Well said sir. Nice video. Great list. I like your love of 80's Van. My own list would look something like this. 1. Into The Music. 2. Veedon Fleece. 3. No Guru, No Method, No Teacher. 4. Astral Weeks. 5. Hymns To The Silence. 6. Saint Dominic's Preview. 7. Poetic Champions Compose. 8. Common One. 9. A Sense Of Wonder. 10. Enlightenment. I will probably feel differently tomorrow, there are so many brilliant albums to choose from. You're Driving Me Crazy is one of the very few Van albums I don't own, so I must seek it out. Keep up the good work... It's too late to stop now!
Cheers Wickerman-thanks for the kind comments and your top 10- I wouldn't disagree with any of them. Like you mine would probably change on a daily basis, though I suspect that Astral Weeks might for ever be my number 1. Off to see VM in Derry on Wednesday, so really looking forward to that.
Great to see "Veedon Fleece" high up on your list. I speculate a little but i guess to many people, it's a rather unknown album. But it's fantastic. It's on my top three list of all albums, all artists included. It seems like VM himself doesn't play the songs from this album too often? VM could easily arrange a concert around "Veedon Fleece". I hope he can do this sometime.
My sentiments entirely, Stefan. I consider "Veedon Fleece" to be the greatest album, by ANY artist, of all time. Whilst I sympathise with your wish for a "Veedon Fleece" concert, I would suggest that Van's voice in 1974 on that album is so far removed from what he would be capable of delivering now that I don't think he would pull it off successfully.
@@chriscampbell3289 Great to hear that you rank this album so high, I truly understand why. For a long time I thought to be alone, feeling like this, but now I know better. It's simply a masterpiece, this album, from all possible angles. I guess you are right about his voice. But one can still dream!
To be fair, he did a fantastic job of re-working Astral Weeks (Hollywood Bowl), to suit his matured voice. Thats kind of the magic of Van, he can adapt anything to fit with wherever he is in the moment. I'd love to see him have a crack at making one last "stream of consciousness" type album. Something deep and personal, reflecting back on his incredible life. @@chriscampbell3289
One of the best videos I’ve seen about vinyl records. So much love in your choice’s. You can tell that you really love those records. Thanks for sharing!
Great talk about Van´s music and albums. I have recently rediscovered Van Morrison, and this clip has been great for exploring records that I haven´t listen to before. Same thing with the clip of the top ten soul albums. Thanks!
Thanks for a thoughtful analysis. A few of our top picks would overlap, but my list would have to include St. Dominic's Preview, Moondance, Hymns To The Silence, Too Late To Stop Now and maybe even Too Long In Exile and The Philosopher's Stone. I like some of his '80s mysticism, but I guess I'm more into his hard-edged soul music than you appear to be. Good stuff on your list too, though.
Cheers Tom. I wouldn't argue with your suggestions-all great albums. I didn't include 'It's too late to stop now' as I'd already featured it as number one in my top ten live albums.
Great to hear another passionate Van fan. I like your approach of selecting albums for their coherence and I agree that the 80's was a golden period for him. For many years in the 1990's I listened to 'Into the Music' every Sunday morning at high volume and even today it has never lost its power. Think you are too harsh on ' Latest Record Project'. I've been playing in my car regularly since May 2021 and there's some great tracks such as 'Jealousy', 'Big Lie', 'Blue Funk', 'The Long Con' and 'Double Bind' to name just a few. Admittedly a few clunkers but that's not bad out of 28 original songs. By-the-by I think the first 4 songs on 'Roll with the Punches' (blues) and the last 3 songs on side 2 of Hymns to the Silence (romantic) are up there with the best of anything he's ever done. He just has a gift for melody, composition, singing and arrangements. He is definitely a one-off; there are loads of singers like Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen (to name just 3 I love) but there is absolutely no one like Van Morrison. He has created a unique category (a fusion of soul, blues, jazz, pop, rock, celtic) that will never be repeated.
Thanks for your comprehensive and considered comments Roger. I definitely agree with your comments on 'Hymns' and 'Roll with the punches'. The latter, like many of his albums over the past 20 years or so mainly contain two or three genuinely great tracks on each of them. Your comments on 'Latest record project' are very pertinent - I really miss the opportunity to grow into a new album on the car cd (or cassette) player. My car for the past 5 years has been all digital, which I neither understand or enjoy. Thanks again Roger
I have loved Astral Weeks since I bought it in 1973. Since I retired, I relisten to my top 300 albums of all time and rank every track. Astral Weeks always comes out first!
@@VinylMonkey58 1.Astral Weeks 2.Enlightenment 3.Saint Dominic's Preview 4.Avalon Sunset 5.Moondance 6.Veedon Fleece 7.It's Too Late To Stop Now 8.Hard Nose The Highway 9.Wavelength 10.Poetic Champions Compose 11.Into The Music 12.Tupelo Honey 13.His Band And The Street Choir 14.Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart 15.Blowin' Your Mind 16.Astral Weeks Live At The Hollywood Bowl 17.Too Long In Exile 18.Hymns To The Silence 19.Magic Time 20.Days Like This
I love your presentation of your choices man. Astral Weeks and Veedon Fleece is also my top- two Van- albums. Into the Music, probably my number three. I'm a bit surprised that Moondance didn't made your list, but Moondance isn't in my top- 10 Van album list either. As you say here,that album is a bit uneven. One Van album I like a lot is Avalon Sunset. Thanks a lot Mister!
I agree with your verdict about the 1980s. His woice was on top then, and he was still longing for something. "Inarticulate..." is a masterpiece in my ears, but almost never gets mentioned. I would have had to put Avalon sunset and Hymns to the silence in there, and Moondance.
Thanks for your comments Lars, especially about 'Inarticulate'. The other three you mention may well be in my top ten if I did it again sometime-great albums
Great to know there is another Teesside lad as passionate about Sir George Ivan as i am ! Even better that you rate Inarticulate Speech and Beautiful Vision so highly. BV is the album that got me into his music back in 1982 and its still one I listen to regularly.......the smell of the bakery from across the street !! Just hope he comes to play the newly refurbished and totally fantastic Globe Theatre in Stockton sometime soon. Are you going to the Sage in March ?
Cheers John -though us Monkey Hangers don't consider ourselves Teessiders you know:) Yes it would be great to see VM at the Globe. Last time I seen him in our neck of the woods was Boro Town Hall - must be 15-20 years ago now. I seen Nick Cave at the Globe-great gig. I haven't got a ticket for the Sage-couldn't afford it at the time as we'd just shelled out to see him in Derry. I have got tickets for the Black Deer 3 day festival in Kent though, where he's headlining the Sunday night.
Great to ISPOTH- one of my favorites- and Common One- and your top 2 are the same as mine. I also love the SF live album, and Hymns... I have never really listened to Tupelo much so I might give it a go.
I love the list and I agree with your appreciation of 80s Van! Great video. My top five would be: 1. Astral Weeks. 2. Veedon Fleece. 3. No Guru.., 4. Common One. 5. Saint Dominic's Preview. Top 10 is very difficult since I love so many of the albums, so I will leave it at 5. :)
Thanks for the kind comment Gustav. When I started I was pretty sure St Dominics preview would be in the top 10, given how much I love the title track and especially Listen to the lion. It just missed my cut as I felt it was slightly uneven with a couple of slightly weaker shorter tracks.
