Currently listening to Van Morrison's debut record Astral Weeks. This is widely regarded as a masterpiece, I certainly think it is an amazing record, just not maybe as heralded as the critics would lead you to believe. My favorite tracks on this one are "Sweet Thing" and "The Way Young Lovers Do". The record is a bit more complex that some of his more soulful, straight rhythm and blues stuff, and I think that's why it is so highly regarded. The first of many in a long line of great Van Morrison records.
Between Van and Thin Lizzy (not to mention Stiff Little Fingers and The Pogues), Ireland has produced some of the most incredible music the world has ever heard; and yet somehow U2 and their droning, boring sound became THE Irish rock and roll band...how in the world did that happen (rant over)?
I can't say enough good things about Van Morrison; I got into him when I was 15 and have been a huge fan ever since. And almost every year he releases a new record STILL! He is almost 70 and still producing great music...but alas, no one seems to care except his core fans, and somehow some trashy girl with crazy outfits and no talent named Lady Gaga is topping the charts. Oh well, the music is still good at our house!
While I can't claim to be a huge Van Morrison fan, there are a bunch of songs that he's done that I really like. I'll have to give this album another listen; I've never gotten around to listening to it from start to finish.
My personal favorite from Van is Someone Like You from Poetic Champions Compose. My mother-in-law got a guest spot on the radio once and she picked this one. I'd never heard it before but it frequently gets played in our house.
Posted by: Patrick | 07/24/2010 at 02:31 PM
Love Van Morrison! He always brings good memories and creates new ones...
Posted by: Francesca | 07/31/2010 at 08:46 AM