Tommy, i was 21 and like you it changed my world, definitely on my Desert Island playlist. I listen to it at least once a month and find something new ever time. It is a real joy in my life.
Rolling Stone gave this album stellar reviews-which is why I got it,,,He was 23 in ‘69, but writes his “Queen of the Slipstream” some 15-20 years later (yep , that word, again!) in ‘89. I’m still lost in his vast + deep rabbit hole, he balances past/ present/future with a unique philosophical lens that feels like prayers; meditative jams,, Thanks again for recognizing crazy cool when ya hear it …
This is so bizarre- but is pure genius : the flute and the driving percussion rhythm is unlike any other- I like that you feel this - it’s over most ppl’s heads, so you got a new sub here!
Every song on this album is worth serious repeated listening, but they weren't target at 60s radio. Songs that you may have heard by Van Morrison are: And It Stoned Me, Into the Mystic, Tupelo Honey, Moon Dance, Wild Night, Brown Eyed Girl, and Gloria.
No one knows me. I’m alone almost all the time with a spinal cord injury and a serious full body neurological disease that causes immense and unmanageable pain. YOU and your channel get me through it a few minutes at a time. My only outlet is the internet. I have no friends left, live in the mountains, cannot walk more than a few feet or push my own wheelchair. I’m stuck right here with no purpose except to care for my terminally ill, but still quite comfortable, dog- my last of more than a dozen and biggest joy in my life since raising my daughters. Music makes me feel so much and I need this! Thanks- I’m with you for a few minutes every day. Hang in here with me! 💕
Oh my God! You've hit the motherlode! There's NOBODY like Van the Man! Soul, jazz, blues and his own brand of mysticism, he's sung and written it all. Born in Northern Ireland, his first success was with Them. Managerial and label problems led him to the USA, where Astral Weeks was recorded with a bunch of hardened jazz musicians. They hadn't a clue what he was about. He showed them the chord structure of each song and they winged it, not even knowing when he was finishing. Strings were added later. Because you were touched by the spirituality of it, try In the Garden, Vanlose Stairway and Into the Mystic. But there are hundreds of others. He can make you dance or reduce you to tears.
This whole album is an experience, which I saw you began to feel. His next album, "Moondance" is a masterpiece, although a bit more commercial but in the best possible way. Keep going with Van the Man.
Do yourself a favour son and buy the album and lsiten to it start to finish, I have been listening to it ever since it's release and it is a cornertsone of all the music I listen to...it is a masterpiece..
This album gets even better if you continue with it. "Madame George" is a top 10 all time song for me. "Sweet Thing" and "Cyprus Avenue", too. Such gorgeous evocations of childhood.
Yeah Van the man, discovered this by buying it because I didn't know or had heard of any of the song title's, probably one of best album's I've ever heard ,couldn't believe my ears!
Loved your reaction to this! It has always been one of the closest songs to my heart. Nothing but a stranger in this world. For soul mates who have lost each other through the powers that be or what life does to us, we dream of reunion, redemption and love!!! May you always have love and peace 😊 thank you for this ❤
Astral Weeks is a great album. Very different from what came later. The song is amazing, great lyrics. His voice is so smooth. Also, since I can't post on your Beatles Rain reaction: you apologized for playing the mono version, but Beatles purists often prefer the mono versions. The Beatles were involved in making the mono mixes, but left the stereo mixes to engineers, because stereo was considered an unimportant fad.
Van Morrison is one of the most prolific song writer that is out there. He has blues roots to his music and started out fronting a band called Them. He has been a long time favourite of mine.
This whole album is magic. Give "Sweet Thing" a listen too. Van is an incredible and unique talent with a deep deep catalogue. with many, many tasty delights.
this is a magical song. the entire album has the same vibe. he used some of the best jazz session jazz musicans in the biz as his band. that's the unique sound....
This album really defies description; bits of folk, jazz, rock, blues, soul, and classical - it moves seamlessly between them all. Quite rightly it frequently ends up in Top 10 lists of the greatest albums of modern music. You need to do the whole album to discover the overall magic of this record. Timeless indeed.
