It's on the internet so it must be true. http://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/rock-stars/van-morrison-net-worth/
― Jazzbo, Thursday, 20 October 2016 14:37 (seven years ago) link
Yeah, I think Astral Weeks only took off after a couple of years.
More like a couple of decades, I think. I recall a 1987 issue of RS saying it had sold fewer than 100,000 copies.
But hey, Van, I bet if you released that 1968 live version of Astral Weeks that Peter Wolf has tapes of, that'd bring in some cash. Just sayin'.
― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Thursday, 20 October 2016 14:57 (seven years ago) link
He may be down to his last million. I can't believe he needs the money. Jazzbo otm.
― The burrito of ennui (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 20 October 2016 15:00 (seven years ago) link
You have a drive to do this – writing, recording, touring – your own way.It's not a drive. It's what I do. It's like Robbie Robertson said to me: "It's like breathing." I've been doing a lot of touring in the past several years because I need the money. I was running out of money, paying for a lot of stuff. I had to go out there again.
― niels, Thursday, 20 October 2016 15:53 (seven years ago) link
I think the renown for Astral Weeks came a long way before 87. It was on a few Best of all time lists a while before that.I've heard that it was popular on the hippy trail in the early 70s
I got a copy on Original Rock Classics sometime in the mid 80s, or slightly earlier that I've just seen came out in 74. Would think that indicated that whatever label thought it worthy of release in that form recognised it was likely to sell.
Would like to hear that 68 live set. Have enjoyed the early 70s ones I've heard.
― Stevolende, Thursday, 20 October 2016 16:07 (seven years ago) link
yeah, it must've been highly esteemed at some point (see Lester Bangs' Stranded essay), but probably only became a "major" record in the CD era.
― tylerw, Thursday, 20 October 2016 16:08 (seven years ago) link
Kicked your gift-horse in the teethCrowd gathered round in the streetYou killed your saviour new one can't be foundTalk is cheap your saviour's highway bound
― brimstead, Saturday, 29 October 2016 21:07 (seven years ago) link
I gotta rep for "inarticulate speech of the heart" as far as 80s van goes. immense album.― blank, Tuesday, October 2, 2012 8:39 PM (four years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― blank, Tuesday, October 2, 2012 8:39 PM (four years ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
This is my favorite Van, his "Avalon"
― Iago Galdston, Sunday, 22 January 2017 15:09 (seven years ago) link
My list of hi sthirty-two best.
― the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 12 April 2017 01:59 (seven years ago) link
Hmmm. You've got some great ones on there no doubt. But I'm a petty, small minded man and I need to say it.
No Saint Dominic's Preview, no Astral Weeks, no credibility. Those are my 2 favorite Van songs. Almost Independence Day is up there too.
― kornrulez6969, Wednesday, 12 April 2017 03:45 (seven years ago) link
"Common One" kicks ass!
― Carlotta's Portrait (Ross), Wednesday, 12 April 2017 06:56 (seven years ago) link
underrated
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwIT0mVLTZM
― Carlotta's Portrait (Ross), Wednesday, 12 April 2017 06:59 (seven years ago) link
Finally got the vol 2,3,4 ITLTSN cos I found it cheap on Amazon. It looks to be standard £5+ cheaper than it was btw, I got for even less.But still hoping more early stuff gets reissued. Has anybody heard anything about that?
― Stevolende, Wednesday, 12 April 2017 07:34 (seven years ago) link
Next reish appears to be an "Authorized" collection of the Bang Records stuff.
― to fly across the city and find Aerosmith's car (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 12 April 2017 07:51 (seven years ago) link
days before rock n roll on radio atm at work
have we ever polled 'worse tracks in history?' asking for a friend
― spud called maris (darraghmac), Friday, 19 May 2017 10:55 (six years ago) link
the new record will perhaps not be a very original statement, but I'm enjoying the singles so far - this Goin' to Chicago version is cool:https://open.spotify.com/track/4u9Xyg324bx3c5ZfZMhtlm
― niels, Wednesday, 13 September 2017 12:18 (six years ago) link
But the most thrilling moment on the record is when its volume suddenly drops for “Goin’ to Chicago,” so that it sounds as if Morrison, Georgie Fame, and Chris Hill—who plucks the walking bassline which forms the song’s spine—are exchanging simple melodic ideas in the uncrowded air. Morrison sings, “Goin’ to Chicago/So sorry that I can’t take you,” and then Fame, his vocal a liquid counterpoint to Morrison’s more inflexible and geologic formations, sings, “I come from Chi-town, Chi-town is my town,” and the effect is lovely, two powerful vocalists tracing and retracing each other’s phrases just as they start to evaporate from the arrangement.
nice, brad!
― niels, Saturday, 30 September 2017 14:31 (six years ago) link
oh thanks! i was nervous about that review bc i wish i liked the record more
― ToddBonzalez (BradNelson), Saturday, 30 September 2017 14:58 (six years ago) link
Another album of standards due out next month:http://www.recordstore.co.uk/recordstore/Out-in-December/Versatile/5PKS0EAN000
― Ari (whenuweremine), Sunday, 5 November 2017 17:17 (six years ago) link
haha, taking the Dylan route
― niels, Sunday, 5 November 2017 19:03 (six years ago) link
Weird that this thread would be bumped right now. I'm very into A Period of Transition today.
― Ⓓⓡ. (Johnny Fever), Sunday, 5 November 2017 19:10 (six years ago) link
"out in the cold again" from last year's keep me singing is really nice.
