Remastered 180g Astral Weeks

Leo,

I have not heard the remastered vinyl but Van is recording a live version of this album for release next year. My favorite from Van the man.

I haven't heard the new Astral Weeks reissue yet, but Michael Fremer from Stereophile has reviewed it very favorably on his music review web site (musicangle.com). I was in LA last week, and added an extra day so I could see Van perform the Astral weeks show at the Hollywood Bowl. He had an all star version of his band with him for the first set, which was a very nice cross section of his greatest hits, and then they came back with Richard Davis and Peter Erskine and a more jazz leaning band with a flutist who used to play with Van in the era of Common One, and a small string section. It was one of the best concerts I have seen in years, very highly rehearsed, and Van was in great voice. I would expect a DVD and CD of both sets to be released as a new live album which will feature Astral Weeks, but will include other material.

Good listening,

Bruce