Affiliates Work - Astral Weeks

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Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea

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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0075992717625
Label: Warner Bros / Wea
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Warner Bros / Wea
Release Date: 1990-10-25
Studio: Warner Bros / Wea

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Editorial Reviews:

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

Spotlight customer reviews:

Customer Rating:

Summary: Perfect
Comment: After listening to this album for the gazillionth time the other night, it occurred to me that if I had to pick just one album to take to the grave this would be it. While I love much of VM's music, for me Astral Works is only approached by the almost-as-wonderful Veedon Fleece.

I'm not going to write a lengthy review, many others have already done so much better than I could but I figured I should give perhaps the best album ever recorded a 5 star rating. So here it is.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Landmark
Comment: Sit down, shut up, load one in the bowl and listen to this album and it will change the way you listen to music forever

Customer Rating:

Summary: Astral Squeaks
Comment: I know that this is a classic, I know that it has sold a zillion copies and that it estblished Van as a "great and as an innovator." I know that everybody has covered "Moondance", probably even The New Christie Minstrels.

In spite of all that, I cannot stand it. I am not concerned that it is very much of its time. I am not concerned that it was the start of endless records of two/three chord bashes. I am not concerned that it encouraged Van to play sax, which is not good. No, my dislike is very black and white - I can't BEAR his voice. It's a yes or no thing, I guess. I am sure that it is deliberate but he cannot seem to hold a note for more than half a beat, and his tone is so harsh. Listen to the middle section of Moondance - it would give an elephant migraine. From Veedon Fleece until the present day he seems to have a mouthful of marbles and a swollen tongue - and the end-notes are about one tenth of a crotchet.

When a flatmate played in incessantly when it first came out, those not in favour braced themselves in aticipation of the hard-edged squawks and clipped endings. It was christened "Astral Squeaks" and I cannot think of it as anything else. Also, I know that he is a very private person for one who tours endlessly, but why does he have to cultivate the on-stage persona of bad temper and aggression? You won't see that from Gary Brooker or any of his near-contemporaries, even on the Oirish scene.

I tried again recently becuase my boy is playing a few numbers in a band. No, sorry, it's still unlistenable.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Delicious Exasperation
Comment: What is expressed in these songs, in the energy contained in them is something that I connected with very deeply. I think that is a lot of what art is: how well something is expressed, some feeling, emotion, struggle.... To me it soothed my soul, brought meaning to my pain - told me that through it - works such as these can be accomplished. This piece of music is a pinnacle example of the outpouring of a person's soul. When people talk of this album, I have heard of them speak of it in terms of soul. And I fully agree. I feel that the palpable rawness expressed is something rare, a peek into a souls struggle. And the fight is played out in these songs. What a battle, get a front row seat.

Customer Rating:

Summary: pretty instrumentation, but...
Comment: I like the instrumentation of this CD; it's got a lot going on in ways that you don't normally hear, but the actual melodies get kinda boggy about halfway through (or sooner), and if Van Morrison CAN sing (like a pro) he blatantly refuses to do so. Another perfect example of how this "they/we write their/our own songs, so they're/we're better" mentality is ruining music; not that it's a new thing, obviously; this album came out in 1968 after all, before The Beatles broke up, but I think music would be more enjoyable if people would quit trying to do everything themselves and work as a team; i.e.: someone writes the music, someone else arranges it, someone else sings it, someone else performs it...of course it's impressive when someone can do all of that and pull it off without a scratch, but most artists can't.

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