Van Morrison — Astral Weeks
Album: Astral WeeksAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1763
Length: 6:57
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If I ventured in the slipstream
Between the viaducts of your dream
Where immobile steel rims crack
And the ditch in the back roads stop
Could you find me?
Would you kiss-a my eyes?
To lay me down
In silence easy
To be born again
To be born again
From the far side of the ocean
If I put the wheels in motion
And I stand with my arms behind me
And I'm pushin' on the door
Could you find me?
Would you kiss-a my eyes?
To lay me down
In silence easy
To be born again
To be born again
There you go
Standin' with the look of avarice
Talkin' to Huddie Ledbetter
Showin' pictures on the wall
Whisperin' in the hall
And pointin' a finger at me
There you go, there you go
Standin' in the sun darlin'
With your arms behind you
And your eyes before
There you go
Takin' good care of your boy
Seein' that he's got clean clothes
Puttin' on his little red shoes
I see you know he's got clean clothes
A-puttin' on his little red shoes
A-pointin' a finger at me
And here I am
Standing in your sad arrest
Trying to do my very best
Lookin' straight at you
Comin' through, darlin'
Yeah, yeah, yeah
If I ventured in the slipstream
Between the viaducts of your dreams
Where immobile steel rims crack
And the ditch in the back roads stop
Could you find me
Would you kiss-a my eyes
Lay me down
In silence easy
To be born again
To be born again
To be born again
To be born again
In another world, darlin'
In another world
In another time
Got a home on high
Ain't nothing but a stranger in this world
I'm nothing but a stranger in this world
I got a home on high
In another land
So far away
So far away
Way up in the heaven
Way up in the heaven
Way up in the heaven
Way up in the heaven
In another time
In another place
In another time
In another place
Uuh, yeah, mmh
In a time
In another place
In a time
In another place
In another face
Mmh, mmh, mmh
Between the viaducts of your dream
Where immobile steel rims crack
And the ditch in the back roads stop
Could you find me?
Would you kiss-a my eyes?
To lay me down
In silence easy
To be born again
To be born again
From the far side of the ocean
If I put the wheels in motion
And I stand with my arms behind me
And I'm pushin' on the door
Could you find me?
Would you kiss-a my eyes?
To lay me down
In silence easy
To be born again
To be born again
There you go
Standin' with the look of avarice
Talkin' to Huddie Ledbetter
Showin' pictures on the wall
Whisperin' in the hall
And pointin' a finger at me
There you go, there you go
Standin' in the sun darlin'
With your arms behind you
And your eyes before
There you go
Takin' good care of your boy
Seein' that he's got clean clothes
Puttin' on his little red shoes
I see you know he's got clean clothes
A-puttin' on his little red shoes
A-pointin' a finger at me
And here I am
Standing in your sad arrest
Trying to do my very best
Lookin' straight at you
Comin' through, darlin'
Yeah, yeah, yeah
If I ventured in the slipstream
Between the viaducts of your dreams
Where immobile steel rims crack
And the ditch in the back roads stop
Could you find me
Would you kiss-a my eyes
Lay me down
In silence easy
To be born again
To be born again
To be born again
To be born again
In another world, darlin'
In another world
In another time
Got a home on high
Ain't nothing but a stranger in this world
I'm nothing but a stranger in this world
I got a home on high
In another land
So far away
So far away
Way up in the heaven
Way up in the heaven
Way up in the heaven
Way up in the heaven
In another time
In another place
In another time
In another place
Uuh, yeah, mmh
In a time
In another place
In a time
In another place
In another face
Mmh, mmh, mmh
Comments (131)add comment
This is one of the many reasons why i love RP and non commercial radio, deep album dives
RabbitEars wrote:
Yeah...but what about: St Dominic's Preview, Hardnose the Highway, and Veedon Fleece?
I would do naked cart wheels down the street, if RP would ever play songs from these albums.
If you love this album, it's worth checking out No Guru No Method No Teacher, a largely ignored gem of a record, in ways a companion to Astral Weeks.
Yeah...but what about: St Dominic's Preview, Hardnose the Highway, and Veedon Fleece?
I would do naked cart wheels down the street, if RP would ever play songs from these albums.