@@VinylMonkey58 yeah, I understand. Listen to the lion and the title track are essential. As for the shorter tracks, I love Redwood tree, but yes, Gypsy and I will be there are a bit weaker. I think the album makes up for it as a whole, though. :)
Thanks for your kind comment Gibby. When I laid out all 42 VM albums and started my initial sifting I was pretty sure Enlightenment would be up there-but there are just so many great albums that it didn't make it into my personal top 10. Some of Van's very best songs on there, including one of my all time favourites-In the days before rock n roll.
'Well I'm caught one more time, up on Cypress Avenue....' Thanks Mal for a wonderful and knowledgeable ranking of the music. I'd agree with all your ten choices but there are so many more aren't there. I've always been fond of A Period of Transition, and the singing on Wavelength is some of his best. I think you should find another excuse to revisit Van's music because there's a lot more to say, and I like the way you say it. Cheers.
I've tried and tried to like Astral Weeks... but it just hasn't grown on me. I know it's supposed be Van's best work, but to me Moondance is THE Van Morrison album.
No doubt Moondance a great album with some of VMs very best songs. Outside my 10 as I think it's just a little uneven, and as I said, hearing the title track in too many lifts. Thanks for the comment Buzz
I've got to check out some of those you mentioned. I haven't heard a lot of his 80's and forward albums. Common One is a great album. The two I listen to most are Veedon Fleece and St. Dominic's Preview
Spoken right a real real fan (geddit?). Well done. Enjoyed this. You and I might disagree a little on the ranking, but there's quite an overlap, and I appreciate your thoughtful approach. I did my own Top 10 Van on here a few months ago. You can find it on my channel.
Thanks for your kind comments David. Just watched your video-excellent. Nice to hear a Geordie accent on UA-cam. I too love Hyms to the silence-es[pecially the title track. I had 'Its too late to stop now' as my top live album (by any artist) in my top 10 live album video. Cheers from Vinyl Monkey (Hanger-i.e. from Hartlepool)-Malcolm
My 17 year old was conceived and born to No Guru No Method No Teacher. I love Philosophers Stone. You can't leave out Too Late to Stop Now. Duets is a real sleeper. Love that record too. I can't make a top 10. No way. I know it's a sin but I always skip Haunts of Ancient Peace on Common One.
Thanks for your comments Shawn. I didn't leave out 'It's too late etc', I just decided to only include Van's studio albums. I separately did my top 10 live albums (by all artists) and I had that album as my number 1.
Remember listening to Gloria on a friend’s stereo when I was 15. I’m 73 now and he’s still doin’ it. Can’t say that about anyone else except Dylan. And Van in my opinion is more consistent.
I'm a big Van fan also.. Your choices are interesting. I would choose Moondance, It's Too Late To Stop Now ( one of the greatest live albums and the 3 cd set of the other shows), The Healing Game ( re-released on vinyl and also the special cd box set with a fabulous live concert--with one of his best bands that included Georgie Fame, Pee Wee Ellis and Brian Kennedy.) Days Like This, Too Long in Exile are also favourites. As you said, Van has not made a bad album inc Latest Record Project. I've only ever seen him once, as he won't return to Australia and every year when I'm in the USA or Europe I'm never in the same city when he playing. I saw him in Torquay with Chris Barbour supporting him. Not a bad concert but nothing like his live albums. The saving grace was a fabulous duet with Chris of Gloria. Have you seen the film of the Healing Game tour? It was shown on tv in the late 90's. Tremendous. The band is hot. I'll have to go back and re listen to some of your choices.
Cheers Tony, thanks for the comments. I didn't put 'Too Late to stop now' in there as I said I wouldn't consider his live albums for this top 10. I did place it in my top ten live albums (by all artists) in a previous video. I agree that a good case can be made for all the other albums you mention. I have special fond memories of 'Days Like this' as it was released the same year my son was born, and most evenings for months I would rock him to sleep to that album. I've had the pleasure of seeing Van live many times in both England and Ireland, including the Healing Game tour. Previous to that (in the 80s) Pee Wee Ellis was always a brilliant performer. I seen Georgie Fame lead the VM band on 4 or 5 occasions and it was brilliant to witness Fame's infectious extrovert enthusiasm alongside the always more introvert personality of VM. Thanks again Tony, and hope you get to see him live again soon.
Good video with an almost impossible remit, but I find it hard to see why or how you left out Hymns to the Silence, I had it for years before I realised just how good it is ......
Hard to disagree with you Sean-H to the S is a brilliant album and contains some of my favourite VM tracks. I think I got wrapped up in trying to prioritise albums which I felt represented the most complete or coherent or perhaps seamless body of work, and I felt that Hymns didn't hang together quite as tightly as some others. Having said that, it really is one of my favourites.
I just stumbled on your video: Interesting that you have most of the 80’s spiritual searching albums in your list. Here’s my 10: 10. His Band and Street Choir 9. Into the Music 8. The Healing Game 7. Avalon Sunset 6. Enlightenment 5. No Guru, No Method, No Teacher 4. Moondance 3. Hymns to the Silence 2. It’s Too Late to Stop Now 1. Veedon Fleece Awful hard to pick only 10. The Joey DeFrancesco album is deserving of being in the ten as is Poetic Champions.
Thanks for your comment and your great list. Just back from seeing VM at the Black Deer festival. As usual he didn't perform much (any?) of his 80s stuff, but a great gig nonetheless
1.Common one 2. Into The Music 3. Poetic Champions Compose. 4. Days Like This 5. Veedon Fleece 6. No Guru, No Method, No Teacher. 7. Astral Weeks. 8.Beautiful Visiom 9. Moondance 10- Saint Dominic's Preview.
Astral Weeks introduced the world to jazz /rock fusion...thank you Mr. Davis. Oh did i say Van is my second favorite musician of all time, would be my fave but then I heard SoHyang sing....she takes me places i did not know existed. What can i say...im a sucker for existential tour guides.
Sohyang and Van Morrison is surely some out there comparison. I'd never heard of her but have watched/listened to half a dozen songs since your post. I'd surely give her a round of applause if she appeared on the Karaoke at my local - but really - it isn't possible to compare. Thanks for the comment though Larry.
Cheers Leo - I think the answer to that changes over time. Currently I seem to play ' Keep me Singing' and 'Enlightenment' a lot. I remember playing 'Days like This' every day when it came out in 1995. I'm trying to think which of my top 10 I've played the most in the last 5 years or so-probably Veedon Fleece. Thanks for the comment/question.
@@VinylMonkey58 Veedon Fleece is my most played, ironically Astral Weeks is probably least played even though its my favourite. Maybe don't want to get that Moondance effect 😁Going by your choices ,we must have similar tastes as it coincides with my top 10 ..keep up the good work .
Cheers Russell- now you're the only person that's suggested that one-but I always like a contrarian. Thanks for taking the time to watch, comment and share your opinions.
