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Astral Weeks |  | Artist: Van Morrison
Label: Warner Bros / Wea
Category: Music
List Price: $11.98
Buy Used: $2.18
as of 7/29/2010 22:59 CDT details
You Save: $9.80 (82%)
New (49) from $5.31
Seller: ZoverstocksUSA
Rating:  278 reviews
Sales Rank: 1054
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.5
UPC: 075992717625
EAN: 0075992717625
ASIN: B000002KAT
Release Date: October 25, 1990
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Astral Weeks | | • | Beside You | | • | Sweet Thing | | • | Cyprus Avenue | | • | The Way Young Lovers Do | | • | Madame George | | • | Ballerina | | • | Slim Slow Slider |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
No Description Available.
Genre: Popular Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 24-JUL-1989
Amazon.com essential recording
Never mind that Van Morrison is one of the most indelible songwriters of the 20th century--take each album on its own terms. On 1968's seminal Astral Weeks, a twentysomething Van Morrison can be found belting his gospelly, bluesy vocals in just as fine a form as he would be 20 years hence. In the sociopolitical context of the times, the album cried out about such ubiquitous '60s themes as cultural oppression and social upheaval. But it is Morrison's vocal dexterity and passion that maintains such timeless appeal. Take tracks like "Madame George" or "Cyprus Avenue" and you'll find such beautiful mourning, it'll be clear why modern songwriter Sinéad O'Connor once publicly exclaimed: "Van Morrison should be friggin' canonized." --Nick Heil
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 60
 The only album that matters June 19, 2010
George W. Davis
You either get it when you listen to it, or you're never going to get it. The only album that matters.
Van really is the man March 20, 2010
B. E Jackson (Pennsylvania)
Before hearing Astral Weeks, I pretty much spent my whole life not really caring for Van Morrison's vocal style one way or the other. Yeah, "Moondance" and "Brown-Eyed Girl" are both wonderful songs, but other than that, I *easily* could have lived without hearing anymore Van Morrison songs.
With Astral Weeks now firmly in my possession, and with an evergrowing desire to hear as many classic albums as possible, I went in expecting to hear a Van Morrison album probably just a *tad* better than usual, and nothing more.
BOY was I wrong. I certainly didn't expect to be completely won over.
Astral Weeks is absolutely incredible the way the entire album builds and builds thanks to the tasty choice of instruments and vocal melodies. Each song really IS an epic and spiritual journey.
The flutes, the piano playing, the saxophone, the acoustic guitar... all these wonderful instruments are constantly appearing throughout the album, and more specifically, constantly appearing between Van's vocal lines. I mean it when I say CONSTANTLY! It never ends! I love it!! This stuff is probably quite melodic and my mind just can't realize it yet. Each musical instrument is included in *just* the right place.
And what about Van's vocal style? I've *never* heard his voice reach to such perfectly emotional heights, as opposed to screechy and somewhat annoying heights on other albums and songs. Nope, his voice feels really comfortable on here, and as a result, it's easier to appreciate his style, and see why everyone makes such a big deal about his singing voice.
Trust me, I'm usually a pretty stubborn person when it comes to joining in with the majority in declaring such and such is a classic album (usually I *strongly* disagree with most of the supposed classics out there).
But in this particular case, I can't imagine Van Morrison capable of producing another album anywhere near as brilliant as Astral Weeks. Maybe he can and I'm simply underestimating the guy, but the other Morrison albums I've heard weren't able to move me *anywhere* as much as this one.
Please tell me I'm not just imagining such a perfect album. The BIG question of the day is this- why in the HECK aren't radio stations playing anything from this album? I mean really- classic rock FM radio stations play absolutely NONE of these songs. Never did, never will. What's up with that??? Are they not aware how mega-popular and critically acclaimed this album is?
Perhaps the album wasn't considered such a big deal back in 1968 and it's simply an example where time has allowed Astral Weeks to reach legendary status. Who knows.
Anyway, yeah, if you're like me and never particularly cared for Van Morrison (mainly because of his screechy voice) Astral Weeks is quite possibly the album that will completely change your mind and finally show you why the guy's been so popular the last 40 years. Incredible!
The Best March 8, 2010
R. Robbins
Astral Weeks and Big Pink by the Band are ties as the best popular music albums of all time. Period.
Strangely Spiritual February 8, 2010
M. Carter (USA)
Every time I listen to this album I am transported to another place. Or time. Or mindset. It's truly psychedelic, even though it really doesn't belong in the category of psychedelic rock. Something about it grabs you right in the heart and will not let go. It sticks with you, and the more you listen to it the more you understand. But you never have it solved. It's best to approach this album with a free afternoon because if you really, truly let it speak to you it will leave you in tears. An absolute must for anyone who wants to really know Van Morrison.
A must have masterpiece January 18, 2010
Brian Rand (Northern Colorado USA)
A total mood setting piece. kick back, smoke a cigarette, and drink the hard stuff on ice. This is a no brainer. You have to have this in your collection. If you already know about this, then you should consider getting Bang Masters as a companion album.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 60
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