Fun fact: in Wikipedia, you could switch Van Morrison's main photo with Elvis Costello's, and few people would notice
To each their own. I'm just not a fan of his voice.
If you love this album, it's worth checking out No Guru No Method No Teacher, a largely ignored gem of a record, in ways a companion to Astral Weeks.
Pjesnik wrote:
Welcome to the human condition. But connect with family and friends. You are no longer alone. You have community.
We are all strangers in this world. Many pretend thay are not.
Welcome to the human condition. But connect with family and friends. You are no longer alone. You have community.
We are all strangers in this world. Many pretend thay are not.
ybsen wrote:
Ah, points of facts friends - if you were born in England, you're English. If you were born in Ireland, you're Irish. Wales - Welsh. Scotland - Scottish. All nations my friends, in the wonderful British (one t) Isles. I have friends that are 'Oirish' on St Patricks Day, Scottish on Burn's Night and English the rest of the year.
At the end of the day does it REALLY matter? Black, white, yellow, brown or even green. Love and peace brothers and sisters
So, ScottishWillie, this implies the Scottish are Brittish too... Did you ever try to tell this to a real scottsman?
At the end of the day does it REALLY matter? Black, white, yellow, brown or even green. Love and peace brothers and sisters
So, ScottishWillie, this implies the Scottish are Brittish too... Did you ever try to tell this to a real scottsman?
A ten.
9 ---->10
Ecstasy
Ecstasy
ybsen wrote:
So, ScottishWillie, this implies the Scottish are Brittish too... Did you ever try to tell this to a real scottsman?
Unless you have a good knowledge of Irish history, I really do recommend that you don't go there ..
So, ScottishWillie, this implies the Scottish are Brittish too... Did you ever try to tell this to a real scottsman?
Unless you have a good knowledge of Irish history, I really do recommend that you don't go there ..
ScottishWillie wrote:
He's not Irish, he British. I'm not trying to be pedantic but these distinctions are very important to people from Northan Ireland.
So, ScottishWillie, this implies the Scottish are Brittish too... Did you ever try to tell this to a real scottsman?
He's not Irish, he British. I'm not trying to be pedantic but these distinctions are very important to people from Northan Ireland.
So, ScottishWillie, this implies the Scottish are Brittish too... Did you ever try to tell this to a real scottsman?
Canadese wrote:
He's not Irish, he British. I'm not trying to be pedantic but these distinctions are very important to people from Northan Ireland.
Another great Irish poet
He's not Irish, he British. I'm not trying to be pedantic but these distinctions are very important to people from Northan Ireland.
8 --> 9 
Godlike. That is all.
Another great Irish poet
Whoa 50 years old!
I can't even say what it is about this song, but it is stunning. Stunning.
khardog145 wrote:
The whole Moondance album
But this is too.
Hey k,
But equally good: Veedon Fleece, St. Dominic, Hard nose the Highway, Tuelpo Honey.
I don't think any artist comes close to this run of albums. Unbelievable.
Other than Miles Davis and John Coltrane.
The whole Moondance album
But this is too.Hey k,
But equally good: Veedon Fleece, St. Dominic, Hard nose the Highway, Tuelpo Honey.
I don't think any artist comes close to this run of albums. Unbelievable.
Other than Miles Davis and John Coltrane.
mach-hog wrote:
what
an artist
Amen to that
what
an artist
Amen to that
what
an artist
Typesbad wrote:
lovely comment!
Van Morrison is obviously a very talented vocalist with very good musicians accompanying him. There is a lot to appreciate, but for whatever reason I have a never been able to. I don't dislike his work but I do tend to just wait through it and I have never felt compelled to listen to him voluntarily. I'm glad so many of you like him. This is clearly my problem. But at least when someone else is indifferent to some artist I am convinced is absolutely brilliant, I have a means of understanding.
Van Morrison is obviously a very talented vocalist with very good musicians accompanying him. There is a lot to appreciate, but for whatever reason I have a never been able to. I don't dislike his work but I do tend to just wait through it and I have never felt compelled to listen to him voluntarily. I'm glad so many of you like him. This is clearly my problem. But at least when someone else is indifferent to some artist I am convinced is absolutely brilliant, I have a means of understanding.
slickdh wrote:
5 for beginners, 8 for experts and 10 for the few selected ones. So 5 for you and 10 for me.