I have to admit to not listening to the whole of this one (yet) as, not really knowing his music and not being a fan of what I have heard , I didn’t see the point. Instead, I decided to go on UA-cam and select ten of the man’s most listened to compositions. As well as listening to them I made a point of reading as many of the comments as I could (stomach). I genuinely tried to set aside what, undoubtedly, are my prejudices in the hope that I might see the light. I remain, I’m sad to report, largely unmoved; something which slightly depresses me, having to acknowledge that I am, without doubt, one of a tiny minority. I thought I’d stop listening once I heard something which could possibly tempt me to listen to it again. About twelve pleasant songs in, I heard ‘Someone Like You’. Very nice. Maybe a re-listen to this one will be the first step towards dismantling my unwelcome barricades?
Thanks for the comment Jim. I absolutely love Hard Nose The Highway. It was definitely on my long short list for inclusion. Just so many great albums to choose from.
Absolutely, Jim. I have never understood why Hard Nose the Highway occasionally meets derisory reviews. It was the album that converted me to him and to this day, it is the album I play more than ANY other, by any artist, even though Veedon Fleece remains my favourite.
my top ten Jazz albms are 1. count basie : farmers market barbeque 2. The crusaders : crusaders 1 3. Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie : the gifted ones 4. Jazz Crusaders : the festival album 5. Dave Brubeck quartet : live at Carneby hall 6. The crusaders : crusaders 2 7. Philip Catherine : Guitars 8 Lionel Hampton : Mostly blues 9 The count basie trio : first time around 10 Groovy Jazz organ - various artists 3cd compilation
excellent raking and video....i couldn't disagree with your choices at all...my personal would have 'no guru...', 'poetic...', and 'veedon fleece', in the first three places, followed by 'astral weeks' and everything other album the man ever made (including 't.b. sheets....)....good taste my friend...peace...rocky
Great video and awesome picks. Pretty same like mine, just a bit different ranking. How dare you didn`t include Moondance, the americans will freak out. Just joking. 1. Astral Weeks 2. No Guru 3. Into the Music 4. Veedon Fleece 5. Poetic Championship 6. Hard Nose 7. Common One 8. Moondance 9. Beautiful Vision 10. Inarticular Speech. There is a concert from Montreux on YT with a lot of songs from Common One. Think you will like it a lot, if you didn`t watched it already. Great performance. Greetings
Cheers David. I have ITLTSN on vinyl (a double album) which I rate as one of the greatest live albums ever (see my video-top 10 live albums)-but I'm not familiar with volumes 1,2,3. Is that a later cd compilation?
Superb listing - agree with most of everything 🎉 interesting to note that that everything came from 70s and 80s-his golden period! He hasn’t put out a decent album in the last 20 years and especially the last 5 years have been both rapid and awful 😢 😢
My top 10 would look pretty similar.....In my humble opinion, "Keep Me Singing" is a late career masterpiece. Check out "Out In The Cold Again" it's absolute genius, to my ears anyway.
Astral weeks all day long! too think the title track was unrehearsed, 'in the back room is a great bluesy track but from which album i dont know but the sound is well cool!
Just came across this video. I am sorry to say that at age 58 I have just started listening to Van Morrison in the past year. Even more heretic is that I am also a Belfast man. I think the reason being that growing up in Northern Ireland to Brown Eyed Girl and Moondance on local radio ad nauseum made me take a wide berth from his music. Now so glad I have taken a deeper look at his music and would agree with the majority of your top 10.
Cheers Alan- I think I can understand your heresy. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I just had a quick look at your vintage sounds channel-bloody hell-thats some collection of turntables! You restoring/selling them? Anyway-good luck with exploring Van's back catalogue. I hope his next album, due out in March 23, won't be a continuation of the rants from his last one. Like many of us I think VM was pretty badly affected with the lockdowns etc and it's unsurprisingly spilled out into his art.
You certainly fancy the late seventies/early to mid eighties Morrison catalogue, as do I. But I also have a hankering for some nineties and early millennial entries as well. Here's my ten: 10. Keep Me Singing (best of the latter day lot, Holy Guardian Angel) 09. Magic Time (Stranded, Celtic New Year, Greta, title track etc) 08. What's Wrong with this Picture (Little Village, Evening in June, Meaning of Loneliness) 07. Back On Top (Precious Time, Philosopher's Stone, In the Midnight) 06. Irish Heartbeat (Chieftains, Carrickfergus, Lagan Love) 05. Inarticulate Speech (River of Time, Higher than the World) 04. Into the Music (Healing has begun, All In the Game, Stepping Out Q) 03. Moondance (Mystic, Stoned Me, Crazy Love, Dreams of You, title) 02. Avalon Sunset (These are the Days, Contacting My Angel, Orangefield) 01. Hymns to the Silence (Take Me Back, Need Your Kind of Loving, Carrying a Torch, Hyndeford Street, Be Thou My Vision, Just a Closer Walk, Peace of Mind, and the magnificent title track which is among his finest moments) We all have our favorites, and this artist has flooded his canon with greatness from which to choose.
Wow Ed! Thanks for this-a top 10 VM list without Astral Weeks in it. I like the way you've identified your top tracks also. Your list has inspired me to dust off my 'Whats wrong with this picture' cd-which I haven't listened to in some time. Looking forward to that this evening.
@@VinylMonkey58 Thank you Mr. Monkey. Of course Astral Weeks is a milestone recording. But I consider myself a VM completist (as you) and I wanted to recognize his lesser celebrated catalogue rather than take the obvious route. Much as you did with identifying Ms. Otis Regrets. What a track. As for Wrong Picture, it has its crankiness about show biz. That's built-in with him particularly as he ages. But Somerset, Loneliness, Whinin' Boy, Village, Blue Moon all truly sparkle for me. Thanks for a thoughtful subject matter. I could go on for days.
Hello from Denver Colorado. I very much enjoyed your VM summary, and I have been thinking of my “Best of List” as well. You video caught my eye as I 1st saw the VM-Joey D, YD-ME-C Lp on screen which blew me away. Please note that I am a huge Joey D. fan/stalker and would suggest that all review his catalog and resume starting with his breakout with Miles Dave at age 17 to John McLaughlin/Free Spirits and on and on. I have his entire catalog and also many of the guest releases he has participated on. An impressive and fun catalog. I believe he is the finest Jazz Artist in the world and always game for a Jam. All the greats want to play with him, fantastic. Note this Jam at a Miles reunion show: Blues MD (Miles Davis cover) - Robben Ford, Omar Hakim, Joey DeFrancesco & Rick Margitza live 2012 - UA-cam This record is a gem with Van singing better that ever. It was prompted by the “Joe Doggs” Cd with the mystery man being the actor Joey Pesci. Van even acknowledges that this release blew him away and caused him to meet Joey. Also note Joey just did another Trio a similar release with Frankie Vallie “A Touch of Jazz”. It is hard to pick any Van favorites but 1) w/Joey D, 2) Hard Nose the Highway, and the #) 2 Disc-Live I2L2SN are very special music memories to me. I have 90% of him catalog and so much of it is great. Lastly, we saw Van last summer at Fiddlers Green-Co as Denver was the 1st show in the USA Tour. Great Show, also saw him at the Opera House in Chicago in the 90’s and Jimmy Witherspoon and Junior Wells opened the show and performed with him. Thanks for the Show. LP Collecting is the Best!
