Van Morrison - Astral Weeks

Never mind that Van Morrison is one of the most indelible songwriters of the 20th century--take each album on its own terms. On 1968's seminal Astral Weeks, a twentysomething Van Morrison can be found belting his gospelly, bluesy vocals in just as fine a form as he would be 20 years hence. In the sociopolitical context of the times, the album cried out about such ubiquitous '60s themes as cultural oppression and social upheaval. But it is Morrison's vocal dexterity and passion that maintains such timeless appeal. Take tracks like "Madame George" or "Cyprus Avenue" and you'll find such beautiful mourning, it'll be clear why modern songwriter Sinéad O'Connor once publicly exclaimed: "Van Morrison should be friggin' canonized." --Nick Heil

     

• Warner Bros. Records - 8122-79907-1 (Europe) LP
• Warner Bros. Records - WS 1768 (US) LP
• Warner Bros. Records - WS 1768 (UK) LP
• Warner Bros. Records - K 46024 (Europe) LP
• Warner Bros. Records - K 46024 (UK) LP
• Warner Bros. Records - K 46024 (Germany) LP
• WEA - W 46024 (Italy) LP
• Midi - MID 26 004 (Germany) LP
• Warner Bros. Records - R1 1768 (US) LP
• Warner Bros. Records - HWBS 321-101 (Spain) LP
• Warner Bros. - Seven Arts Records - WS 1768 (Germany) LP

Images from Vinyl Releases of Astral Weeks

Tracks

• )   In The Beginning
• A1)   Astral Weeks
• A2)   Beside You
• A3)   Sweet Thing
• A4)   Cyprus Avenue
• )   Afterwards
• B1)   Young Lovers Do
• B2)   Madame George
• B3)   Ballerina
• B4)   Slim Slow Slider

Track listing above is from Warner Bros. Records - 8122-79907-1 (Europe) LP

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