Wait... Wait.... We get '8' desert island disks!!? I always thought it was 5....
5 for beginners, 8 for experts and 10 for the few selected ones. So 5 for you and 10 for me.
Van
Love It all All so cool
good god I love this thom.
timpafromoz wrote:
Wait... Wait.... We get '8' desert island disks!!? I always thought it was 5....
The Hollywood Bowl live version of Astral Weeks is worth a listen. To my ears he mumbles his words on the live version - a shame - as it's otherwise musically very good. This original is gorgeous - Astral Weeks is one of my eight 'desert island disks'.
Wait... Wait.... We get '8' desert island disks!!? I always thought it was 5....
avikatz wrote:
The whole Moondance album But this is too.
If this isn't a ten what is?
The whole Moondance album
But this is too. scrubbrush wrote:
Oh it exists! One cannot visualize it in a conventional sense. Have Faith!
Holy God Almighty. This is just about my favorite song of all times. Chills, goosebumps, nostalgia, hope. One of the rare, rare songs that i would rank well above a 10, if such a scale existed here.
Oh it exists! One cannot visualize it in a conventional sense. Have Faith!
The Hollywood Bowl live version of Astral Weeks is worth a listen. To my ears he mumbles his words on the live version - a shame - as it's otherwise musically very good. This original is gorgeous - Astral Weeks is one of my eight 'desert island disks'.
i love the music of this man - i am an agnostic, and i listen to all kinds of music day per day - but the music of this man gives me somehow religious feelings (or at least what i think religious people feel while they are "on it" ;-)
but the man got way bette later on:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLIYiL-UOnA
but the man got way bette later on:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLIYiL-UOnA
westslope wrote:
Sir George Ivan Morrison OBE was born British by Nationality - not Irish. This is not a political comment - just a clarification from me who grew up and went to school only a couple of miles away from Van Morrison's home and school.
Irish Slam?
Sir George Ivan Morrison OBE was born British by Nationality - not Irish. This is not a political comment - just a clarification from me who grew up and went to school only a couple of miles away from Van Morrison's home and school.
I just realized U2's all I want is you has the same sound as this song.
I saw Mr. Morrison in Las Vegas this past year and he seemed embarrassed to be playing at Caesars Palace, like he had sold out or something. But I'll tell you I was thrilled to see him perform. It was a fantastic experience.
Sheer brilliance. A great song from a great album.
GTT wrote:
Thanks GTT, that says it all. I feel the same way about this timeless song
For me, this is one of the high points of all the music I have ever heard; whatever the stress or negativity I happen to be feeling, this song fills me with peace and relief.
Thanks GTT, that says it all. I feel the same way about this timeless song
I'm not sure if you had to be in the experience when this came out to have enjoyed it, but Van Morrison's music has not aged well.
No matter what is said, I'll always love this song, with all its instruments. So original. Flute, violin...
Irish Slam?
Is every song on the album in 6/8?
Just checked in to downvote this...was already a 1, lol.
Just cant stand his "art".
ziggytrix wrote:
I want to know how you know that.
occasionally Van makes noises like a goat having an aneurysm and it makes me giggle
I want to know how you know that.
One of the great albums! Framed hanging on the wall in the company of Exile On The Main Street, Manasssas, Hejira, The Freewheelin', Physical Graffiti, Aja, At Fillmore East... Pick one for yourself...
Smoking Hot today Sir!
Thank you.
Easy 10 by the way.
Thank you.
Easy 10 by the way.
A very moving piece of music.
Definetly one of my favorite music pieces
I always heard "puttin' on his leatherette shoes" which seems very Van Morrison.
Top marks to the arranger too. DIVINE.
I've seen Van M live, he didn't smile much, it was a wonderful night!
If this isn't a ten what is?
LizK wrote:
He has a job, for which he gets paid VERY well. Isn't part of it being pleasant to the people that come to his concerts, buy his music and purchase the paraphernalia? Does it hurt to be civil to the people who pay the astronomical prices to come to his concerts?
themusicroob wrote:
Dunno about this argument. Richard Branson has a job for which he gets paid VERY VERY well. Is part of it being pleasant to people who pay the astronomical prices to ride his trains?