Thanks Bill, especially for the suggestions regarding Joey D. I will certainly follow them up. My next trip to see VM is at the Black Deer festival in Kent, England in June, where he is headlining the Sunday night. Cheers - Vinyl Monkey (Malcolm)
Van still meets up with his Danish girlfriend when he is in the country… She lived, with Van, in Vanløse which is an are a few miles northwest of Copenhagen. The Vanlose stairway refers to the steps to the Vanløse S-train station… I have been up and down those steps many times after living in Copenhagen for almost twenty four years…
1) Saint Dominic's Preview. 2) Astral Weeks. 3) Into The Music. 4) Veedon Fleece. 5) Common One. 6) Moondance. 7) Beautiful Vision. 8) No Guru, No Method. 9) Poetic Champions Compose. 10) The Philosopher's Stone.
@@VinylMonkey58 What is even more incredible is the age of Van the man when recording it! He recorded what is one of the best records in popular music of the 20th century when he was in his early twenties!
Thanks for your comment vilstef. Astral Weeks was VM's 1st solo album (after Blowing your mind) released in 1968. Veedon Fleece was his 7th album, released in 1974. I agree there are similarities in style which is why I love them both so much
1. Sant Dominic's Preview 2. Too Long In Exile 3. Veedon Fleece 4. Hymns To The Silence 5. Astral Weeks 6. Common One 7. A Night In San Francisco 8. It's Too Late to Stop Now 9. Hard Nose The Highway 10. Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart
Thanks for your list Alan. All great albums. Just 2 comments from me: I left out Van's live albums as I had included It's too late ..etc as my number one in my top 10 live albums (by anyone), and while I think St Dominics preview (the song), Listen to the Lion, and almost Independence Day are right up there with VMs very best songs, overall, as an album it just slipped outside my top 10. 42 great studio albums and still counting!
@@VinylMonkey58 What would be your most favourite Van song? Very, very difficult I know but mine is Redwood Tree, just beating Hymns To The Silence....
@@alanlane3670 Very very difficult! That's an understatement Alan. I do love 'Hymns to the silence'- but I'm finding it impossible to answer your question. You have, however, given me some food for thought, and I may do a few videos on favourite VM songs in the new year. Best wishes for 2022 Alan.
Fair comment Hollywood-I just find it a tad uneven -half brilliant tracks, the others more ordinary, and for me the title track has become too ubiquitous for me-thanks for taking the time to watch and comment
30 BEST VAN MORRISON ALBUMS: 1.Astral Weeks. 2.Enlightenment. 3.Saint Dominic's Preview. 4.Avalon Sunset. 5.Moondance. 6.Poetic Champions Compose. 7.Veedon Fleece. 8.Hard Nose The Highway. 9.Wavelength. 10.It's Too Late To Stop Now. 11.No Guru, No Method, No Teacher. 12.Into The Music. 13.Too Long In Exile. 14.Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart. 15.Tupelo Honey. 16.Hymns To The Silence. 17.His Band And The Street Choir. 18.A Sense Of Wonder. 19.Beautiful Vision. 20.Born To Sing: No Plan B. 21.Keep Me Singing. 22.Three Chords & The Truth. 23.Common One. 24.The Healing Game. 25.A Period Of Transition. 26.A Night In San Francisco. 27.Blowin' Your Mind. 28.Astral Weeks Live At The Hollywood Bowl. 29.Magic Time. 30.Days Like This.
@@VinylMonkey58 I've been a Van devotee since 1973, and those are the albums that I've listened to all the songs of. I know that Van has released 16 other studio albums that I haven't heard all of, and 4 other live albums if you include the extra volume of Its too late to stop now. For me, the first 17 on the list are essential. I cherry pick from the others.
Too long in exile, roll with punches and enlightenment are 3 spectacular choices for van's blue's music 🎶 techniques, not to mention his work with the greats like john jee hooker and Bob Dillon.
Hi, I grew up with Moondance, the first van morrison record i bought, i'm fond of it but the second side is not on the same level as the first one. my top ten is as follows: 1) Veedon Fleece 2) Astral Weeks 3) Saint Dominic Preview 4) Moondance 5) Into the music 6) it's too late to stop now 7) poetic champions compose 8) his band and the street choir( I might be the only one put it at number 8!) 9) Hymns to the silence 10)Hard nose the highway
Thanks for your list Stefano. All great albums you mention. The only reason 'It's too late...' didn't appear in my top 10 was because I was only including studio albums. I had 'It's too late....' as my number one live album (by any artist) in a separate video.
Hi, i come across your video again, my list has changed a little during the year , i have listened more to other albums, i agree with " no guru, no method, no teacher", I can put it on 6th position, considering, as you said, it's too late to stop now" a live album. Poetic champions compose is great too! i must admit i never got into " Common one" i'll try it again, there is something that put me off!@@VinylMonkey58
Van Morrison is stunning! I cannot imagine my entire adult life without his music.
Thanks for your comment Sandra-sorry I just seen your post
Well said sir. Nice video. Great list. I like your love of 80's Van. My own list would look something like this.
1. Into The Music.
2. Veedon Fleece.
3. No Guru, No Method, No Teacher.
4. Astral Weeks.
5. Hymns To The Silence.
6. Saint Dominic's Preview.
7. Poetic Champions Compose.
8. Common One.
9. A Sense Of Wonder.
10. Enlightenment.
I will probably feel differently tomorrow, there are so many brilliant albums to choose from. You're Driving Me Crazy is one of the very few Van albums I don't own, so I must seek it out. Keep up the good work... It's too late to stop now!
Cheers Wickerman-thanks for the kind comments and your top 10- I wouldn't disagree with any of them. Like you mine would probably change on a daily basis, though I suspect that Astral Weeks might for ever be my number 1. Off to see VM in Derry on Wednesday, so really looking forward to that.
Great to see "Veedon Fleece" high up on your list. I speculate a little but i guess to many people, it's a rather unknown album. But it's fantastic. It's on my top three list of all albums, all artists included. It seems like VM himself doesn't play the songs from this album too often? VM could easily arrange a concert around "Veedon Fleece". I hope he can do this sometime.
My sentiments entirely, Stefan. I consider "Veedon Fleece" to be the greatest album, by ANY artist, of all time. Whilst I sympathise with your wish for a "Veedon Fleece" concert, I would suggest that Van's voice in 1974 on that album is so far removed from what he would be capable of delivering now that I don't think he would pull it off successfully.
@@chriscampbell3289 Great to hear that you rank this album so high, I truly understand why. For a long time I thought to be alone, feeling like this, but now I know better. It's simply a masterpiece, this album, from all possible angles. I guess you are right about his voice. But one can still dream!
One of my favs of all time too!
To be fair, he did a fantastic job of re-working Astral Weeks (Hollywood Bowl), to suit his matured voice. Thats kind of the magic of Van, he can adapt anything to fit with wherever he is in the moment. I'd love to see him have a crack at making one last "stream of consciousness" type album. Something deep and personal, reflecting back on his incredible life. @@chriscampbell3289
I just listened to Beautiful Vision and Poetic Champions back to back thanks to you!! 🌬 Blown away
Thanks for your kind comment Captain
One of the best videos I’ve seen about vinyl records. So much love in your choice’s. You can tell that you really love those records. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your very kind comment Martin
Haha! I read your mind when you said "mesmerised " at the start of video ;) thanks for this , I'm a huge Van Morrison fan too
Great talk about Van´s music and albums. I have recently rediscovered Van Morrison, and this clip has been great for exploring records that I haven´t listen to before. Same thing with the clip of the top ten soul albums. Thanks!