In between the times where it feels alright. To the dead of the cold black night
― brimstead, Monday, 4 December 2017 22:48 (six years ago) link
i've a feeling van does not gaf about album title anymore, he already told us born to sing: no plan b why do we have to 'keep him singing' now
― brimstead, Monday, 4 December 2017 22:50 (six years ago) link
Next year he'll release I Have an Album Out.
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 5 December 2017 01:25 (six years ago) link
To be followed up by "$16.99 At Barnes & Noble"
― Never Learn To Mike Love (C. Grisso/McCain), Tuesday, 5 December 2017 02:12 (six years ago) link
if only! I bough a lot of obscure Rykodisc shit at B&N.
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 5 December 2017 02:15 (six years ago) link
You reminded me of seeing every late '90s Van album, shit like Back on Top displayed prominently.
― morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 5 December 2017 02:16 (six years ago) link
i really like keep me singing i listen to it often
― Universal LULU Nation (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Tuesday, 5 December 2017 17:28 (six years ago) link
common one is underrated
― kolakube (Ross), Sunday, 11 February 2018 08:09 (six years ago) link
the first time i heard moondance i thought "that braying voice.... that bland lifeless smooth jazz puree.... is this sinatra?"before that my only impression of him was "brown eyed girl is a little mediocre but still listenable"
― heliogabberlus, Sunday, 11 February 2018 09:16 (six years ago) link
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DWg4jnyVAAAtwwD.jpg
― tylerw, Tuesday, 20 February 2018 22:59 (six years ago) link
Still wishing that the 70s catalogue would reappear in remastered cd form.Is that remotely likely to happen now?Really need St Dominic's preview and veedon fleece in decent form.
― Stevolende, Wednesday, 21 February 2018 00:14 (six years ago) link
― spud called maris (darraghmac), Friday, 19 May 2017 10:55 (nine months ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― Planck Blather (darraghmac), Wednesday, 21 February 2018 00:22 (six years ago) link
Who's in the photo with Van and why is Van looking so happy?
― niels, Wednesday, 21 February 2018 07:03 (six years ago) link
robbie robertson?
― new noise, Wednesday, 21 February 2018 07:16 (six years ago) link
yeah looks kinda like him - but is he so tall?
― niels, Wednesday, 21 February 2018 08:10 (six years ago) link
Definitely Robbie. Van's a short dude.
― Jazzbo, Wednesday, 21 February 2018 15:20 (six years ago) link
5'5"
― Jazzbo, Wednesday, 21 February 2018 15:21 (six years ago) link
What's my line?I'm happy cleaning windowsTake my timeCan't reach the fucking top rowsCleaning windows
― Maconie Youth (NickB), Wednesday, 21 February 2018 15:27 (six years ago) link
yeah it's robbie — he posted it on his twitter, they seem to be up to something. not the worst idea. does robertson remember how to play guitar i wonder?
― tylerw, Wednesday, 21 February 2018 16:17 (six years ago) link
There's a thing Van does with his voice that I've often wondered about. I don't think it's confined solely to Astral Weeks, but it's there I notice it most - particularly on the title track, and particularly between about 3.20-3.30 on this version: https://youtu.be/4ech6pZoBJ4
It's almost like he's (deliberately) singing around a bubble in his throat or something. Does it have a name? The only other vocalist I've really heard doing it is Jeff Buckley, and that's when he's covering Van, mainly.
― The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums (Chinaski), Friday, 13 April 2018 18:36 (six years ago) link
It sounds to me like he's pushing his tongue out a little, and raising his tongue near the back of his mouth. Like when people do an impression of Droopy.
― Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Friday, 13 April 2018 18:39 (six years ago) link
haha, that is indeed a weird little gimmick
― niels, Saturday, 14 April 2018 08:50 (six years ago) link
Is that like on "When god shines his light" at the end where him and Cliff are humming on the outro, and Van forgets to keep his gob shut?
― Mark G, Saturday, 14 April 2018 09:15 (six years ago) link
Haha - it totally is this. Buckley aside, I still don't think I've heard anyone else do this. I like it. I think.
― The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums (Chinaski), Saturday, 14 April 2018 09:39 (six years ago) link
Wow, I only heard Beautiful Vision for the first time last night and it's quite lovely.
― Johnny Fever, Sunday, 8 July 2018 13:22 (five years ago) link
US tour coming
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 11 July 2018 13:15 (five years ago) link
Last year this time we were in the midst of the Van poll. That was fun.
― kornrulez6969, Wednesday, 11 July 2018 13:45 (five years ago) link
seeing him for the first time in a few weeks, excited
― niels, Wednesday, 11 July 2018 17:30 (five years ago) link
Had the chance to see the man in concert yesterday. Relative disappointment, his voice seems strong as ever, but he had a very hard time singing in key on jazzy compositions like Moondance and The Way Young Lovers Do, slightly embarrassing to witness. Pulled off jazz standards and blues covers a lot better, but I’m not that interested in hearing him do Got My Mojo Workin’, his own material is obv a lot more interesting. Band was professional but completely harmless. I know he’s supposed to be hit and miss live, so will give it another go if I get the chance. I’ve praised The Healing Game countless times and will say again that Sometimes We Cry is a late-career evergreen, show highlight for me (even if the band's performance lacked nerve). Oh yeah, and they finished off with Gloria, now that’s a song! Unfortunately Van left the stage after 2 choruses while bandleader encouraged the crowd five or six times in a row to give it up for “THE ONE AND ONLY SIR VAN MORRISON” upon which the band improvised solos for 10 minutes and waved goodbye.
― niels, Sunday, 29 July 2018 11:02 (five years ago) link