Tracks
- And It Stoned Me
- Moondance
- Crazy Love
- Caravan
- Into the Mystic
- Come Running
- These Dreams of You
- Brand New Day
- Everyone
- Glad Tidings
Moondance is a gentle album. The music varies from R&B to jazz to country to folk. And it works! Van Morrison makes it work. His voice is plastic and fits any style naturally. His backing musicians make it work too. The rhythm section is fluid and lively. The saxes and flute do a good job in support.
I really liked this album. Van Morrison makes interesting music and he tells stories in his lyrics that are enjoyable and sensible—a rare treat. I do think this album is worth listening to, but I don't think it necessarily belongs on the 1001 Albums list. Van Morrison's range is impressive, but there's nothing new on this album, either.
All of the songs are quite good. The stand outs are: And It Stoned Me, Moondance, Caravan, Into the Mystic, These Dreams of You and Glad Tidings.
★★★★★★★★★☆
Tracks
- Astral Weeks
- Beside You
- Sweet Thing
- Cyprus Avenue
- The Way Young Lovers Do
- Madame George
- Ballerina
- Slim Slow Slider
Astral Weeks is a sublime album. (I could have said it's an ethereal album, but that would just be a bad joke.) Without Van Morrison singing, this album would be a very strange jazz album. The double bass plays a significant role throughout each song to compensate for the more subtle presence of the drums and other percussion.
In some songs there's often a flute, strings or a guitar playing in the background without an obvious connection to the music. Van Morrison has an undulating singing style. It's hypnotic and would grow tiresome if he weren't so passionate. All together, it makes for a unique album.
I've never thought much of Van Morrison, but I think this album is wonderful. It certainly deserves to be on the list and is a must for any serious collector. All the songs are outstanding, but Astral Weeks, Sweet Thing, Cyprus Avenue, The Way Young Lovers Do, Madame George and Ballerina are the stand outs.
★★★★★★★★★★
