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.

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.

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

Musicbanter's Top 100 Albums of the 80s

Oh yeah :pimp:

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!

vanmorrisonnews is the best poster ever.

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

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

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

Last Night's Setlist From Massey Hall in Toronto 07-Jul-08

Setlist:
Wild Night
Tupelo Honey> Why Must I Always Explain
Keep It Simple
That's Entrainment
In the Afternoon>Raincheck
Wavelength
Moondance
Help Me
Lover Come Back
Sometimes We Cry
St. James Infirmary
Cleaning Windows
Comfortably Numb
Ballerina
St. Dominic's Preview
And the Healing Has Begun
Gloria