de mal conseguir respirar.) Eu escutaria o álbum de novo! Acho que o porquinho iria gostar desse álbum.

I was mildly underwhelmed by this album. It had really pretty production and the sound throughout the album is so refined. I just found it to be alittle too slow for me, as whole I was kinda bored, but Moondance is an all time great song! I just think the album is just ok.

Every dang song was the same

Loved it. Nice chilled album for first thing in the morning with nothing to rush for.

I wish this was a bit more upbeat. I like it, the voice is good, just a bit slow for a Friday morning in October. Not feeling it. It needs to be played late on a Summer's day. Driving home: you have a touch of heatstroke and you're anticipating crashing out on the sofa when you get back. Feet slightly aching, you decided to play this because you were in the mood after hearing a busker singing Brown Eyed Girl and you want some REAL Van Morrison. One to keep for those occasions, but not today. Still decent but without that mood, I can't give it any higher.

Great songs great music I love his voice!

Love the use of saxophone. Into the Mystic forever reminds me of an ex gf. Great album, awful relationship.

Okay. I slept like shit. I don't have it in me to give an extensive review

Stone cold classic

I really like VanMorrison and this is a great album. I couldn't tell you any specific song, I just enjoyed the whole flow in the background as I worked.

Good, good stuff here.

The highs are so high on this album

I enjoyed this a lot. Easy listening, music was well layered using a lot of different instruments. Will be adding a handful of these songs to my playlist.

Standard VM

I own this album. Fantastic.

Consistent to the point that the songs I hadn't heard still sounded familiar, but the music is good enough that it never gets tired. Classic yet distinct with a pleasant blend of folk and rock influences.

Big fan of this album. “Everyone” is such a great song. Could listen to this on loop (and did)

If fedoras were music.

Hey, it’s that song from The Royal Tenenbaums This is like a 3.5 but I’m rounding down

Better than I expected. Great instrument sound. Good song construction. Voice gets grating after a while.

Great voice and so nostalgic.

Enjoyable. Not wow. A couple of familiar songs and a few others. some of it was quite similar. A bit better than average. I would listen to it again but not seek it out to own it. 3.5 stars

6/10 Not bad 10-03-2025

This is a conditional album, in the sense that I liked it when I was relaxed and had quiet surroundings. Listened to it twice by mistake but second time round was better than the first and it soothed me with its genial tones.

Classic favorite

Enjoyed it

This was pretty good! Great background music. I liked Stoned me, caravan, and into the mystic the best.

Am I over Van Morrison?

It always comes with the caveat that he’s a terrible person, but in general I really like Van Morrison’s music. This is a really good one, too. Not quite Astral Weeks, but still fantastic.

This nob made some great albums in his day.

Cool, maybe not really my kind of stuff

I quite enjoyed this album. It’s not phenomenal, and some of it sounds a bit homogenous. There’s more than enough meat on the bone here for this to be listened to though. I’ve always been a huge fan of Into the Mystic, I think it’s probably his best song outside of Brown Eyed Girl. The title track is good as well, and there’s a few others that are keepers. All in all, fun to go back and listen to

Perfect from start to finish.

Van Morrison reminds me too much of me da who's now dead and gone. It makes me too sad. Love and miss you, Da

Van is ok I guess..

Pretty good

Easy 5. Into the Mystic - one of the greatest songs of all time

Van Morrison’s music isn’t really my style, BUT I still appreciate the album—it’s still a good one!

It's all just very nice. Well crafted songs, with nice instrumentation and vocals. It won't be something I'll revisit, but I quite enjoyed it nonetheless. 3.5 rounded down.

Very easy listening soulful music from Van the Man. Really enjoyed having this on in the background. Quite front-loaded, but that's nit-picking. A great listen.

Not mind blowing, but a solid album that was easy listening and enjoyable from beginning to end

Never listened to Van Morrison before outside the bigger hits. I enjoyed the album. A bit of soul, some jazz elements, some stuff more rocky - a good mix. There were no big tracks I would say, but the album flowed well.

Now that's what I call an album cover! I didn't really realise there was more to VM than Brown Eyed Girl, but this album is a cracker.

Easy listening, but also easy to tune out. Has some really good moments and yet a lot is forgettable.

Can’t go wrong with this album. It has that feel good, comfy cozy vibe. Pares well with Sunday afternoons on the sofa or country drives with the windows down.

I could probably listen to Van Morrison just scatting and find it nourishing. His voice is a sufficient stand-in for a narrative thread to tie everything together. My parents have the Best of Van Morrison and unsurprisingly it's an excellent greatest hits compilation. Sweet Thing, Queen of the Slipstream, and Cleaning Windows are my all-time favorite songs of his, and it turns out they are all on different albums, none of them Moondance. But really—and I know it's not in the spirit of this listening project—go listen to the Best of... There may not be time to listen to all of his albums individually...

