Van Morrison (album, band, songs)

JayJamJah · 03-07-2008, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by achoo

astral weeks is one of the most beautiful albums i've ever heard. i also love his band "Them." i'm not to big on his later stuff though.

His peak was certainly early; but really he was prolific and consistent (with a very few exceptions) for 15 years.Including the entire 1970's; From Astral Weeks to Common One is flawless save a slight post-Veedon Fleece Funk.

Even his stuff since the mid eighties while not at the same level as at worst tolerable and has an occasional gem like "Avalon Sunset" or "Days Like This"

What's unique about Morrison is his ability to make an entire album feel like one song.

Find me a Van album with one bad song or a few so-so's...you can't! You either dig the concept or not and if you do it's end to end.

You rarely experience a Morrison LP as a collection of songs so much an "experience"

There is no greater example then Astral Weeks; but St. Dominic's Preview, Veedon Fleece and Common One are comparable efforts with the same indistinguishable quality that makes it so captivating.

This is not to say there are not tracks that stand out, of course there are. But what's unique is that for each person it's a different set; For me; SDP, Into the Mystic, Sweet Thing, Bulbs and Wild Nights are tracks that transcend context.

Very excited for the next and 40th (I believe) album from Van the Man.

**sleepy jack** · 03-07-2008, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayJamJah

Even his stuff since the mid eighties while not at the same level as at worst tolerable and has an occasional gem like "Avalon Sunset" or "Days Like This"

For a singer/songwriter from a prior decade to be above mediocre in the 80s is a pretty interesting feat when you think about it. Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Marianne Faithful all went to hell in the 80s. Luckily we had Mr. Waits to get us through so I think Van deserves props for not completely sucking it up.

jamerson macmanus · 03-07-2008, 02:51 AM

^^^ good call with tom waits in the 80's. him, elvis costello (for the most part), michael jackson, prince, and pixies saved that decade

**sleepy jack** · 03-07-2008, 03:01 AM

Musicbanter's Top 100 Albums of the 80s

Oh yeah

vanmorrisonnews · 03-07-2008, 08:14 PM

The stuff Van put out in the 80s is amongst the best stuff he ever did... just off the too of me head:

-Poetic Champions Compose (1987)
-No Guru, No Method, No Teacher (1986)
-Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart (1983)
-Beautiful vision (1982)
-Irish Heartbeat (1988)

All classics in my Van scorecard!

Comus · 03-07-2008, 08:16 PM

vanmorrisonnews is the best poster ever.

Wayfarer · 03-07-2008, 08:41 PM

I never really bothered with any of his material, but today I decided to give "Astral Weeks" a listen and really wish I'd done so sooner. 'mazing album.

JayJamJah · 03-08-2008, 12:12 AM

That's great Wayfarer; I recommend you try Veedon Fleece ASAP.

vanmorrisonnews · 03-10-2008, 02:59 PM

Van was interviewed on BBC radio today. Check out the Van Morrison News blog below.

vanmorrisonnews · 03-13-2008, 08:42 AM

12-Mar-08 Austin SXSW Concert

Setlist:
1. This Love Of Mine
2. Instrumental
3. Playhouse
4. Magic Time
5. Moondance
6. I Can't Stop Loving You
7. How Can A Poor Boy?
8. That's Entrainment
9. Keep It Simple
10. School Of Hard Knocks
11. No Thing
12. Song Of Home
13. Soul
14. Don't Go To Nightclubs Anymore/Shake Your Moneymaker
15. End Of The Land
16. Bright Side Of The Road
17. Saint James Infirmary
18. Behind The Ritual

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03-07-2008, 02:51 AM
jamerson macmanus Groupie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dayton, Ohio 1903 Posts: 31	^^^ good call with tom waits in the 80's. him, elvis costello (for the most part), michael jackson, prince, and pixies saved that decade __________________ theres a solitary man crying hold me

03-07-2008, 03:01 AM
sleepy jack Bone Machine Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Jesusland Posts: 17,206	Musicbanter's Top 100 Albums of the 80s Oh yeah __________________ You're so evil and I'm so good, I'll make it up to you someday.

03-07-2008, 08:14 PM
vanmorrisonnews Groupie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kingdom of Nigh Posts: 7	The stuff Van put out in the 80s is amongst the best stuff he ever did... just off the too of me head: -Poetic Champions Compose (1987) -No Guru, No Method, No Teacher (1986) -Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart (1983) -Beautiful vision (1982) -Irish Heartbeat (1988) All classics in my Van scorecard! __________________ http://vanmorrisonnews.blogspot.com

03-07-2008, 08:16 PM
Comus I'm better than you Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 462	vanmorrisonnews is the best poster ever. __________________ You dangling swinging Hanging, spinning, aftermath Your soft white flesh turns past me slaked with blood Your evil eyes more damning than a demon's curse Your lovely body soon caked with mud As I carry you to your grave my arms your hearse You stand before me defenceless Your stare unchanging silent, cold, intense sears my brain

03-07-2008, 08:41 PM
Wayfarer Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,046	I never really bothered with any of his material, but today I decided to give "Astral Weeks" a listen and really wish I'd done so sooner. 'mazing album. __________________ The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.

03-08-2008, 12:12 AM
JayJamJah Revisonists History Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The end of the Earth Posts: 882	That's great Wayfarer; I recommend you try Veedon Fleece ASAP.

03-10-2008, 02:59 PM
vanmorrisonnews Groupie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kingdom of Nigh Posts: 7	Van was interviewed on BBC radio today. Check out the Van Morrison News blog below. __________________ http://vanmorrisonnews.blogspot.com

03-13-2008, 08:42 AM
vanmorrisonnews Groupie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kingdom of Nigh Posts: 7	12-Mar-08 Austin SXSW Concert Setlist: 1. This Love Of Mine 2. Instrumental 3. Playhouse 4. Magic Time 5. Moondance 6. I Can't Stop Loving You 7. How Can A Poor Boy? 8. That's Entrainment 9. Keep It Simple 10. School Of Hard Knocks 11. No Thing 12. Song Of Home 13. Soul 14. Don't Go To Nightclubs Anymore/Shake Your Moneymaker 15. End Of The Land 16. Bright Side Of The Road 17. Saint James Infirmary 18. Behind The Ritual __________________ http://vanmorrisonnews.blogspot.com