Thanks for the very kind comments Jan. I agree UA-cam is a great way to explore new (and old) records
Thanks for a thoughtful analysis. A few of our top picks would overlap, but my list would have to include St. Dominic's Preview, Moondance, Hymns To The Silence, Too Late To Stop Now and maybe even Too Long In Exile and The Philosopher's Stone. I like some of his '80s mysticism, but I guess I'm more into his hard-edged soul music than you appear to be. Good stuff on your list too, though.
Cheers Tom. I wouldn't argue with your suggestions-all great albums. I didn't include 'It's too late to stop now' as I'd already featured it as number one in my top ten live albums.
Excellent list! Difficult task. Well done! I enjoyed this so much!
Thanks very much for your kind comment Sandra
And if stone me too my soul 💕
That's a very interesting ranking. Beautiful Vision and Common One seem never to make the best of Van lists, but I love them both.
Thanks very much for your comments EmbryonicRobot
Yeah those are both gorgeous albums. Avalon Sunset and Enlightenment are two others I love that I'd have a hard time leaving off a top 10.
Great to hear another passionate Van fan. I like your approach of selecting albums for their coherence and I agree that the 80's was a golden period for him. For many years in the 1990's I listened to 'Into the Music' every Sunday morning at high volume and even today it has never lost its power. Think you are too harsh on ' Latest Record Project'. I've been playing in my car regularly since May 2021 and there's some great tracks such as 'Jealousy', 'Big Lie', 'Blue Funk', 'The Long Con' and 'Double Bind' to name just a few. Admittedly a few clunkers but that's not bad out of 28 original songs. By-the-by I think the first 4 songs on 'Roll with the Punches' (blues) and the last 3 songs on side 2 of Hymns to the Silence (romantic) are up there with the best of anything he's ever done. He just has a gift for melody, composition, singing and arrangements. He is definitely a one-off; there are loads of singers like Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen (to name just 3 I love) but there is absolutely no one like Van Morrison. He has created a unique category (a fusion of soul, blues, jazz, pop, rock, celtic) that will never be repeated.
Thanks for your comprehensive and considered comments Roger. I definitely agree with your comments on 'Hymns' and 'Roll with the punches'. The latter, like many of his albums over the past 20 years or so mainly contain two or three genuinely great tracks on each of them. Your comments on 'Latest record project' are very pertinent - I really miss the opportunity to grow into a new album on the car cd (or cassette) player. My car for the past 5 years has been all digital, which I neither understand or enjoy. Thanks again Roger
I have loved Astral Weeks since I bought it in 1973. Since I retired, I relisten to my top 300 albums of all time and rank every track. Astral Weeks always comes out first!
Thanks for the comment Lawrence. it'd be good to see your top 20 (or more)
@@VinylMonkey58 1.Astral Weeks 2.Enlightenment 3.Saint Dominic's Preview 4.Avalon Sunset 5.Moondance 6.Veedon Fleece 7.It's Too Late To Stop Now 8.Hard Nose The Highway 9.Wavelength 10.Poetic Champions Compose 11.Into The Music 12.Tupelo Honey 13.His Band And The Street Choir 14.Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart 15.Blowin' Your Mind 16.Astral Weeks Live At The Hollywood Bowl 17.Too Long In Exile 18.Hymns To The Silence 19.Magic Time 20.Days Like This
I love your presentation of your choices man. Astral Weeks and Veedon Fleece is also my top- two Van- albums. Into the Music, probably my number three.
I'm a bit surprised that Moondance didn't made your list, but Moondance isn't in my top- 10 Van album list either. As you say here,that album is a bit uneven.
One Van album I like a lot is Avalon Sunset.
Thanks a lot Mister!
Thanks for your kind comments Vidar. I agree Avalon sunset a lovely album. I have just today bought VMs new album and will play it this evening
you nailed it: .......... astral weeks: music, art, and poetry. i blew my 20 year old son away when it was time to introduce him to it.
Loved your video. I have to agree with your top 10!
Thanks Shanna for your very kind comment
Beautiful vinyls ! I'm jealous :)
I agree with your verdict about the 1980s. His woice was on top then, and he was still longing for something. "Inarticulate..." is a masterpiece in my ears, but almost never gets mentioned. I would have had to put Avalon sunset and Hymns to the silence in there, and Moondance.
Thanks for your comments Lars, especially about 'Inarticulate'. The other three you mention may well be in my top ten if I did it again sometime-great albums
Great to know there is another Teesside lad as passionate about Sir George Ivan as i am ! Even better that you rate Inarticulate Speech and Beautiful Vision so highly. BV is the album that got me into his music back in 1982 and its still one I listen to regularly.......the smell of the bakery from across the street !! Just hope he comes to play the newly refurbished and totally fantastic Globe Theatre in Stockton sometime soon. Are you going to the Sage in March ?
Cheers John -though us Monkey Hangers don't consider ourselves Teessiders you know:) Yes it would be great to see VM at the Globe. Last time I seen him in our neck of the woods was Boro Town Hall - must be 15-20 years ago now. I seen Nick Cave at the Globe-great gig. I haven't got a ticket for the Sage-couldn't afford it at the time as we'd just shelled out to see him in Derry. I have got tickets for the Black Deer 3 day festival in Kent though, where he's headlining the Sunday night.
Great video. Good to see a real fan. VM hasn't made a bad album!
Thanks for the kind comment jd
Great to ISPOTH- one of my favorites- and Common One- and your top 2 are the same as mine. I also love the SF live album, and Hymns... I have never really listened to Tupelo much so I might give it a go.
Thanks for the comment Darren
I like that it's not the prototypical top ten Morrison albums 👍🏽
cheers Pablo-thanks for taking the time to watch and comment
I love the list and I agree with your appreciation of 80s Van! Great video. My top five would be: 1. Astral Weeks. 2. Veedon Fleece. 3. No Guru.., 4. Common One. 5. Saint Dominic's Preview. Top 10 is very difficult since I love so many of the albums, so I will leave it at 5. :)
Thanks for the kind comment Gustav. When I started I was pretty sure St Dominics preview would be in the top 10, given how much I love the title track and especially Listen to the lion. It just missed my cut as I felt it was slightly uneven with a couple of slightly weaker shorter tracks.
@@VinylMonkey58 yeah, I understand. Listen to the lion and the title track are essential. As for the shorter tracks, I love Redwood tree, but yes, Gypsy and I will be there are a bit weaker. I think the album makes up for it as a whole, though. :)
Very nice choices! I've watched several Van top videos and so far no one has mentioned my number 1 .......Enlightenment....
Thanks for your kind comment Gibby. When I laid out all 42 VM albums and started my initial sifting I was pretty sure Enlightenment would be up there-but there are just so many great albums that it didn't make it into my personal top 10. Some of Van's very best songs on there, including one of my all time favourites-In the days before rock n roll.
@@VinylMonkey58 picking top 10 Van is not easy.....he's very prolific....very nice job and I am subbing!
Enlightenment: see me through/ so quiet in here/ The days before rock and roll are some of Vans most beautiful songs.
'Well I'm caught one more time, up on Cypress Avenue....' Thanks Mal for a wonderful and knowledgeable ranking of the music. I'd agree with all your ten choices but there are so many more aren't there. I've always been fond of A Period of Transition, and the singing on Wavelength is some of his best. I think you should find another excuse to revisit Van's music because there's a lot more to say, and I like the way you say it. Cheers.
