Listening to Van Morrison on Radio Paradise

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.

Posted 5 days ago by jcleworth [ Reply ]

Sheer brilliance. A great song from a great album.

Posted 1 week ago by carrigman [ Reply ]

GTT wrote:

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

Posted 1 month ago by Jannne [ Reply ]

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.

Posted 1 month ago by hschlossberg [ Reply ]

No matter what is said, I'll always love this song, with all its instruments. So original. Flute, violin...

Posted 2 months ago by nomnol [ Reply ]

Irish Slam?

Posted 2 months ago by westslope [ Reply ]

Is every song on the album in 6/8?

Posted 3 months ago by KKeith [ Reply ]

Just checked in to downvote this...was already a 1, lol. Just cant stand his "art".

Posted 3 months ago by S_L420 [ Reply ]

ziggytrix wrote:

occasionally Van makes noises like a goat having an aneurysm and it makes me giggle

I want to know how you know that.

Posted 4 months ago by bruceandjenna [ Reply ]

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...

Posted 5 months ago by yoksa [ Reply ]

Smoking Hot today Sir!

Thank you.

Easy 10 by the way.

Posted 6 months ago by DanFHiggins [ Reply ]

A very moving piece of music.

Posted 6 months ago by Canadese [ Reply ]

Definetly one of my favorite music pieces

Posted 6 months ago by nrg [ Reply ]

I always heard "puttin' on his leatherette shoes" which seems very Van Morrison.

Posted 6 months ago by ritajohnson [ Reply ]

Top marks to the arranger too. DIVINE.

Posted 6 months ago by ritajohnson [ Reply ]

I've seen Van M live, he didn't smile much, it was a wonderful night!

Posted 6 months ago by matadorsuns [ Reply ]

If this isn't a ten what is?

Posted 8 months ago by avikatz [ Reply ]

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!!

Posted 9 months ago by lizardking [ Reply ]

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.

Posted 9 months ago by themusicroob [ Reply ]

10

Posted 11 months ago by On_The_Beach [ Reply ]

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.

Posted 11 months ago by zenhead [ Reply ]

lizardking wrote:

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?

Posted 1 year ago by LizK [ Reply ]

Hey it's Friday afternoon.

Is it time to be born again?

Such a trippy, cool album.

Posted 1 year ago by idiot_wind [ Reply ]

Released 1968, not 1970.

Posted 1 year ago by On_The_Beach [ Reply ]

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!!

Posted 1 year ago by lizardking [ Reply ]

Yup!

On_The_Beach wrote:

https://www.londonlovesbusiness.com/pictures/462xAny/9/8/2/12982_number-10-door-2.png

Posted 1 year ago by ploba [ Reply ]

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 . . .

Posted 1 year ago by jagla [ Reply ]

Posted 1 year ago by On_The_Beach [ Reply ]

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.

Posted 1 year ago by cely [ Reply ]

ziggytrix wrote:

occasionally Van makes noises like a goat having an aneurysm and it makes me giggle

Yeah, I thought he was having a stroke...

Posted 1 year ago by Jelani [ Reply ]

slickdh wrote:

@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?

Posted 1 year ago by bodyschool [ Reply ]

@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.

Posted 1 year ago by slickdh [ Reply ]

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!

Posted 1 year ago by Lyndont [ Reply ]

occasionally Van makes noises like a goat having an aneurysm and it makes me giggle

Posted 1 year ago by ziggytrix [ Reply ]

such fantastic instruments bring me along on the ride, great song imo

Posted 1 year ago by hayduke2 [ Reply ]

nomnol wrote:

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.

Posted 1 year ago by Typesbad [ Reply ]

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.

Posted 1 year ago by LameBuffalo [ Reply ]

scrubbrush wrote:

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.

Posted 1 year ago by On_The_Beach [ Reply ]

Thin_Air wrote:

According to www.oxforddictionaries.com :-

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?

Posted 2 years ago by nomnol [ Reply ]

nomnol wrote:

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.

Good advice.

Posted 2 years ago by Thin_Air [ Reply ]

"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.

Posted 2 years ago by Stephen_Phillips [ Reply ]

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.

Posted 2 years ago by GTT [ Reply ]

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.

that was in DC for me
Absolutely brilliant show

Posted 2 years ago by DanFHiggins [ Reply ]

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.

Posted 2 years ago by nomnol [ Reply ]

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.

Posted 2 years ago by Emwolb [ Reply ]

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.

Posted 2 years ago by idiot_wind [ Reply ]

Reminiscent of "Take Me Back." Or vice versa.

Posted 3 years ago by shakylegs [ Reply ]

DavidS_UK wrote:

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!}

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.

Posted 3 years ago by Stephen_Phillips [ Reply ]

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.

Posted 3 years ago by baylees [ Reply ]

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!}

Posted 3 years ago by DavidS_UK [ Reply ]

scrubbrush wrote:

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.