When you go to Ireland the thing is, every cafe and pub has a reading corner full of books. And Van must have read them all. Lots of Irish history spliced through the lyrics, At the age of 22 he comes out with this. ......
Hi and thanks for this. For me personally Astral Weeks is simply one the all time great albums and every song on it is worth taking time to listen to. Glad you enjoyed it an glad you enjoyed Van 'the man.' There is a lot of other superb material of his to take in, but Astral Weeks is a great place to start. Thanks again
Dude. This song is like magic. Your reaction is genuine. I felt similarly when I first heard it. This Van Morrison journey is one to cherish. Every album is classic at least through Veeden Fleece. Completely unique. A journey like no other.
it really did hit me hard.... i honestly had my life flash before my eyes after the "strangers" line. what a wordsmith and musician. I am for sure going down this rabbit hole with my ears and heart open.
Another influencer that is still thrilling audiences all over the world. A master vocalist sax player. His voice aged well with age. His phrasing is world class. Keep him on your radar.
I thought I knew almost every Van Morrison song, but when I listened to this one, I realized I hadn't. This wasn't one of his "Hits," but it's a really beautiful song. Nothing new, if you know Van Morrison. He's an icon of Rock/and R&B and more. More Van please.
Van The Man was and is Very Much into the Spiritual side of life, even now he is a student of The Celtic Mysteries which are a constant source of inspiration for him in his music. Can't afford Patreon but Lee, You MUST hear "Hyndeford Street" by Van Morrison.
WOW indeed. So lovely to see the way it affected you. This album blew me away when I was first introduced to it. I bought the vinyl straight away & have loved it ever since, it remains one of my all time top albums & tunes, that I never want to be without. The tune "Madam George" from the same album saved my sanity when I was on a very heavy trip in the 60's at a festival in the U.K.. & it came on over the sound system & brought me back to reality. "Into The Mystic", "Moondance" , + "And it stoned me" are all great Van Morrison tunes.
This is an amazing album, although I didn't appreciate it on first listen. Van's vocals are out of this world and the music is superb. P.S. I would love to set up an interview with you sometime and promote your channel. (I sent you an email a few weeks back)
Hey there! Email me @ l33reactsyt@gmail.com and we can set something up:) I'm gonna be honest, I was really touched by this. By the end my life was flashing before my eyes. So wild. It was beautiful.
If you’re my age ( you certainly aren’t) Astral Weeks is one of the formative albums of your youth. Up there with Revolver, Pet Sounds, Blue, Led Zeppelin 4 - and Physical Graffiti - and a few other game-changers.
I have a feeling that feeling like a stranger in this world might be something that this fam all has in common...🙂 Love the channel, let's keep going...
I'm sure somebody else probably already said this, But mark it on your calendar 6 months from now and listen to highheeled boys again. Jim Gordon's drums on that track are often cited as an example of percussion excellence. Plus, I am reading Joel Selvin's biography of Jim Gordon, and it is one of the most insightful volumes about drums that I have ever read. Having said this, not everyone reacts the same way to music, and we all must respect it when folks throw up their hands and say 'not 4 me'...
Van just takes you to church so to speak, he's a uber talented artist his music is so spiritual it never fails to move me especially this song and the whole record is fantastic.
Veedon Fleece is a great unsung album by Van. "Streets of Arklow" in particularly worth a listen from that album. A double live CD of his (I don’t think it was ever released on vinyl) is the 1994 album live in San Francisco. One of the best live albums ever recorded imho.
Interesting choice for a first listen, a "deep cut," not one that got lots of airplay. Skipping over the huge hits, I recommend "And It Stoned Me," "Into the Mystic", and the R&B tribute "Jackie Wilson Said". All 3 make good use of his voice + saxes.
Tons of Van Morrison I’m sure everyone will request (the whole Moondance album). I’d like to request Ride the River by Eric Clapton & J.J Cale (mostly so you’ll check out more J.J Cale) .
