Van Morrison - Astral Weeks
Van Morrison did a great job on his Austin City Limits show recorded in 2006. There he was calling out the songs to what I call a world class Honky Tonk band with piano, fiddle, and steel guitar. Of course the backup singers were as good as you can hear and when Van would play Sax one of the singers would play trumpet giving them a horn section. The variety in styles, not just songs, was amazing. It seemed they could do anything. And they did. Including, of course, "Gloria" and "Brown Eyed Girl".
more...
Click here for the PBS page on that show.
Austin City Limits - Van Morrison 2006
When "Astral Weeks" was recorded Van Morrison was 23 years old and singing with a Jazz band made of incredible musicians.
... three jazz musicians of the highest calibre: bassist Richard Davis, who had played with the likes of Miles Davis and Sarah Vaughan, guitarist Jay Berliner, best known for his work with Charles Mingus, and drummer Connie Kay, a member of the esteemed Modern Jazz Quartet...
- Sean O'Hagan - Is this the best album ever made?
Be sure to click through to read the whole fascinating story. "Astral Weeks" remains one of my favorite albums and if you've never lived with it you should give it a few weeks of your life.
Morrison has recreated "Astral Weeks" as a live show. He played the whole album live at The Hollywood Bowl on November 7 and 8, 2008, just two weeks ago. He also played repertoire from before and after "Astral Weeks". These three videos are from that show. There are many more on the tubes.
Van Morrison - Caravan
You can't stop us
On the road to Freedom
You can't stop us
Cause our eyes can see
Men with insight
Men of granite
Knights in armor
Bent on chivalry
- Van Morrison - Tupelo Honey
Van Morrison - Tupelo Honey / Why Must I Always Explain?
As you can see he's still Van.
Please join me in comments to discuss Van Morrison's music and listen to some of our favorite songs.
Thanks,
Hairy Larry