Van Morrison - Astral Weeks
|
List Price: Our Price: $10.99 You Save: $0.99 (8%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $4.26 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Astral Weeks
Free Music Review: What Can I Say
Hit: 5 Stars
Love it, Love it, Love it. Being the fan of Van that I am, it would be hard for me to critique anything unfavorably that the man has done. I have a dozen or so of Van's CD's, but this is one of my all-time favorites. Every song on the CD is masterful.
When the mood strikes me, I like to put on this CD, pour a glass of wine and sit by myself for some pleasurable listening.
Free Music Review: Brilliant but not for all
Hit: 5 Stars
Well first, I think this album is absolutely brilliant.. Why?!? Well, for many of the reasons that some listeners reviewing it didn't like it.. What appears to be loose structure, thick mixes of swirling instruments and all around experimental composition in all senses of instrumentation and Lyricism. Being a musician and writer, I use it as an example of being able to produce a piece of work that is absolutely honest and true to its time.
Once when I was dating a girl, her brother knew that I was a "Van Fan" and asked me which CD he should get and obviously I stated "Astral Weeks". He bought and two weeks later told me he would NEVER trust my opinion again.. He stated "Why would you recommend an Van album that didn't have Brown Eyed Girl on it"..
The Music.. As far as I can tell, their is not an Electric instrument on the album.. All acoustic guitars, Upright bass, trap drum kit, Flutes, horns, Vibraphone as well as other acoustic instruments but truthfully, I have never been able to pinpoint an electric instrument on any of the songs.. PURE musical tone.. It is fused with Elements of Jazz, blues, folk and always with Van's twist of Traditional Irish influence.
I have seen many state that they find "Beside You" To be more of the "Annoying" Songs but truthfully, It is really my favorite..
I would also say if you are a fan of Counting Crows, you should purchase this album.. I saw them a few years back and midst one of their songs, Adam Duritz sang "And I will walk and talk in gardens all misty wet with rain". I looked around to see a few jump up and down with ecstatic approval of what appears to be Adam's approval and admiration of this recording..
Free Music Review: Great Album
Hit: 5 Stars
I highly recommend this album. Van Morrison appeals to me personally because his music can be very versatile. Like most everyone, before buying this CD I had known Brown Eyed Girl, Domino, and a few of Van's more widely-released songs. I was surprised to listen to Astral Weeks, though, because it is so much more intimate and personal.
Van Morrison's music reflects an interesting mix of rock and jazz, which accounts for much of the versatility of his released work. This early album especially has clear jazz influences and an improvisatory nature. As a music lover, I think it has a very unique and pleasant sound. The album's instrumentation includes flute, strings, guitar, acoustic bass, and drums, and combines with Van's unique vocal style to produce a variety of moods and emotions on the CD's eight tracks. I enjoy the whole set, especially the first five songs; in fact, "Sweet Thing" is probably one of my favorite songs ever.
Overall, this CD comes highly recommended. With downloading so integrated into our society, sometimes it is nice to buy and have a complete album in hand--Astral Weeks should be that album. Each song is great, and combines with the others to create an even better album. Van Morrison aficionados or amateurs can all appreciate this unique collection.
Free Music Review: Another World/Another Time...Ain't Nothing But a Stranger in This World
Hit: 5 Stars
This album remains an enigma because it's Van Morrison's most critically acclaimed album, yet it doesn't contain any "hits". Most people are familiar with Van Morrison, may have heard this is the best one from reading Rolling Stone or something, but are unfamiliar with all the tracks. So, here are some things you need to know...
1. This album is NOT for everybody. Normal people who take huge amounts of interest in mainstream tripe such as reality shows, tabloid magazines, American Idol, Nickelback, the Bush Adminstration, as well as those who do things like drive too slow in the fast lane, think ALL kids are cute, or annoy others in restaurants and theatres with senseless yapping about meaningless topics, should steer clear of this album. The lyrics of the first track, also entitled Astral Weeks, declares "I am nothing but a stranger in this world." This album is intended for those with similar beliefs and experience what society considers "abnormal" thought process. In fact, we kinda hate you people.
2. This is an EXPERIMENTAL PUNK album. Astral Weeks is in the same category as The Velvet Underground, Wire, Sonic Youth, The Jesus & Mary Chain, etc. The publications that rate this album the highest are also the same publications that rate albums like Daydream Nation and Marquee Moon so high. Visit fastnbulbous.com to see Astral Weeks at #3 right behind The Stooges & Talking Heads.
It belongs in this category because it does not conform to any uniform standard of music, is free of structure, choruses, and the same bland tunings that every other band uses. Furthermore, as mentioned before, its targeted audience is unique people with different thinking patterns, strangers in this world. It's a mixture of tones (instruments & vocals) harmoniously combined to create the perfect sound.
3. Contrary to some people's opinions who do not like the album, this is NOT hippy music, nor a product of 1968. There is no resemblance whatsoever to Donovan, The Youngbloods or anything psychadelic. While it may be good listening for drug-induced euphoric late-nights, there should be no comparisons to Uriah Heep.
It breaks down like this...if you're definition of brilliant is being unique and unconventional, you are considered a bit unique and brilliant yourself, buy the album right away and prepare to become seriously addicted within a few weeks.
If you have interest in Van Morrison b/c you heard Brown Eyed Girl at a wedding reception, or playing over the intercom at the grocery store while you were getting the latest on Brittney's new baby, I encourage you to check Van Morrison's greatest hits and skip this one.
If the other CD you own is a Shania Twain, if you're puzzled why Lindsey Lohan hasn't been nominated for any awards, or bummed because Joan of Arcadia is a re-run this week, not only skip the album, but also avoid dating any person who claims to be an all-time fave.
If you consider Blink-182 to be a legitimate punk band, shop at Hot Topic, and are eagerly anticipating going to The Warped Tour, you may dig this album, but not yet. Wait a few years for that all to pass. While this is very popular with the punk/alternative crowd, there's not one crunching guitar on the whole album. This is pretty advanced listening also. Next you'll hit Radiohead, then venture into more obscure territories, then this. Be patient.
Die-hard heavy metal fans who judge ALL music by the sheer heaviness of its guitar riffs should steer clear too.
Free Music Review: Astral Weak
Hit: 1 Stars
You'd have to be an absolute idiot to enjoy this. It doesn't even have Brown Eyed Girl which is the only half decent thing Mr Morrison ever did. And what sort of name is Van? Stick to Ronan Keating for that bit of Irish soul.