Okay, I'm very bitter about the cost of train fares in the UK, and maybe this isn't a great example. But at what point does your success reach a point where you owe your fans something over and above what they've paid for?
Also, great song, great poetry.
Thanks for the 'similar-to-what-I-was-going-to-say' reply, roob! And for me, in a more general sense, folks can expect ANYTHING from ANY ONE - it's the expectation that ultimately lets the 'fan' down when the 'artist' doesn't deliver. So for instance, with Van the Man, it's his music that folks like, not his charming personality. A fan can attempt to reach out and connect and if/when that attempt fails, the fan shouldn't decide to throw away his albums to spite the musician. Who knows what that person is going through right then and there. I'm rambling incoherently now so I'll go back to doing my (boring) job and listening to RP on my phones.....Long Live RP!!
He has a job, for which he gets paid VERY well. Isn't part of it being pleasant to the people that come to his concerts, buy his music and purchase the paraphernalia? Does it hurt to be civil to the people who pay the astronomical prices to come to his concerts?
themusicroob wrote:
Dunno about this argument. Richard Branson has a job for which he gets paid VERY VERY well. Is part of it being pleasant to people who pay the astronomical prices to ride his trains?
Okay, I'm very bitter about the cost of train fares in the UK, and maybe this isn't a great example. But at what point does your success reach a point where you owe your fans something over and above what they've paid for?
Also, great song, great poetry.
Thanks for the 'similar-to-what-I-was-going-to-say' reply, roob! And for me, in a more general sense, folks can expect ANYTHING from ANY ONE - it's the expectation that ultimately lets the 'fan' down when the 'artist' doesn't deliver. So for instance, with Van the Man, it's his music that folks like, not his charming personality. A fan can attempt to reach out and connect and if/when that attempt fails, the fan shouldn't decide to throw away his albums to spite the musician. Who knows what that person is going through right then and there. I'm rambling incoherently now so I'll go back to doing my (boring) job and listening to RP on my phones.....Long Live RP!!
LizK wrote:
He has a job, for which he gets paid VERY well. Isn't part of it being pleasant to the people that come to his concerts, buy his music and purchase the paraphernalia? Does it hurt to be civil to the people who pay the astronomical prices to come to his concerts?
Dunno about this argument. Richard Branson has a job for which he gets paid VERY VERY well. Is part of it being pleasant to people who pay the astronomical prices to ride his trains?
Okay, I'm very bitter about the cost of train fares in the UK, and maybe this isn't a great example. But at what point does your success reach a point where you owe your fans something over and above what they've paid for?
Also, great song, great poetry.
He has a job, for which he gets paid VERY well. Isn't part of it being pleasant to the people that come to his concerts, buy his music and purchase the paraphernalia? Does it hurt to be civil to the people who pay the astronomical prices to come to his concerts?
Dunno about this argument. Richard Branson has a job for which he gets paid VERY VERY well. Is part of it being pleasant to people who pay the astronomical prices to ride his trains?
Okay, I'm very bitter about the cost of train fares in the UK, and maybe this isn't a great example. But at what point does your success reach a point where you owe your fans something over and above what they've paid for?
Also, great song, great poetry.
10
I dig Van, but not when he does stuff like this. The band plays wispy improv on a two chord progression while Van improvises (apparently) over top, until it all fades out. Doesn't do it for me. Boring.
lizardking wrote:
He has a job, for which he gets paid VERY well. Isn't part of it being pleasant to the people that come to his concerts, buy his music and purchase the paraphernalia? Does it hurt to be civil to the people who pay the astronomical prices to come to his concerts?
I remember a co-worker back in 1999 who was 1) a huge fan of attending concerts and 2) a huge VM fan and she FINALLY got her wish; to see him perform live (at the Gorge no less....a FANTASTIC venue worth the hours long drive, lines, etc.) and then happened to run into him having a drink sometime after the show. She was giddy, like a kid meeting a hero, and had the gall to ask for his autograph. Apparently he just grunted and turned his back to her, leaving her in shock and upset.
