Van Morrison( Which One)

Astral Weeks (his first) or Poetic Champions Compose - the first that I ever bought after hearing tracks on the Richard Skinner Show on a Saturday afternoon many moons ago.....

Regards

Neil

quote:

Originally posted by badlyread:
Astral Weeks (his first) or Poetic Champions Compose - the first that I ever bought after hearing tracks on the Richard Skinner Show on a Saturday afternoon many moons ago.....

Regards

Neil

you beat me to it

I would suggest "It's Too late To Stop Now" - possibly one of the greatest live albums ever made. It's a good overview of his career and features some good covers too.

While "Astral Weeks" is considered by many to be his masterpiece it isn't the easiest 'introduction' to Van Morrison. "Moondance", the follow up, is equally brilliant but more accessible, so that could be a good starting point too.

as well as those already entioned i like this..

Astral Weeks stands out for me.

St Dom's Preview is perhaps my all time fav Van album; closely followed by Into the Music...

Strike that last statement - the two are on equal footings - not a poor track between them. Closely followed by Moondance and I have a real soft spot for His Band and the Street Choir.

Those to my mind are the classics and you can't go wrong with any of them. A couple of more contemplative ones are Sense of Wonder and Poetic Champions Compose - great Sunday morning listening.

Astral Weeks has the ultimate classic Van Morrison album badge - all the critics rave about it - and it is a magnificent body of work; but I don't go back to it very often - certainly nowhere near as often as the ones mentioned above.

Peter

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:
Astral Weeks stands out for me.

Yes I agree - side two especially of Astral Weeks is stunning. It's definitely one of those pieces of vinyl I return to again and again - and to be honest I'm not even a big fan.

Andy

Looks like Astral Weeks wins

My luck it will be the only one he doesnt have

Thanks again

Stevie,
'Into the music' was my introduction to Van the Man and he has never failed (!) to deliver since (The New York sessions being the exception-absolute pants IMHO, fulfilling a contractural obligation , nothing more).
Astral Weeks, of course a seminal piece of work, however, I have banged on about it so often on this site, for me,I feel that 'Live at the Grand Opera House Belfast' is hard to beat. The backing vocals are angelic and the whole band fall into line just as Van likes them to. I can almost see him conducting.
I have Too late to stop now, a great album there's no doubt, but for me Belfast just does it.
As an interesting aside, 'Keep it Simple' is a little gem and 'Magic Time' is worth it for the song 'Just like Greta'.

I'd add Tupelo Honey to a very good list

I would also go for the live "It's Too Late to Stop Now" which not only contains all of the classics but, in it's remastered format, is a fine sounding album with a great "being there" feeling. Come to think of it, I was - but Birmingham Town Hall not where the album was recorded.

Have a good day,

Ron

Another vote for Astral Weeks, but Keep It Simple always floats back to the top of the recent crop
Cheers
John

quote:

Originally posted by Howlinhounddog:
Stevie,
SNIP.... of course a seminal piece of work, however, I have banged on about it so often on this site, for me,I feel that 'Live at the Grand Opera House Belfast' is hard to beat. The backing vocals are angelic and the whole band fall into line just as Van likes them to. I can almost see him conducting.
I have Too late to stop now, a great album there's no doubt, but for me Belfast just does it.
.....

I share your enthusiasm for this album, there is indeed something magical about the whole performance. Right from the intro to 'Into the Mystic'.

Cheers lads maybe ill buy two Van Morrison albums

Astral Weeks for me, but I'm a fan of Moondance as well.

Moondance,
Saint Dominic's Preview
It's too late to stop now
Veedon Fleece,
Common One,
Avalon Sunset.

And of course, Astral Weeks. But, I'd leave that one for a bit later.

'Astral Weeks' and 'Moondance', two of the greatest albums of all time!

I'd start with Moondance, some fabulous music and much more represntative of the mans later work than Astral Weeks. The opening to And It Stoned Me is sublime, stays with you forever.

I had MoonDance when it came out it's just wonderful, only recently did I get Astral Weeks. My dealer said it was done right after his wife passed and all the jazz musicians are long gone but top of their class so it's quite different.

Well got two of his albums

Album 1 Astral Weeks

Album 2 Avalon sunset

Out of the two i prefer Avalon Sunset

Regards

Astrals Weeks will grow on you, give it time. But, I'll say it again, 'Poetic Champions Compose' is the one to get.

Neil

Heard Poetic Champions Compose, today for the first time and really liked it.

Common One is also worth a listen for 'Summertime In England' alone