Thanks for the very kind comments Phil. I may well take you up on that suggestion
I've tried and tried to like Astral Weeks... but it just hasn't grown on me. I know it's supposed be Van's best work, but to me Moondance is THE Van Morrison album.
No doubt Moondance a great album with some of VMs very best songs. Outside my 10 as I think it's just a little uneven, and as I said, hearing the title track in too many lifts. Thanks for the comment Buzz
I've got to check out some of those you mentioned. I haven't heard a lot of his 80's and forward albums. Common One is a great album. The two I listen to most are Veedon Fleece and St. Dominic's Preview
Spoken right a real real fan (geddit?). Well done. Enjoyed this. You and I might disagree a little on the ranking, but there's quite an overlap, and I appreciate your thoughtful approach. I did my own Top 10 Van on here a few months ago. You can find it on my channel.
Thanks for your kind comments David. Just watched your video-excellent. Nice to hear a Geordie accent on UA-cam. I too love Hyms to the silence-es[pecially the title track. I had 'Its too late to stop now' as my top live album (by any artist) in my top 10 live album video. Cheers from Vinyl Monkey (Hanger-i.e. from Hartlepool)-Malcolm
@@VinylMonkey58 Cheers Malcolm. I'll be checking-out your other reviews. You've got quite a head start over me!
Some excellent choices, my top 10 would look very similar. "Keep Me Singing" deserves a special mention in my humble opinion.
Cheers Simon-I agree-in fact I was just listening to that the other day
My 17 year old was conceived and born to No Guru No Method No Teacher. I love Philosophers Stone. You can't leave out Too Late to Stop Now. Duets is a real sleeper. Love that record too. I can't make a top 10. No way. I know it's a sin but I always skip Haunts of Ancient Peace on Common One.
Thanks for your comments Shawn. I didn't leave out 'It's too late etc', I just decided to only include Van's studio albums. I separately did my top 10 live albums (by all artists) and I had that album as my number 1.
😄 Come on! Give it a chance!👍
Absolutely nothing to be sorry about it was a very genuine and honest appraisal of such beautiful works great job
Thanks for insight also love
Thanks for your kind comment Karen-much appreciated
Remember listening to Gloria on a friend’s stereo when I was 15. I’m 73 now and he’s still doin’ it. Can’t say that about anyone else except Dylan. And Van in my opinion is more consistent.
Cheers John. I feel exactly the sam-though I'm 6 years younger.
I'm a big Van fan also.. Your choices are interesting. I would choose Moondance, It's Too Late To Stop Now ( one of the greatest live albums and the 3 cd set of the other shows), The Healing Game ( re-released on vinyl and also the special cd box set with a fabulous live concert--with one of his best bands that included Georgie Fame, Pee Wee Ellis and Brian Kennedy.) Days Like This, Too Long in Exile are also favourites.
As you said, Van has not made a bad album inc Latest Record Project. I've only ever seen him once, as he won't return to Australia and every year when I'm in the USA or Europe I'm never in the same city when he playing. I saw him in Torquay with Chris Barbour supporting him. Not a bad concert but nothing like his live albums. The saving grace was a fabulous duet with Chris of Gloria.
Have you seen the film of the Healing Game tour? It was shown on tv in the late 90's. Tremendous. The band is hot. I'll have to go back and re listen to some of your choices.
Cheers Tony, thanks for the comments. I didn't put 'Too Late to stop now' in there as I said I wouldn't consider his live albums for this top 10. I did place it in my top ten live albums (by all artists) in a previous video. I agree that a good case can be made for all the other albums you mention. I have special fond memories of 'Days Like this' as it was released the same year my son was born, and most evenings for months I would rock him to sleep to that album. I've had the pleasure of seeing Van live many times in both England and Ireland, including the Healing Game tour. Previous to that (in the 80s) Pee Wee Ellis was always a brilliant performer. I seen Georgie Fame lead the VM band on 4 or 5 occasions and it was brilliant to witness Fame's infectious extrovert enthusiasm alongside the always more introvert personality of VM. Thanks again Tony, and hope you get to see him live again soon.
Rave On Vinyl Monkey. Inarticulate, Vision, No Guru. 80s Van slaps! Also live at the Belfast Opera House
Good video with an almost impossible remit, but I find it hard to see why or how you left out Hymns to the Silence, I had it for years before I realised just how good it is ......
Hard to disagree with you Sean-H to the S is a brilliant album and contains some of my favourite VM tracks. I think I got wrapped up in trying to prioritise albums which I felt represented the most complete or coherent or perhaps seamless body of work, and I felt that Hymns didn't hang together quite as tightly as some others. Having said that, it really is one of my favourites.
This was a proper list 🔥🔥🔥
Cheers Chris-that's very kind
I just stumbled on your video: Interesting that you have most of the 80’s spiritual searching albums in your list. Here’s my 10:
10. His Band and Street Choir
9. Into the Music
8. The Healing Game
7. Avalon Sunset
6. Enlightenment
5. No Guru, No Method, No Teacher
4. Moondance
3. Hymns to the Silence
2. It’s Too Late to Stop Now
1. Veedon Fleece
Awful hard to pick only 10. The Joey DeFrancesco album is deserving of being in the ten as is Poetic Champions.
Thanks for your comment and your great list. Just back from seeing VM at the Black Deer festival. As usual he didn't perform much (any?) of his 80s stuff, but a great gig nonetheless
Van Morrison estraordinario perfekt
1.Common one
2. Into The Music
3. Poetic Champions Compose.
4. Days Like This
5. Veedon Fleece
6. No Guru, No Method, No Teacher.
7. Astral Weeks.
8.Beautiful Visiom
9. Moondance
10- Saint Dominic's Preview.
Cracking list Martin thanks
ASTRAL WEEKS, MOONDANCE ,INTO THE MUSIC,
Thanks Salvador - truly three brilliant albums
Astral Weeks introduced the world to jazz /rock fusion...thank you Mr. Davis. Oh did i say Van is my second favorite musician of all time, would be my fave but then I heard SoHyang sing....she takes me places i did not know existed. What can i say...im a sucker for existential tour guides.
what can i say?....im attracted to existential tour guides
Sohyang and Van Morrison is surely some out there comparison. I'd never heard of her but have watched/listened to half a dozen songs since your post. I'd surely give her a round of applause if she appeared on the Karaoke at my local - but really - it isn't possible to compare. Thanks for the comment though Larry.
Great list,but the big question is what VM album do you play the most?
Cheers Leo - I think the answer to that changes over time. Currently I seem to play ' Keep me Singing' and 'Enlightenment' a lot. I remember playing 'Days like This' every day when it came out in 1995. I'm trying to think which of my top 10 I've played the most in the last 5 years or so-probably Veedon Fleece. Thanks for the comment/question.
@@VinylMonkey58 Veedon Fleece is my most played, ironically Astral Weeks is probably least played even though its my favourite. Maybe don't want to get that Moondance effect 😁Going by your choices ,we must have similar tastes as it coincides with my top 10 ..keep up the good work .
Hard Nose the Highway!
I'm going to see van Morrison on the 19th of June in Belfast custom House square.
