Van Morrison - help for the uninformed / recently converted.

Posted by: james n on 09 May 2012

Apart from occasionally delving into a best of album in my collection I've not really come across Van Morrision much. I bought Moondance a few days back and have really been enjoying it. I've got Astral Weeks on order but would appreciate some guidance on what to buy and what to avoid.

 

Cheers

 

James

Posted on: 09 May 2012 by Gale 401

James,

I have most of Vans albums on CD and Vinyl.

This is still my most loved and most played.

Stu.

Posted on: 09 May 2012 by Richwleeds
The stuff he did after Astral & Moondance is pretty hard to beat - Tupelo Honey, Band & Street Choir, St Dominic's Preview and Veedon Fleece. Too Late To Stop Now from the same period is one of the best live albums ever. He ran out of steam for a few years but bounced back strongly in the late 70's/early 80's - try Common One, Into the Music or (from a bit later) Poetic Champions Compose. Enlightenment and Hymns to the Silence would be my next choices and you can ignore most of the rest of the 90's with the exception of The Healing Game. The last few years have also been a bit hit and miss - the best being Keep it Simple. Hope that helps
Posted on: 09 May 2012 by Rattlesnaic

Must inclued Avalon Sunset - Stunning!

Posted on: 09 May 2012 by Bruce Woodhouse

'Still on Top' is a decent 2 disc 'Best of'.

 

I liked 'Days Like This' and 'Healing Games' of recent output.

 

Bruce

Posted on: 10 May 2012 by King Size
Originally Posted by Richwleeds:
The stuff he did after Astral & Moondance is pretty hard to beat - Tupelo Honey, Band & Street Choir, St Dominic's Preview and Veedon Fleece. Too Late To Stop Now from the same period is one of the best live albums ever. He ran out of steam for a few years but bounced back strongly in the late 70's/early 80's - try Common One, Into the Music or (from a bit later) Poetic Champions Compose. Enlightenment and Hymns to the Silence would be my next choices and you can ignore most of the rest of the 90's with the exception of The Healing Game. The last few years have also been a bit hit and miss - the best being Keep it Simple. Hope that helps

I was going to post me recommendation until I read this and realised Richwleeds had already written it for me.  "St. Dominics Preview" and "It's Too Late To Stop Now" are probably my two most listened to Van Morrison albums.  

 

As for following "Moondance" with "Astral Weeks", be warned they are very different beasts.   

Posted on: 10 May 2012 by Quad 33

I prefer Van's voice on his earlier albums, find his voice a little 'shouty' on his later work! But love most of his work.  My favourite all time live album  & in my opinion a must have Van album is " Its to Late to Stop Now" recorded in 1973. Also love "Van Morrison His Band and The Street Choir" this Cd includes classics like Domino & Crazy Face. 

 

Hope you enjoy your voyage "Into the mystic  with Van the Man".

 

Regards Graham.

Posted on: 10 May 2012 by Richard D

Some fine recommendations mentioned above, I would like to add Hymns To The Silence, under rated in my view and for a live set, you would be hard pushed to find a better one than this:

Posted on: 10 May 2012 by Cat lover

i 'm surprised that no one has mentioned 'No Guru, No Method, No Teacher', which is recalls the melancholy Van of Astral Weeks, St Dominic's Preview, and Veedon Fleece rather than the upbeat Mondance and Tupelo Honey. His post-1980 records are mainly a mix of both.

Posted on: 10 May 2012 by james n

Folks - thanks very much for all your responses. CD's ordered

 

James

 

Posted on: 10 May 2012 by Salmon Dave

'Also love "Van Morrison His Band and The Street Choir" this Cd includes classics like Domino & Crazy Face. '

 

Me too - very underrated. Has that great dry 'under-produced' sound of the Beach Boys' Wild Honey album.

Posted on: 10 May 2012 by Richard Dane

This is definitely my favourite VM release, mainly because it has the simply wonderful T.B. Sheets.  The Mastersound Gold CD is usually available for not too much money and the SQ is very good indeed.

 

Posted on: 10 May 2012 by james n

Thanks Richard. The postman will be kept busy !

 

James

Posted on: 10 May 2012 by Blueknowz

If you want Live this is a must have!

Posted on: 10 May 2012 by Gale 401

Live at Leeds Castle a few years back  is brilliant.

Its never been put out though..

Stu.

Posted on: 10 May 2012 by glevethan
Originally Posted by Gale 401:

Live at Leeds Castle a few years back  is brilliant.

Its never been put out though..

Stu.

 

 

When I lived in Italy during the early 80's I saw him perform at the historical Opera House of Florence.  Boy was he excited by the very fact of being in such an historical venue.  One of the best shows I have ever seen - it was not a Rock n Roll concert but rather a full blown SOUL REVUE.

 

Gregg

 

PS  to the person who posted Live at the Grand Opera House in Belfast - listen to the track "Cleaning Windows"

Posted on: 11 May 2012 by Premmyboy

Saw Van at Kenwood House a couple years back and he was superb and did an astonishing version of comfortably numb (Pink floyd).

Posted on: 11 May 2012 by Quad 33
Originally Posted by Premmyboy:

Saw Van at Kenwood House a couple years back and he was superb and did an astonishing version of comfortably numb (Pink floyd).

There is a superb version of Confortably Numb on the sound track Cd from the film " The Departed" by Van, Roger Walters &The Band.

 

Regards Graham