Johnnie Depp versus Amber Heard trial - he was in the stand testifying about listening 🎧 to Astral Weeks , relaxing in reverie , when in she barged - stormed in on him etc…I got a kick out of him giving this a shout out or whatever, because I know no one, but for myself, that knows this album …all his songs are best live , on stage, then gratefully uploaded to UA-cam, though …
Try Stanger in a Strange Land by Leon Russell, please. Little Feat, Climax Blues Band, the Dead, more Keef Hartley, Kiln House by Fleetwood Mac, Savoy Brown to name a few, and of course more Zappa. You're so right concerning the quality and quantity of music excellence of music from the past
The entire album was recorded in two days, apart from the horn & string sections, which Van ultimately disliked, feeling that they took away from the overall vibe!
What has happened to artists that write real songs with real lyrics. I will echo what others have already said , you simply can’t make a bad decision with a Van Morrison song,he is a genius.
I like Van the Man as much as the next man.........except for this piece of shit. I will never understand how Astral Weeks is considered one of the greats. It's horrible!
@@L33Reacts It's horrible because it sounds as if he just turned on a tape recorder and blurted out whatever happened to come into his head. I can do that. Easy. But it wouldn't sound good. And neither does this. Mind you, I don't have a problem with any of his many other albums. Just this one.
One of the greatest albums ever recorded, the music was mostly improvised in the studio. Unique and brilliant.
I was 18 when this was released. Still listen to it today. I’m 74 this year. ❤ one of my desert island discs. Probably number 1 ❤️❤️❤️
it is my #1 - always has been.
Me too I loved it all this time too.
"Astral Weeks" remains one of my 10 all time top albums.
Tommy, i was 21 and like you it changed my world, definitely on my Desert Island playlist. I listen to it at least once a month and find something new ever time. It is a real joy in my life.
It’s a great song by Van..Saw him back when too..I’ll be 74 in January…good luck
Rolling Stone gave this album stellar reviews-which is why I got it,,,He was 23 in ‘69, but writes his “Queen of the Slipstream” some 15-20 years later (yep , that word, again!) in ‘89. I’m still lost in his vast + deep rabbit hole, he balances past/ present/future with a unique philosophical lens that feels like prayers; meditative jams,, Thanks again for recognizing crazy cool when ya hear it …
"And it stoned me" is the shit! Give that song a spin.
This is so bizarre- but is pure genius : the flute and the driving percussion rhythm is unlike any other- I like that you feel this - it’s over most ppl’s heads, so you got a new sub here!
"Brown Eyed Girl," Into The Mystic," "Moondance," "Wild Night," "Caravan," and many more great songs from this Irish born Soul man.
Every song on this album is worth serious repeated listening, but they weren't target at 60s radio. Songs that you may have heard by Van Morrison are: And It Stoned Me, Into the Mystic, Tupelo Honey, Moon Dance, Wild Night, Brown Eyed Girl, and Gloria.
Van the Man is a rabbit hole you can go down forever.
i'm down! This one hooked me so i'm game for whatever now lol
astral weeks was always played in its entirety at my place. each song is priceless on its own.
The other classic from this album is Madame George. Amazing.
thanks ill add it to the list! this was great!
Madam George saved my sanity, see comment above.
Haven't seen a reaction to Madame George, which is a shame. Great song.
I absolutely adore this record. Van is a legend. I'm glad you found this!