I learned two things from this anecdote; 1) take with a grain of salt any fan who says "so in so is such an asshole, he wouldn't even sign his autograph for me!" and 2) being a fan of a musician should be rooted in how they perform their craft and NOT related to how they interact with fans. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure most of us would like to have an opportunity to meet a "hero" and get a signature and have a great story for the grandkids, but come on now....think of something better than "SIGN THIS" and don't be offended if the response is not getting a signature.
Long Live RP!!
He has a job, for which he gets paid VERY well. Isn't part of it being pleasant to the people that come to his concerts, buy his music and purchase the paraphernalia? Does it hurt to be civil to the people who pay the astronomical prices to come to his concerts?
Hey it's Friday afternoon.
Is it time to be born again?
Such a trippy, cool album.
Is it time to be born again?
Such a trippy, cool album.
Released 1968, not 1970.
I remember a co-worker back in 1999 who was 1) a huge fan of attending concerts and 2) a huge VM fan and she FINALLY got her wish; to see him perform live (at the Gorge no less....a FANTASTIC venue worth the hours long drive, lines, etc.) and then happened to run into him having a drink sometime after the show. She was giddy, like a kid meeting a hero, and had the gall to ask for his autograph. Apparently he just grunted and turned his back to her, leaving her in shock and upset.
I learned two things from this anecdote; 1) take with a grain of salt any fan who says "so in so is such an asshole, he wouldn't even sign his autograph for me!" and 2) being a fan of a musician should be rooted in how they perform their craft and NOT related to how they interact with fans. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure most of us would like to have an opportunity to meet a "hero" and get a signature and have a great story for the grandkids, but come on now....think of something better than "SIGN THIS" and don't be offended if the response is not getting a signature.
Long Live RP!!
Yup!
On_The_Beach wrote:
On_The_Beach wrote:
Jelani wrote:
Yeah, I thought he was having a stroke...
Yah, the mumble-shriek just got more and more out of hand the older he got . . .
Yeah, I thought he was having a stroke...
Yah, the mumble-shriek just got more and more out of hand the older he got . . .
Ten has to be sparing, but this one gets it. Poetry and music both so powerful, intertwining into beauty that's so far beyond pop or anything with a category.
ziggytrix wrote:
Yeah, I thought he was having a stroke...
occasionally Van makes noises like a goat having an aneurysm and it makes me giggle
Yeah, I thought he was having a stroke...
slickdh wrote:
Surprised?
@newbolddrive - Good Lookin' out... The ending to this song and U2's 'All I want is you' are very, very similar. ... Just Sayin' Feel free to decide for yourselves.
Surprised?
@newbolddrive - Good Lookin' out... The ending to this song and U2's 'All I want is you' are very, very similar. ... Just Sayin' Feel free to decide for yourselves.
One of my all time favourite albums. Although he has made some great stuff I don’t think anything comes close to this, apart from the live version of this maybe!
occasionally Van makes noises like a goat having an aneurysm and it makes me giggle
such fantastic instruments bring me along on the ride, great song imo
nomnol wrote:
Van Morrison is obviously a very talented vocalist with very good musicians accompanying him. There is a lot to appreciate, but for whatever reason I have a never been able to. I don't dislike his work but I do tend to just wait through it and I have never felt compelled to listen to him voluntarily. I'm glad so many of you like him. This is clearly my problem. But at least when someone else is indifferent to some artist I am convinced is absolutely brilliant, I have a means of understanding.
Just checked to see who didn't like the Van. Can't believe there is even one. Too bad for them. Play on Van the man.
Van Morrison is obviously a very talented vocalist with very good musicians accompanying him. There is a lot to appreciate, but for whatever reason I have a never been able to. I don't dislike his work but I do tend to just wait through it and I have never felt compelled to listen to him voluntarily. I'm glad so many of you like him. This is clearly my problem. But at least when someone else is indifferent to some artist I am convinced is absolutely brilliant, I have a means of understanding.
When this first came out, hippies started to populate downtown Ottawa & the psychedelics too. I used to sit for hours to listen to this & other albums like it with headphones. It played at everyone's place that you'd visit that had a record player. Sometimes, it would get played over & over for hours, high or not.
scrubbrush wrote:
Truly one of the best songs ever.
