Van Morrison: your views please

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.

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.

Kicked your gift-horse in the teeth
Crowd gathered round in the street
You killed your saviour new one can't be found
Talk is cheap your saviour's highway bound

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

This is my favorite Van, his "Avalon"

My list of hi sthirty-two best.

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.

"Common One" kicks ass!

underrated

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwIT0mVLTZM

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?

Next reish appears to be an "Authorized" collection of the Bang Records stuff.

days before rock n roll on radio atm at work

have we ever polled 'worse tracks in history?' asking for a friend

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

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!

oh thanks! i was nervous about that review bc i wish i liked the record more

Another album of standards due out next month:
http://www.recordstore.co.uk/recordstore/Out-in-December/Versatile/5PKS0EAN000

haha, taking the Dylan route

Weird that this thread would be bumped right now. I'm very into A Period of Transition today.

"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

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

Next year he'll release I Have an Album Out.

To be followed up by "$16.99 At Barnes & Noble"

if only! I bough a lot of obscure Rykodisc shit at B&N.

You reminded me of seeing every late '90s Van album, shit like Back on Top displayed prominently.

i really like keep me singing i listen to it often

common one is underrated

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"

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DWg4jnyVAAAtwwD.jpg

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.

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 (nine months ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Who's in the photo with Van and why is Van looking so happy?

robbie robertson?

yeah looks kinda like him - but is he so tall?

Definitely Robbie. Van's a short dude.

5'5"

What's my line?
I'm happy cleaning windows
Take my time
Can't reach the fucking top rows
Cleaning windows

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?

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.

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.

haha, that is indeed a weird little gimmick

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?

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.

Haha - it totally is this. Buckley aside, I still don't think I've heard anyone else do this. I like it. I think.

Wow, I only heard Beautiful Vision for the first time last night and it's quite lovely.

US tour coming

Last year this time we were in the midst of the Van poll. That was fun.

seeing him for the first time in a few weeks, excited

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.

This is the cover of Van Morrison's new album.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DogmWmDW0AA4E5Y.jpg

This is what happens when you're a legacy artist who doesn't sell enough (new) records for the label to bother telling you "No" anymore.

i love it and like the new song. album seems to be another covers + a few new originals thing

that album cover kicks ass and I will fight you

Santo Trafficante Jr goes into hiding and decides to slightly disguise himself as a Blues Brother. I like it.