Posted 3 years ago by velocette [ Reply ]

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.

Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind [ Reply ]

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.

Posted 3 years ago by scrubbrush [ Reply ]

i think the recording was made in 1968

Posted 3 years ago by Skydog [ Reply ]

brilliant

Posted 3 years ago by leafmold [ Reply ]

Expanded, remastered version in the works:

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/van-morrison-preps-expanded-reissues-of-astral-weeks-his-band-20150827

Posted 3 years ago by On_The_Beach [ Reply ]

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.

Posted 4 years ago by WonderLizard [ Reply ]

SUCH a brilliant album! Forty-five years old?

Beauty is timeless!

Posted 4 years ago by jhorton [ Reply ]

Had not been on the playlist before 2010?

Wow.

Posted 4 years ago by Bleyfusz [ Reply ]

Is this over yet?!?! Ok. PSD then ð

Posted 4 years ago by bendame [ Reply ]

amen

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.

Posted 4 years ago by mfcrowe [ Reply ]

Never heard it on any radio, maybe another time, place

Posted 4 years ago by max_p [ Reply ]

Snore-isson

Posted 4 years ago by a_genuine_find [ Reply ]

On_The_Beach wrote:

https://socialmediab2b.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/b2b-social-media-top-10.jpg

........ yes

Posted 5 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw [ Reply ]

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.

Posted 5 years ago by ccwcool [ Reply ]

garyalex wrote:

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.

Posted 5 years ago by bam23 [ Reply ]

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.

Posted 6 years ago by idiot_wind [ Reply ]

The first few notes of this song always take my breath away. One of the most beautiful songs I've ever known.

Posted 6 years ago by scrubbrush [ Reply ]

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...

Posted 6 years ago by Lazarus [ Reply ]

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.

Posted 6 years ago by joelbb [ Reply ]

merkin_muffley wrote:

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.

Posted 6 years ago by joelbb [ Reply ]

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.

Posted 6 years ago by joelbb [ Reply ]

watme wrote:

Takes me back to another time and another place.

Ditto. Big Time.

Posted 6 years ago by lawman [ Reply ]

Takes me back to another time and another place.

Posted 6 years ago by watme [ Reply ]

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.

Posted 7 years ago by merkin_muffley [ Reply ]

this is a special piece, I had to stop evrything and relax, focus and smile, love it

Posted 7 years ago by hayduke2 [ Reply ]

sweettone wrote:

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....

Posted 7 years ago by luca77 [ Reply ]

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.

Posted 7 years ago by ratdog55 [ Reply ]

romeotuma wrote:

Wow! This album ranked 19th on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time! ...

I'd put it in the top 5.

Posted 7 years ago by On_The_Beach [ Reply ]

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...

Posted 7 years ago by (anonymous) [ Reply ]

anabel wrote:

reminds me, whatever happened to Janet Planet? Anyone? Sounds great as ever.

Still singing: https://www.janetplanet.com/

Posted 8 years ago by macadavy [ Reply ]

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

Posted 8 years ago by jktravl [ Reply ]

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.

Posted 8 years ago by nacrobat [ Reply ]

The incredible VM - hard to believe he was only about 23 when he made this album.

Posted 8 years ago by sweettone [ Reply ]

Really good except for the part where he swallows his tongue.

Posted 8 years ago by pannaramma [ Reply ]

DISLIKE HIM!

ASTRAL or not!

Posted 8 years ago by Stingray [ Reply ]

You've made sitting here stuck at a desk crunching numbers this morning most wonderful! Thanks for making my day!

Posted 8 years ago by Randomax [ Reply ]

Van's finest moment.

Posted 8 years ago by On_The_Beach [ Reply ]

van morrison always pings my heart strings.

Posted 8 years ago by duchamp [ Reply ]

Richard Davis on bass - just wonderful.

Posted 8 years ago by garyalex [ Reply ]

most def. another time, another place........

Posted 8 years ago by Randomax [ Reply ]

Same strings background as U2's "All I Want is You?"

Posted 8 years ago by deepwoodskev [ Reply ]

HazzeSwede wrote:

The early solo albums are in a class for them selves !

bwahahahaha

Posted 8 years ago by Randomax [ Reply ]

anabel wrote:

reminds me, whatever happened to Janet Planet? Anyone? Sounds great as ever.

according to Google looks like she's still goin' strong

Posted 8 years ago by Randomax [ Reply ]

The early solo albums are in a class for them selves !

Posted 8 years ago by HazzeSwede [ Reply ]

reminds me, whatever happened to Janet Planet? Anyone? Sounds great as ever.

Posted 8 years ago by anabel [ Reply ]

Randomax wrote:

THANK YOU FOR PLAYING THIS!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 8 years ago by Mari [ Reply ]

THANK YOU FOR PLAYING THIS!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 8 years ago by Randomax [ Reply ]