Holy God Almighty. This is just about my favorite song of all times. Chills, goosebumps, nostalgia, hope. One of the rare, rare songs that i would rank well above a 10, if such a scale existed here.
Truly one of the best songs ever. Thin_Air wrote:
Good advice.
Sage advice indeed. I am too except for this one time.
Just kidding anyway. I am a Van fan, can't you tell?
According to www.oxforddictionaries.com :-
liberal = willing to respect or accept behaviour or opinions different from one's own; open to new ideas.
liberal = willing to respect or accept behaviour or opinions different from one's own; open to new ideas.
Good advice.
Sage advice indeed. I am too except for this one time.
Just kidding anyway. I am a Van fan, can't you tell?
nomnol wrote:
Good advice.
Just checked to see who didn't like the Van. Can't believe there is even one. Too bad for them. Play on Van the man.
According to www.oxforddictionaries.com :-
liberal = willing to respect or accept behaviour or opinions different from one's own; open to new ideas.
liberal = willing to respect or accept behaviour or opinions different from one's own; open to new ideas.
Good advice.
"In another time, in another place".
I am sure all of us have wondered that same thing - if only this or that had been different. If we had met someone but only a few years earlier or in different circumstances.
So true it almost hurts.
I am sure all of us have wondered that same thing - if only this or that had been different. If we had met someone but only a few years earlier or in different circumstances.
So true it almost hurts.
For me, this is one of the high points of all the music I have ever heard; whatever the stress or negativity I happen to be feeling, this song fills me with peace and relief.
ccwcool wrote:
that was in DC for me
Absolutely brilliant show
Many fans don't like the way he's sung for the last couple of decades when he dropped an octave, but he's made it clear that he's dropped out of the higher register to save his voice. To me, he's still V-T-M. Saw him do the Astral Weeks tour in NYC. Heard the show of a lifetime. One more off the bucket list. He is the best in my book. A legend should just be enjoyed for his journey. We're there just to watch and wonder.
that was in DC for me
Absolutely brilliant show
Just checked to see who didn't like the Van. Can't believe there is even one. Too bad for them. Play on Van the man.
Love this song...absolutely adore the album (it was always on the list of dessert island albums)
...unfortunately has a bad live experience at the Beacon Theatre in NYC many years back. front row mezzanine seats, slightly off to the right, and Van the Man comes on in a drunken stupor (still holding the bottle of whatever), mutters some incomprehensible words, drops the microphone and walks off the stage. No return, no refund.
left a hole in my wallet and a dislike for the man. own many albums but absolutely refuse to see him live.
I'm just saying....two of his under-payed albums: Veedon Fleece and St. Dominic's Preview, could be better represented on RP.
Maybe even Tupelo Honey. I'm just saying.
Maybe even Tupelo Honey. I'm just saying.
Reminiscent of "Take Me Back." Or vice versa.
DavidS_UK wrote:
Some people are just not likeable - that does not mean they are a 'bad' person so I do not think you should keep on giving all his songs played on RP a low rating.
This whole album is at least a 7 - and I think you might agree if you could bring yourself to separate the man from the music.
Come on - although he is not English he is British and we should be proud of the talent we produce from these Islands even if they are not the most likeable personalities.
It's another 1 - nothing about the song, all about the artist, see a previous VM posting from me for the reason :-)
{though it's actually a good song, isn't it!}
{though it's actually a good song, isn't it!}
Some people are just not likeable - that does not mean they are a 'bad' person so I do not think you should keep on giving all his songs played on RP a low rating.
This whole album is at least a 7 - and I think you might agree if you could bring yourself to separate the man from the music.
Come on - although he is not English he is British and we should be proud of the talent we produce from these Islands even if they are not the most likeable personalities.
rp thank you for not playing "Brown eyed girl" most musicians have more than one song. i love it that rp plays the 'b" side. Eclectic and various tracks from artists we know and like. Thanks.
It's another 1 - nothing about the song, all about the artist, see a previous VM posting from me for the reason :-)
{though it's actually a good song, isn't it!}
{though it's actually a good song, isn't it!}
scrubbrush wrote:
The rating scale is logarithmic (like earthquakes).
10 is 10 times better than 9, which is 10 times better than 8, .... You get the idea.