i'm glad I did too... right in time for spring. perfect timing. everything happens for a reason :)
No one knows me. I’m alone almost all the time with a spinal cord injury and a serious full body neurological disease that causes immense and unmanageable pain. YOU and your channel get me through it a few minutes at a time. My only outlet is the internet. I have no friends left, live in the mountains, cannot walk more than a few feet or push my own wheelchair. I’m stuck right here with no purpose except to care for my terminally ill, but still quite comfortable, dog- my last of more than a dozen and biggest joy in my life since raising my daughters. Music makes me feel so much and I need this! Thanks- I’m with you for a few minutes every day. Hang in here with me! 💕
Oh my God! You've hit the motherlode! There's NOBODY like Van the Man! Soul, jazz, blues and his own brand of mysticism, he's sung and written it all. Born in Northern Ireland, his first success was with Them. Managerial and label problems led him to the USA, where Astral Weeks was recorded with a bunch of hardened jazz musicians. They hadn't a clue what he was about. He showed them the chord structure of each song and they winged it, not even knowing when he was finishing. Strings were added later. Because you were touched by the spirituality of it, try In the Garden, Vanlose Stairway and Into the Mystic. But there are hundreds of others. He can make you dance or reduce you to tears.
This whole album is an experience, which I saw you began to feel. His next album, "Moondance" is a masterpiece, although a bit more commercial but in the best possible way. Keep going with Van the Man.
He goes back to that word for Queen of the Slipstream yet another classic. When he gets going its like hes in a trance, magic.
This whole album is beautiful and otherworldly. It sounds like nothing else.
Do yourself a favour son and buy the album and lsiten to it start to finish, I have been listening to it ever since it's release and it is a cornertsone of all the music I listen to...it is a masterpiece..
Best thing to come out of Ireland since Guinness
hahaha
Northern Ireland
Van the man. Pure class
Did a great concert playing the vast Astral Weeks album at the Hollywood Bowl in 2008. He is so good live. And always plays with cracking musicians.
I can understand why this song hit you. Powerful lyrics. Deep meaning.
Well, for me, music is king. It always comes first. Which is why this album is a huge MISS.
This album gets even better if you continue with it. "Madame George" is a top 10 all time song for me. "Sweet Thing" and "Cyprus Avenue", too. Such gorgeous evocations of childhood.
If that was your first listening, you made an excellent choice, now continue your Van Morrison voyage
The whole album is amazing.
Yeah Van the man, discovered this by buying it because I didn't know or had heard of any of the song title's, probably one of best album's I've ever heard ,couldn't believe my ears!
Loved your reaction to this! It has always been one of the closest songs to my heart. Nothing but a stranger in this world. For soul mates who have lost each other through the powers that be or what life does to us, we dream of reunion, redemption and love!!! May you always have love and peace 😊 thank you for this ❤
bass on this album is legend
Astral Weeks is a great album. Very different from what came later. The song is amazing, great lyrics. His voice is so smooth. Also, since I can't post on your Beatles Rain reaction: you apologized for playing the mono version, but Beatles purists often prefer the mono versions. The Beatles were involved in making the mono mixes, but left the stereo mixes to engineers, because stereo was considered an unimportant fad.
Van Morrison is one of the most prolific song writer that is out there. He has blues roots to his music and started out fronting a band called Them. He has been a long time favourite of mine.
Dont miss out or pass up VAN MORRISON HE'S JUST WONDERFUL,
💃💃💃☘️☘️☘️
This whole album is magic. Give "Sweet Thing" a listen too. Van is an incredible and unique talent with a deep deep catalogue. with many, many tasty delights.
this is a magical song. the entire album has the same vibe. he used some of the best jazz session jazz musicans in the biz as his band. that's the unique sound....
In another time. In another place. In another face.
Van the man, you'll dig this trip, tons of great songs.
Yeah he got me hook line and sinker with this one. I'm game for whatever now lol
This album really defies description; bits of folk, jazz, rock, blues, soul, and classical - it moves seamlessly between them all. Quite rightly it frequently ends up in Top 10 lists of the greatest albums of modern music. You need to do the whole album to discover the overall magic of this record. Timeless indeed.
When you go to Ireland the thing is, every cafe and pub has a reading corner full of books. And Van must have read them all. Lots of Irish history spliced through the lyrics, At the age of 22 he comes out with this. ......
Hi and thanks for this. For me personally Astral Weeks is simply one the all time great albums and every song on it is worth taking time to listen to. Glad you enjoyed it an glad you enjoyed Van 'the man.' There is a lot of other superb material of his to take in, but Astral Weeks is a great place to start.
