Van Morrison Recommendations Please

Moondance is by far my favorite.

and a great live album



Regards

Diccus

I'd say Diccus pretty much has it covered. 1974's Veedon Fleece is a favourite of mine, too. Later, in the 80s, I'd say things got patchy. I like some of Avalon Sunset, and I have someother of the later albums, like Poetic Champions Compose, if you like Van with the Chieftains then there's Irish Heartbeat.

Regards

Peter

Into the Music and Common One are favourites of mine.

555, I agree with Diccus selection but would add Live at the Grand Opera Belfast (easier to get than 'Too late') and for an outsider-Magic Time
regards
Charlie

Astral Weeks. For me its in the top 5 best albums ever made.

Also get Irish Heartbeat if you like his 'Long Black Veil' Chieftains collaboration. Its a whole album of the same people doing the same thing.

Jonathan

Thanks to everyone for your help.

Sadly Astral Weeks, Moondance, Magic Time , Live at the Grand Opera Belfast & Irish Heartbeat aren't on the SHM list. I am researching best available CD for these – any advice gratefully received!

Diccus - is the bottom of your favs' the 'Too late' mentioned by Howlinhounddog?
There is an SHM CD called 'It's Too Late To Stop Now (Live)' – is this the same one?

I have ordered SHMs - Into The Music & It's Too Late To Stop Now (Live).

Thanks again - John

John

Hope you enjoy into the music - it's probably my favorite VM album. In the same breath I would also suggest St Dominic's Preview and Moondance as being right up there and I have a real soft spot for His Choir and the Street Band.

Astral Weeks is blindingly good but the cluster I mentioned above hang together in a way which to me represents him at his prime.

Peter

Moondance. I've gone off this artist, however.

I think that "No guru, no method, no teacher" is a great album.
Better on vinyl.
imho

quote:

"No guru, no method, no teacher"

Just bought the remastered version of this out of our local charity shop at lunchtime. Never heard any of the tracks off it but the titles seem quite 'folky'. I'd have probably passed it by had I not seen this thread this week.

Looking forward to getting it on tonight.

Jonathan

NGNMNT is one f VM's meditational style albums - there were several before and after; and I agree that this is a good example - there are others such as Beautiful Vision and A Sense of Wonder; but I have found that he. like many other artists, had a period of musical entertainment which exceeded expectations. (see my notes above)

Peter

Have you ever seen him live? he can be brilliant or just obnoxious!

Several times - the best by far was in the Ulster Hall I think during the late '80's when he delivered pure magic - you could have heard a pin drop, so captivated were the audience. I've also seen him play where he has little or no engagement with the audience, going as far as standing with his back to them - like you say, obnoxious beyond belief!! The last time I saw him was in Glasgow a few years back when he shared stage with Bob Dylan - one of his lesser moments as Dylan and his band were on fire that night and blew Van off stage and into the weeds!

Peter

Peter ,I was at that gig in the Ulster Brilliant that night ,last time I saw him Live was at a Festival in Killyleagh Co Down, not his best act of audience participation by a long way!Grumpy ,back to audience during some songs etc,etc

I've always loved moondance, my dealer told me to get Astral Weeks as it was different than anything else and at a time when his wife was dying so very motional and to the core. it's wonderful too.

St Dominics Preview came out when I was in high school. A friend had it and we played it often for the soul, then we'd crank up Zepplin or BLack Sabbath or Tull's Aqualung for the teenage hormone rush. Ah teen angst and hormones.

BBC Radio 2 has a feature with Van in session/ promoting his new album - tonight 7 - 8 pm.

Peter

For something completely different and one of my favorites try:



The songs of VM produced by VM.

quote:

Diccus - is the bottom of your favs' the 'Too late' mentioned by Howlinhounddog?
There is an SHM CD called 'It's Too Late To Stop Now (Live)' – is this the same one?

Indeed it is 555.