Never heard this before. Genius. Thanks, Bill.
Holy God Almighty. This is just about my favorite song of all times. Chills, goosebumps, nostalgia, hope. One of the rare, rare songs that i would rank well above a 10, if such a scale existed here.
The rating scale is logarithmic (like earthquakes).
10 is 10 times better than 9, which is 10 times better than 8, .... You get the idea.
Never heard this before. Genius. Thanks, Bill.
It's just that this album is SO different. Nothing before it or after it comes close to be similar.
It trippy, cryptic lyrics, mystical themes, but with some folky, jazzy, RnR hooks. And the musicianship is just exsqusite.
Yes, to be born again.
It trippy, cryptic lyrics, mystical themes, but with some folky, jazzy, RnR hooks. And the musicianship is just exsqusite.
Yes, to be born again.
Holy God Almighty. This is just about my favorite song of all times. Chills, goosebumps, nostalgia, hope. One of the rare, rare songs that i would rank well above a 10, if such a scale existed here.
i think the recording was made in 1968
brilliant
Expanded, remastered version in the works:
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/van-morrison-preps-expanded-reissues-of-astral-weeks-his-band-20150827
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/van-morrison-preps-expanded-reissues-of-astral-weeks-his-band-20150827
In their annual roundup of great albums, Rolling Stone originally had Astral Weeks ahead of everything, but then The Kinks released Arthur, which gained prominence, only to be undone by Let It Bleed. 1969. What a year for great music.
SUCH a brilliant album! Forty-five years old?
Beauty is timeless!
Beauty is timeless!
Had not been on the playlist before 2010? 
Wow.
Wow.Is this over yet?!?! Ok. PSD then ð
amen
ccwcool wrote:
ccwcool wrote:
Many fans don't like the way he's sung for the last couple of decades when he dropped an octave, but he's made it clear that he's dropped out of the higher register to save his voice. To me, he's still V-T-M. Saw him do the Astral Weeks tour in NYC. Heard the show of a lifetime. One more off the bucket list. He is the best in my book. A legend should just be enjoyed for his journey. We're there just to watch and wonder.
Never heard it on any radio, maybe another time, place
Snore-isson
On_The_Beach wrote:
........ yes
........ yes
Many fans don't like the way he's sung for the last couple of decades when he dropped an octave, but he's made it clear that he's dropped out of the higher register to save his voice. To me, he's still V-T-M. Saw him do the Astral Weeks tour in NYC. Heard the show of a lifetime. One more off the bucket list. He is the best in my book. A legend should just be enjoyed for his journey. We're there just to watch and wonder.
garyalex wrote:
He is a phenomenal bassist, not very well known outside the jazz world, but you are spot on. I just saw this note years late, but such brilliance knows no time. Or all time.
Richard Davis on bass - just wonderful.
He is a phenomenal bassist, not very well known outside the jazz world, but you are spot on. I just saw this note years late, but such brilliance knows no time. Or all time.
God...what a most beautiful...trippy...happy rock n roll song.
Like all great songs, you get "high" on it and this moment comes and then poof...its gone.
Like all great songs, you get "high" on it and this moment comes and then poof...its gone.
The first few notes of this song always take my breath away. One of the most beautiful songs I've ever known.
big stud Romeo Tuma wrote:
Wow! This album ranked 19th on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time! This song is really interesting... I just ranked it a big 10, and I look forward to hearing it again...
cool music, and the lyrics are profound— very impressionistic the way the lyrics evoke subjective and sensory impressions rather than recreate objective reality... very groovy...
I be the holy ghost of big stud Romeo Tuma...
this song be very groovy... love it...
Wow! This album ranked 19th on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time! This song is really interesting... I just ranked it a big 10, and I look forward to hearing it again...
cool music, and the lyrics are profound— very impressionistic the way the lyrics evoke subjective and sensory impressions rather than recreate objective reality... very groovy...
I be the holy ghost of big stud Romeo Tuma...
this song be very groovy... love it...
luca77 wrote:
Yeah...gifted!
I don't like everything he's done, but I don't have to...in my mind this whole album was a masterpiece.
I'm often amazed at how young a lot of the greats were back then when they made their early, great albums...Santana, Robert Plant, I'm sure I could think of lots more if I take a minute...