Thanks again
Dude. This song is like magic. Your reaction is genuine. I felt similarly when I first heard it. This Van Morrison journey is one to cherish. Every album is classic at least through Veeden Fleece. Completely unique. A journey like no other.
it really did hit me hard.... i honestly had my life flash before my eyes after the "strangers" line. what a wordsmith and musician. I am for sure going down this rabbit hole with my ears and heart open.
Another genius songwriter, so thanks!!
glad you enjoyed it! i really did too...
Another influencer that is still thrilling audiences all over the world.
A master vocalist sax player. His voice aged well with age.
His phrasing is world class.
Keep him on your radar.
I thought I knew almost every Van Morrison song, but when I listened to this one, I realized I hadn't. This wasn't one of his "Hits," but it's a really beautiful song. Nothing new, if you know Van Morrison. He's an icon of Rock/and R&B and more. More Van please.
Van The Man was and is Very Much into the Spiritual side of life, even now he is a student of The Celtic Mysteries which are a constant source of inspiration for him in his music. Can't afford Patreon but Lee, You MUST hear "Hyndeford Street" by Van Morrison.
Into the Mystic
WOW indeed. So lovely to see the way it affected you. This album blew me away when I was first introduced to it. I bought the vinyl straight away & have loved it ever since, it remains one of my all time top albums & tunes, that I never want to be without.
The tune "Madam George" from the same album saved my sanity when I was on a very heavy trip in the 60's at a festival in the U.K.. & it came on over the sound system & brought me back to reality.
"Into The Mystic", "Moondance" , + "And it stoned me" are all great Van Morrison tunes.
This was done in one take. He was in a band called"Them". Rock the Who and Kinks. Peace
An album that changed my life and the way I thought about popular music and what it could accomplish 🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤😊
I for sure want to hear more from this album now. This was magical. What a songwriter. his vocabulary is extensive and very interesting :)
Check out Morrison's band Them--Gloria, Mystic Eyes, Here Comes the Night.
This is an amazing album, although I didn't appreciate it on first listen. Van's vocals are out of this world and the music is superb.
P.S. I would love to set up an interview with you sometime and promote your channel. (I sent you an email a few weeks back)
Hey there! Email me @ l33reactsyt@gmail.com and we can set something up:)
I'm gonna be honest, I was really touched by this. By the end my life was flashing before my eyes. So wild. It was beautiful.
@@L33Reacts email sent, thanks!
Fabulous Van! Thank you 👍
A absolute must have album, from the maestro of maestros. Good for the soul.
Van is the man. I’d recommend “Into The Mystic” as a second listen.
One of the Great albums of all time....
Van the Man is legendary. Inexplicablyleft2729 laid out a great start into his catalogue for you. Go at it young man!
You need the full album in your life. 😎
If you’re my age ( you certainly aren’t) Astral Weeks is one of the formative albums of your youth. Up there with Revolver, Pet Sounds, Blue, Led Zeppelin 4 - and Physical Graffiti - and a few other game-changers.
I'd recommend the full wikipedia page for this album as a starting reference
When I first heard this album it took me on a journey, and have been a fan ever since.
And the track No Guru, No Method, No Teacher!
Stay strong buddy. It is all about the kids. Astral Weeks is a masterpiece and Van was 22 in 1968.
I got the chills
I have a feeling that feeling like a stranger in this world might be something that this fam all has in common...🙂 Love the channel, let's keep going...
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤please listen to the whole album
I'm sure somebody else probably already said this, But mark it on your calendar 6 months from now and listen to highheeled boys again. Jim Gordon's drums on that track are often cited as an example of percussion excellence. Plus, I am reading Joel Selvin's biography of Jim Gordon, and it is one of the most insightful volumes about drums that I have ever read. Having said this, not everyone reacts the same way to music, and we all must respect it when folks throw up their hands and say 'not 4 me'...