I would have Latest Record Project in my Top Ten! Good review.
Cheers Russell- now you're the only person that's suggested that one-but I always like a contrarian. Thanks for taking the time to watch, comment and share your opinions.
I have to admit to not listening to the whole of this one (yet) as, not really knowing his music and not being a fan of what I have heard , I didn’t see the point. Instead, I decided to go on UA-cam and select ten of the man’s most listened to compositions. As well as listening to them I made a point of reading as many of the comments as I could (stomach). I genuinely tried to set aside what, undoubtedly, are my prejudices in the hope that I might see the light. I remain, I’m sad to report, largely unmoved; something which slightly depresses me, having to acknowledge that I am, without doubt, one of a tiny minority. I thought I’d stop listening once I heard something which could possibly tempt me to listen to it again. About twelve pleasant songs in, I heard ‘Someone Like You’. Very nice. Maybe a re-listen to this one will be the first step towards dismantling my unwelcome barricades?
I understand them all, but the one I have listened to the most is Too Late To Stop Now.
Cheers Peter-I only included studio albums in this top 10. I included ITLTSN in my top Live albums video
Would of thought hard nose the highway was in a VM top ten, Good selection and analasis tho 👍
Thanks for the comment Jim. I absolutely love Hard Nose The Highway. It was definitely on my long short list for inclusion. Just so many great albums to choose from.
Absolutely, Jim. I have never understood why Hard Nose the Highway occasionally meets derisory reviews. It was the album that converted me to him and to this day, it is the album I play more than ANY other, by any artist, even though Veedon Fleece remains my favourite.
My top 1 is "Three Chords And The Truth". I can hear newest astral weeks vibes on it.
Thanks IKA 10 - what a great album '3 chord' is. I especially love the first side
my top ten Jazz albms are
1. count basie : farmers market barbeque
2. The crusaders : crusaders 1
3. Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie : the gifted ones
4. Jazz Crusaders : the festival album
5. Dave Brubeck quartet : live at Carneby hall
6. The crusaders : crusaders 2
7. Philip Catherine : Guitars
8 Lionel Hampton : Mostly blues
9 The count basie trio : first time around
10 Groovy Jazz organ - various artists 3cd compilation
Thanks Daniel for that interesting list. I've already started looking up some of these albums
@@VinylMonkey58 apologies i just noticed that I published my reply to an incorrect review. should have been allocated to your top 10 jazz albums.!!
excellent raking and video....i couldn't disagree with your choices at all...my personal would have 'no guru...', 'poetic...', and 'veedon fleece', in the first three places, followed by 'astral weeks' and everything other album the man ever made (including 't.b. sheets....)....good taste my friend...peace...rocky
Thanks for your kind comment rocky
Great video and awesome picks. Pretty same like mine, just a bit different ranking. How dare you didn`t include Moondance, the americans will freak out. Just joking. 1. Astral Weeks 2. No Guru 3. Into the Music 4. Veedon Fleece 5. Poetic Championship 6. Hard Nose 7. Common One 8. Moondance 9. Beautiful Vision 10. Inarticular Speech. There is a concert from Montreux on YT with a lot of songs from Common One. Think you will like it a lot, if you didn`t watched it already. Great performance. Greetings
Thanks for your comment SCjuisy and I love your list. I have the Montreux gig on dvd - fantastic
My favourite is "It's too late to stop now". Volume 1,2 and 3.
Cheers David. I have ITLTSN on vinyl (a double album) which I rate as one of the greatest live albums ever (see my video-top 10 live albums)-but I'm not familiar with volumes 1,2,3. Is that a later cd compilation?
The first album came out in 1974. Volumes 2,3 and 4 plus a DVD came out in 2016. All were recorded in 1973 from different concerts.@@VinylMonkey58
Superb listing - agree with most of everything 🎉 interesting to note that that everything came from 70s and 80s-his golden period! He hasn’t put out a decent album in the last 20 years and especially the last 5 years have been both rapid and awful 😢 😢
My top 10 would look pretty similar.....In my humble opinion, "Keep Me Singing" is a late career masterpiece. Check out "Out In The Cold Again" it's absolute genius, to my ears anyway.
Astral weeks all day long! too think the title track was unrehearsed, 'in the back room is a great bluesy track but from which album i dont know but the sound is well cool!
Just came across this video. I am sorry to say that at age 58 I have just started listening to Van Morrison in the past year. Even more heretic is that I am also a Belfast man. I think the reason being that growing up in Northern Ireland to Brown Eyed Girl and Moondance on local radio ad nauseum made me take a wide berth from his music. Now so glad I have taken a deeper look at his music and would agree with the majority of your top 10.
Cheers Alan- I think I can understand your heresy. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I just had a quick look at your vintage sounds channel-bloody hell-thats some collection of turntables! You restoring/selling them? Anyway-good luck with exploring Van's back catalogue. I hope his next album, due out in March 23, won't be a continuation of the rants from his last one. Like many of us I think VM was pretty badly affected with the lockdowns etc and it's unsurprisingly spilled out into his art.
My 3 top Van albums are 3 Moondance 2 Astral Weeks and 1 Veedon Fleece R.I.P. Joey Defrancesco 25/August/2022
Thanks for your top 3 Mike-very sad to hear of Joey Defrancesco's death at only 51 years old
You certainly fancy the late seventies/early to mid eighties Morrison catalogue, as do I. But I also have a hankering for some nineties and early millennial entries as well. Here's my ten:
10. Keep Me Singing (best of the latter day lot, Holy Guardian Angel)
09. Magic Time (Stranded, Celtic New Year, Greta, title track etc)
08. What's Wrong with this Picture (Little Village, Evening in June, Meaning of Loneliness)
07. Back On Top (Precious Time, Philosopher's Stone, In the Midnight)
06. Irish Heartbeat (Chieftains, Carrickfergus, Lagan Love)
05. Inarticulate Speech (River of Time, Higher than the World)
04. Into the Music (Healing has begun, All In the Game, Stepping Out Q)
03. Moondance (Mystic, Stoned Me, Crazy Love, Dreams of You, title)
02. Avalon Sunset (These are the Days, Contacting My Angel, Orangefield)
01. Hymns to the Silence (Take Me Back, Need Your Kind of Loving, Carrying a Torch, Hyndeford Street, Be Thou My Vision, Just a Closer Walk, Peace of Mind, and the magnificent title track which is among his finest moments)
We all have our favorites, and this artist has flooded his canon with greatness from which to choose.
Wow Ed! Thanks for this-a top 10 VM list without Astral Weeks in it. I like the way you've identified your top tracks also. Your list has inspired me to dust off my 'Whats wrong with this picture' cd-which I haven't listened to in some time. Looking forward to that this evening.
@@VinylMonkey58 Thank you Mr. Monkey. Of course Astral Weeks is a milestone recording. But I consider myself a VM completist (as you) and I wanted to recognize his lesser celebrated catalogue rather than take the obvious route. Much as you did with identifying Ms. Otis Regrets. What a track.
As for Wrong Picture, it has its crankiness about show biz. That's built-in with him particularly as he ages. But Somerset, Loneliness, Whinin' Boy, Village, Blue Moon all truly sparkle for me.
Thanks for a thoughtful subject matter. I could go on for days.