But ... things to do....
This is one of the truths of history: genius reveals itself young and is most prodigious then, regardless of the subject matter.
Yeah...gifted!
I don't like everything he's done, but I don't have to...in my mind this whole album was a masterpiece.
I'm often amazed at how young a lot of the greats were back then when they made their early, great albums...Santana, Robert Plant, I'm sure I could think of lots more if I take a minute...
But ... things to do....
This is one of the truths of history: genius reveals itself young and is most prodigious then, regardless of the subject matter.
merkin_muffley wrote:
Good point, "The click- and clack- of high-heel shoes... say goodbye to Madame George". May have to rethink my 10. Hate to discount anything on Astral Weeks. Tough call.
Really want to give this a 10 but need to leave a bit of room at the top for Madam George or T.B. Sheets if they ever get played.
Good point, "The click- and clack- of high-heel shoes... say goodbye to Madame George". May have to rethink my 10. Hate to discount anything on Astral Weeks. Tough call.
THIS is why people of my generation get so excited about VM, believing him to be THE signal vocalist of an entire generation. This album is still as brilliant as anything ever recorded. Godlike, he is.
watme wrote:
Ditto. Big Time.
Takes me back to another time and another place.
Ditto. Big Time.
Takes me back to another time and another place.
Really want to give this a 10 but need to leave a bit of room at the top for Madam George or T.B. Sheets if they ever get played.
this is a special piece, I had to stop evrything and relax, focus and smile, love it
sweettone wrote:
Yeah...gifted!
I don't like everything he's done, but I don't have to...in my mind this whole album was a masterpiece.
I'm often amazed at how young a lot of the greats were back then when they made their early, great albums...Santana, Robert Plant, I'm sure I could think of lots more if I take a minute...
But ... things to do....
The incredible VM - hard to believe he was only about 23 when he made this album.
Yeah...gifted!
I don't like everything he's done, but I don't have to...in my mind this whole album was a masterpiece.
I'm often amazed at how young a lot of the greats were back then when they made their early, great albums...Santana, Robert Plant, I'm sure I could think of lots more if I take a minute...
But ... things to do....
Van the Man peaked with "It's Too Late To Stop Now" after an incredible run of classics, including this album. I miss the good old days.
romeotuma wrote:
I'd put it in the top 5.
I'd put it in the top 5.
Wow! This album ranked 19th on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time! This song is really interesting... I just ranked it a big 10, and I look forward to hearing it again...
cool music, and the lyrics are profound— very impressionistic the way the lyrics evoke subjective and sensory impressions rather than recreate objective reality... very groovy...
anabel wrote:
Still singing: https://www.janetplanet.com/
reminds me, whatever happened to Janet Planet? Anyone? Sounds great as ever.
Still singing: https://www.janetplanet.com/
WHile I hear he is an ass at times, I would love to see Van The Man live before He or I die. Been a fan since Them
Beautiful, A 10
Beautiful, A 10
Just a little before 8am in Dahab, Egypt where I am. Waking up, sipping my coffee, feeling the warm Sinai sun as it peeks through the windows and feeling sooo good. Open my laptop, open RP as usual and oh man..perfect. VM's sweet, sweet voice is coming through my speakers...nothing like it, especially in the morning....it's going to be a great day...thx VM, thx RP.
The incredible VM - hard to believe he was only about 23 when he made this album.
Really good except for the part where he swallows his tongue.
DISLIKE HIM!
ASTRAL or not!
ASTRAL or not!
You've made sitting here stuck at a desk crunching numbers this morning most wonderful! Thanks for making my day!
Van Morrison is obviously a very talented vocalist with very good musicians accompanying him. There is a lot to appreciate, but for whatever reason I have a never been able to. I don't dislike his work but I do tend to just wait through it and I have never felt compelled to listen to him voluntarily. I'm glad so many of you like him. This is clearly my problem. But at least when someone else is indifferent to some artist I am convinced is absolutely brilliant, I have a means of understanding.
This is not a "...problem." Either you like an artist or a song or you don't. I don't understand this impulse to rate everything and establish some consensus as to what is best and what is worst. It is all so subjective. You can have it all and you can choose whatever you like.