Such a huge statement but I completely agree.

It's funny but I'm not sure that there is another artist who has had such a long career where people are often such huge fans of one of his albums. And they think it utterly dwarfs the rest of his output.

There are "Astral Weeks fans" and then there are "Van Morrison fans" it sometimes seems.

Well, I love the rest of his 70's work, especially Veedon Fleece and St. Dominic's. But faced with the decision to keep either Astral or the rest of Van's discography, I'd choose the former.

Astral Weeks is the greatest work of art I've ever encountered and honestly has affected me and informed me more than most real people I've ever met. It's such a huge part of my life I can't even begin to explain. Nothing short of a staggering, truly life-changing piece of music.

Moondance is just as good imo.

I feel that way about Beach Boys fans.

My friend told me recently that his parents were at Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl. That must've been pretty awesome.

Veedon Fleece is stupidly good.

I concur.


That sounds incredible.

Saw Van live t'other day in 1000 seater theatre. Exactly the right sort of venue for him and he was on excellent vocal form. His band, as standard, superb. Good addition of trombone player to the line up.
Any and all of the songs where he stretches out and has various passages with contrasting dynamics (In The Garden, It's All In The Game/You Know What They're Writing About) are absolutely golden live music experiences.
St James Infirmary was a welcome surprise too.
In conclusion, go see him if he's anywhere near you on tour, especially if he's not playing some cavernous bowl of a venue.

i'd love to see him in a smaller venue like that...

Nice, though I prefer this later version:



I've always thought the Van Morrison of Them always had a distracting touch of the Jaggers about him.

Does anyone have a link for It's Too Late To Stop Now? Lost my copy somewhere. Thanks!

This album is out of print it seems but it's got so many gems.