Turn up your radio, because this album is a gem. I've loved this album and it's still a classic in my book. It's a 4.5 because I 'Everyone' just feels like it doesn't belong, but rounding up to a 5.

Van makes me smile

6/10

Fantastic album, will listen through

Ok

Classic.

five stars no notes

Moondance will be my final Van Morrison album to review, and based on its reputation, I have pretty high hopes for it. I went into this project only knowing a couple of Van Morrison songs, and I was unfortunate enough to review his live album before any of his studio recordings. However, I enjoyed Astral Weeks quite a bit more, so I wouldn’t be surprised if I wound up liking this album even more. Moondance won’t be getting five stars from me, but I still enjoyed it quite a bit. I found it to be a really solid, beautiful album. Nothing about the music was incredibly complicated, but everything was arranged really well and sounded great. The simplicity of the sound really created a sense of place, and I get why people hold this album in such high regard. There wasn’t really anything consistently great about this album (like great guitar playing or something along those lines), but I thought a lot of the songs were pretty good. My only complaint about Moondance is that some of it was a bit boring, and some songs felt like filler. As far as filler goes, it was pretty good filler, but filler nonetheless. Some notes on the songs I enjoyed: I loved the groove of Moondance. It was jazzy and sexy, I felt like I was in a club with a big band playing. It gave off the aura of dim lights with a blue tint, making me want to go out dancing. The bass playing was excellent, but I like how it wasn’t overpowering, like it was steering from the passenger seat. “Crazy Love” was a pure and simple excellent love song. Those backing vocals were great, and I loved the guitar playing. “Into the Mystic” was outstanding, and I think it might be VM’s best song. The vocals and music are perfect together. I loved how it all built over the course of its runtime. I have no idea what the lyrics meant, but I don't care, because this was just a wonderful song. The bass on “Come Running” was great, and the backing vocals were excellent as well. The saxophone playing added just the right punch to the sound. “Glad Tidings” was insanely catchy. I loved how the bass, guitar, and sax sounded together. The ‘la la la’ vocal fills were perfect too. An excellent closing track. If I had to choose a VM album to come back to, I think it would definitely be this one. Not every song was a winner, but the best songs on this album were pretty remarkable.

Laitoin tämän taustalle soimaan enkä oikeastaan edes huomannut kun se loppui. Ihan kiva muttei mitenkään erityinen. Tykkään enemmän Michael Bublén versiosta Moondance-kappaleesta.

Ihan hyvä, mutta kaikki biisit kuulostaa aika lailla samalta. Lopulta meni sellasels että vaan soi taustalla enkä ajatellut, joten vähän tylsä. Ei silleen musiikillisesto huono mutta ei mitenkään ihmeellinen.

No private session used for Spotify. Love the song, but never listened to the album or any Van Morrison album. The album is pleasant, has a lot of nice songs, pretty mellow.

A smooth folk rock journey with jazz influences. Playback went quick

Easy listening

Thought the only Van Morrison song I knew was Brown eyed girl, which wasn’t even on here. Ended up really enjoying the whole thing

yeah fine, it didn’t grip me particularly. Fully expected the last song to go into brown eyed girl lol

Rolling Stone list 120 The most Van Morrison of Van Morrison’s albums. The song ‘Everyone’ is a banger and there is no real filler. A solid album but not quite legendary.

Hit me just on the right day.

3.5 maybe

Not a mood

gillar titelspåret, allt annat var ganska tråkigt

Några låtar var helt ok, men håller inte måttet med resten av albumen

A dreamy album. Into the mystic is possibly his best song amongst dozens. And it stoned me despite the odd title still resonates. There is a languid mood that permeates through this album and it is all the better for it. The album is a little top heavy with the best songs and it does tail off a little but this is an album to return to

I enjoyed this album

whimsy blues!! But uh... literally forgor the songs the moment I stopped listening. So, sweet but forgettable

Not bad. Some of the songs were pretty cool but a bit too southern for me 😅

4.8/5 excellent songwriting some of his best stuff possibly best album

Brilliant record. Loved everything about it

Album is a total hit-or-miss crapshoot. Oscillating from “oh hell yeah this rocks” to lame circus music. Caravan, Into The Mystic, and Glad Tidings are great tracks.

Recognizable artist/sound/songs. Appreciated a couple listens through, but a bit slower than the music I normally seek out.

This is the perfect soundtrack for a lazy Sunday morning. “Anything in particular you want to hear?” “Well, it’s Sunday and we’ve got nowhere to be, right? Put on Van Morrison’s Moondance.” Van Morrison feels a bit like an Irish James Taylor—just a touch less mellow—but it’s hard not to love his music, especially the classics. I’ve grown to appreciate him even more since getting married, thanks to how much my wife adores his songs.