Hello from Denver Colorado. I very much enjoyed your VM summary, and I have been thinking of my “Best of List” as well. You video caught my eye as I 1st saw the VM-Joey D, YD-ME-C Lp on screen which blew me away. Please note that I am a huge Joey D. fan/stalker and would suggest that all review his catalog and resume starting with his breakout with Miles Dave at age 17 to John McLaughlin/Free Spirits and on and on. I have his entire catalog and also many of the guest releases he has participated on. An impressive and fun catalog. I believe he is the finest Jazz Artist in the world and always game for a Jam. All the greats want to play with him, fantastic. Note this Jam at a Miles reunion show:
Blues MD (Miles Davis cover) - Robben Ford, Omar Hakim, Joey DeFrancesco & Rick Margitza live 2012 - UA-cam
This record is a gem with Van singing better that ever. It was prompted by the “Joe Doggs” Cd with the mystery man being the actor Joey Pesci. Van even acknowledges that this release blew him away and caused him to meet Joey. Also note Joey just did another Trio a similar release with Frankie Vallie “A Touch of Jazz”.
It is hard to pick any Van favorites but 1) w/Joey D, 2) Hard Nose the Highway, and the #) 2 Disc-Live I2L2SN are very special music memories to me. I have 90% of him catalog and so much of it is great.
Lastly, we saw Van last summer at Fiddlers Green-Co as Denver was the 1st show in the USA Tour. Great Show, also saw him at the Opera House in Chicago in the 90’s and Jimmy Witherspoon and Junior Wells opened the show and performed with him. Thanks for the Show. LP Collecting is the Best!
Thanks Bill, especially for the suggestions regarding Joey D. I will certainly follow them up. My next trip to see VM is at the Black Deer festival in Kent, England in June, where he is headlining the Sunday night. Cheers - Vinyl Monkey (Malcolm)
Video meraviglioso. Bravo!
Thank you linosians-that's very kind
I'd have chosen Astral Weeks and Moondance and Hymns to the Silence
Van still meets up with his Danish girlfriend when he is in the country… She lived, with Van, in Vanløse which is an are a few miles northwest of Copenhagen. The Vanlose stairway refers to the steps to the Vanløse S-train station… I have been up and down those steps many times after living in Copenhagen for almost twenty four years…
Thanks for that info Mike - when I first heard that song I'd originally assumed it was referring to something more spiritual. Great song all the same
1) Saint Dominic's Preview.
2) Astral Weeks.
3) Into The Music.
4) Veedon Fleece.
5) Common One.
6) Moondance.
7) Beautiful Vision.
8) No Guru, No Method.
9) Poetic Champions Compose.
10) The Philosopher's Stone.
Cheers Tony-thanks for your list - I agree SDP a great album-the 3 longest songs on the album all classics
For me it's intoo the mystic
Astral weeks: what a masterpiece...
Thanks for the comment Antal. I agree it is truly an incredible work of art
@@VinylMonkey58 What is even more incredible is the age of Van the man when recording it! He recorded what is one of the best records in popular music of the 20th century when he was in his early twenties!
Veedon Fleece followed Astral Weeks. I regard Veedon and astral as one work.
Thanks for your comment vilstef. Astral Weeks was VM's 1st solo album (after Blowing your mind) released in 1968. Veedon Fleece was his 7th album, released in 1974. I agree there are similarities in style which is why I love them both so much
1. Sant Dominic's Preview
2. Too Long In Exile
3. Veedon Fleece
4. Hymns To The Silence
5. Astral Weeks
6. Common One
7. A Night In San Francisco
8. It's Too Late to Stop Now
9. Hard Nose The Highway
10. Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart
Thanks for your list Alan. All great albums. Just 2 comments from me: I left out Van's live albums as I had included It's too late ..etc as my number one in my top 10 live albums (by anyone), and while I think St Dominics preview (the song), Listen to the Lion, and almost Independence Day are right up there with VMs very best songs, overall, as an album it just slipped outside my top 10. 42 great studio albums and still counting!
@@VinylMonkey58 What would be your most favourite Van song? Very, very difficult I know but mine is Redwood Tree, just beating Hymns To The Silence....
@@alanlane3670 Very very difficult! That's an understatement Alan. I do love 'Hymns to the silence'- but I'm finding it impossible to answer your question. You have, however, given me some food for thought, and I may do a few videos on favourite VM songs in the new year. Best wishes for 2022 Alan.
as an old person, i have to say that moondance is missing
Fair comment Hollywood-I just find it a tad uneven -half brilliant tracks, the others more ordinary, and for me the title track has become too ubiquitous for me-thanks for taking the time to watch and comment
30 BEST VAN MORRISON ALBUMS: 1.Astral Weeks. 2.Enlightenment. 3.Saint Dominic's Preview. 4.Avalon Sunset. 5.Moondance. 6.Poetic Champions Compose. 7.Veedon Fleece. 8.Hard Nose The Highway. 9.Wavelength. 10.It's Too Late To Stop Now. 11.No Guru, No Method, No Teacher. 12.Into The Music. 13.Too Long In Exile. 14.Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart. 15.Tupelo Honey. 16.Hymns To The Silence. 17.His Band And The Street Choir. 18.A Sense Of Wonder. 19.Beautiful Vision. 20.Born To Sing: No Plan B. 21.Keep Me Singing. 22.Three Chords & The Truth. 23.Common One. 24.The Healing Game. 25.A Period Of Transition. 26.A Night In San Francisco. 27.Blowin' Your Mind. 28.Astral Weeks Live At The Hollywood Bowl. 29.Magic Time. 30.Days Like This.
Brilliant list thanks Lawrence. Nice to see Enlightenment up there-I've been playing that a lot lately
@@VinylMonkey58 I've been a Van devotee since 1973, and those are the albums that I've listened to all the songs of. I know that Van has released 16 other studio albums that I haven't heard all of, and 4 other live albums if you include the extra volume of Its too late to stop now. For me, the first 17 on the list are essential. I cherry pick from the others.
You are right, he's never made a bad album...
Cheers Paul-thanks for the kind comment
Too long in exile, roll with punches and enlightenment are 3 spectacular choices for van's blue's music 🎶 techniques, not to mention his work with the greats like john jee hooker and Bob Dillon.
Thanks for the comment and recommendations
Hi, I grew up with Moondance, the first van morrison record i bought, i'm fond of it but the second side is not on the same level as the first one. my top ten is as follows:
1) Veedon Fleece
2) Astral Weeks
3) Saint Dominic Preview
4) Moondance
5) Into the music
6) it's too late to stop now
7) poetic champions compose
8) his band and the street choir( I might be the only one put it at number 8!)
9) Hymns to the silence
10)Hard nose the highway
Thanks for your list Stefano. All great albums you mention. The only reason 'It's too late...' didn't appear in my top 10 was because I was only including studio albums. I had 'It's too late....' as my number one live album (by any artist) in a separate video.
Hi, i come across your video again, my list has changed a little during the year , i have listened more to other albums, i agree with " no guru, no method, no teacher", I can put it on 6th position, considering, as you said, it's too late to stop now" a live album. Poetic champions compose is great too! i must admit i never got into " Common one" i'll try it again, there is something that put me off!@@VinylMonkey58
"Washed away and memorized" you are as much Van Morrison as Van Morrison himself!!!
Cheers Captain
For me it's intoo the mystic