The most enthusiastic 5 I have given on this journey. This is a fantastic classic album I grew up listening to as I rolled through my mid to late teens. Into the Mystic is the highlight here with Moondance and Crazy Love rounding out the top three for me. The rest is immensely enjoyable as well.

Overall was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this. I guess because The Doors felt a little hit and miss to me I wasn't sure where this was going to fall. Admittedly the first song wasn't a great start but I felt the rest was really enjoyable. "Moondance" and "Into the Mystic", and "Dreams of You" were the standouts to me on first listen. The only track I specifically didn't enjoy was the first, and I am neutral at worst on some of the others. Truly more of a 3.5 but I'll bump it up for pleasantly surprising me.

#125/1001. An album to chill out in the middle of grunge, metal, industrial and mod/garage rock. Didn't really know to much about Van Morrison beforehand, not a big name in Finland I guess. Will I knew the name and was expecting something like what was delivered. A few fun and surprising songs (the title song for example), somehow I felt his time had been and gone, he had done his share of influencing other artists, and the demand for this music or album is not really needed anymore. I didn't really like the mix either, many songs had instruments just above hearing threshold level, perhaps contributing to the sound, but somehow annoying to try to pick up if is there a piano or hammond there or not.might be worth a revisit, but somehow I feel more like this will be on the list. I prefer my singer-songwriters with a bit less honky tonk, thanks.

I never go out of my way to listen to Van Morrison but I do enjoy his music when I hear it

Only know Van Morrison through the hits. This broadens it a bit.

Enjoyable

mediocre. 2,5

5

I actually really liked this. Didn't know what I expected. It was nice listening. I really enjoyed it.

Good

It was great! The first couple of tracks were ok then it got better and better

Loved it

Yes! This album! This restored my interest in 1001 albums. No skips. I even listened to some of it again the next day.

This is something Austin Powers would listen to if he were a cowboy.

I'd play it again on a road trip

I listened to this while cleaning the underside of my bidet. It was alright.

Honestly, this was pretty unexpected. And I don't think you can come into this album and not be surprised unless you really know what you're getting into with Van Morrison. While I do really appreciate the width of this album, I'm not enjoying Van Morrison's voice, and it takes a lot of the enjoyment out of listening for me. Which is a shame, because I love all of the different instruments making appearances and adding to the songs. Even though I'm not really enjoying it, the album does get points from me just because of its instrumentation. Favorite Song(s): Crazy Love

Meh .

Songs I would best describe as country. Good for waking up and maybe an intro scene in a 70s themed show. Don’t think I’d ever learn the words though.

Fine. That’s about all I have to say. There’s one song that was really groovy but the drummer does some weird backbeat thing, truly baffling and completely ruined the song.

It’s probably unnecessary to dislike this as much as I do, cause it’s meant to be easy listening. But this feels like the band that plays at a minor league baseball game in your hometown from bumfuck, nowhere. Everyone there is settled with a family, and they are together swaying gently, but deep down thinking, “do these guys know how to play in any key other than G major?”

koff koff…ahem…

This is so familiar that I don't know if it was heavily played on radio (that's like a streaming service that you can't personalise for you youngsters) or that I owned it as some point. On my patented -100 to +100 rating scale where where suddenly recognising a song makes one feel old is -20 moondance is like a warm glass of milk: +50

Classic!!

And It Stoned Me - 5/5 Moondance - 5/5 Crazy Love - 5/5 Caravan - 5/5 Into the Mystic - 5/5 Come Running - 3/5 These Dreams of You - 3/5 Brand New Day - 3/5 Everyone - 4/5 Glad Tidings - 4/5 Average score: 4.2/5

One of the best, simple - yet complex and it stoned me Moondance Into the mystic

Really good album, such an easy listen 4+

Very folksy. I think if I were in the right headspace (high) I'd probably like this more than I did listening to it at work. Have heard plenty of the songs before, but was nice to hear them in context.

great tunes for summer nights

Classics

Folk gets big and poppy with plenty of influence from the jazz and rock scenes going round at the time! Love the layers of wind and brass over the band, the record (much like the artist!) has a distinct voice. Lovely, but samey. Favourite tracks: Caravan, Moondance, Brand New Day

Yes, yes, a classic album. Have listened. I have problems with this (these may not be your problems): I can't go into a bar with live music without hearing this title track and others (e.g., "Into the Mystic") by the local cover bands--every fucking single one. Even if the bands were stellar I'd hate it. Even if Morrison was there himself doing it or any other track from this record, even if there was no cover charge, I'd hate it. Even if he wasn't a Trumpie I'd hate it. He's right up there (again, for me) with Steely Dan, Billy Joel, and Elton John. So over it.

Tasty jams and solid songwriting. Nice break with Crazy Love, much needed what with all the Van-ness of the rest of it.

ok