Up until 4 AM in 1973 doing a jigsaw puzzle with an former boyfriend with this album playing over and over.😘
Cortez, Show Biz Kids, and Astral Weeks back to back to back! 3 of my all time favorites.
It was a great weekend of tunes! I had a very profound experience with this and Cortez. And show biz is just straight Dan goodness 😀👍
Van just takes you to church so to speak, he's a uber talented artist his music is so spiritual it never fails to move me especially this song and the whole record is fantastic.
this was so spiritual it's not even funny! I could feel it! The positivity and light radiating from this was magnificent.
In another time, in another place…
Veedon Fleece is a great unsung album by Van. "Streets of Arklow" in particularly worth a listen from that album.
A double live CD of his (I don’t think it was ever released on vinyl) is the 1994 album live in San Francisco. One of the best live albums ever recorded imho.
Finish the album. There's not one throw-away on the record.
If you like the word slipstream you have to listen to his song Queen of the Slipstream. Beautiful.
Really a unique album, can't really compare to anything else.
Top 5 album for me
The best stand-up bass ever to ever grace a rock album.
Connie Kay`s pretty good too
"Caravan"...Live from The Last Waltz.
Van has so many good albums. Was just listening to Hard Nose the Highway and The Philosophers Stone yesterday.
I have one request for after I die and that is to play this at my funeral instead of any eulogy.
❤❤❤ the vibe.
Listen to the lion (too late to stop now), you don't pull no punches (veedon fleece),Summertime in england (common one).
Yeah.
Interesting choice for a first listen, a "deep cut," not one that got lots of airplay.
Skipping over the huge hits, I recommend "And It Stoned Me," "Into the Mystic", and the
R&B tribute "Jackie Wilson Said". All 3 make good use of his voice + saxes.
I recommend Dorothy Carter's "Waillee Waillee" - another great flute song! :D
Sweet Thing next off the same album. Second thoughts just react to the whole album, its the best of all time 🍀
Honest personal take. The good: remarkable, excellent musicianship. The bad: It's always bored me out of my mind, but that's just me.
Great jam. Try “Sweet thing” from the same album!!
Tons of Van Morrison I’m sure everyone will request (the whole Moondance album). I’d like to request Ride the River by Eric Clapton & J.J Cale (mostly so you’ll check out more J.J Cale) .
Johnnie Depp versus Amber Heard trial - he was in the stand testifying about listening 🎧 to Astral Weeks , relaxing in reverie , when in she barged - stormed in on him etc…I got a kick out of him giving this a shout out or whatever, because I know no one, but for myself, that knows this album …all his songs are best live , on stage, then gratefully uploaded to UA-cam, though …
LOL are you serious?? That's hilarious. What a shout out hahaha
Try Stanger in a Strange Land by Leon Russell, please. Little Feat, Climax Blues Band, the Dead, more Keef Hartley, Kiln House by Fleetwood Mac, Savoy Brown to name a few, and of course more Zappa. You're so right concerning the quality and quantity of music excellence of music from the past
The entire album was recorded in two days, apart from the horn & string sections, which Van ultimately disliked, feeling that they took away from the overall vibe!
What has happened to artists that write real songs with real lyrics. I will echo what others have already said , you simply can’t make a bad decision with a Van Morrison song,he is a genius.
You must do Into The Mystic next. I think it’s his best song, but what is second?
Veedon Fleece
Van Morrison is Karen Rock
I thought you reacted to Moondance
I'm shocked that you are unfamiliar with Van. 😮😅😮
I like Van the Man as much as the next man.........except for this piece of shit. I will never understand how Astral Weeks is considered one of the greats.
It's horrible!
this is horrible to you?? what's good then??? this is powerful, dude. i'd say revisit it but you have your mind made up already lol
..piece of shit? Methinks the wench doth protest too much...
@@L33Reacts It's horrible because it sounds as if he just turned on a tape recorder and blurted out whatever happened to come into his head.
I can do that. Easy. But it wouldn't sound good. And neither does this.
Mind you, I don't have a problem with any of his many other albums. Just this one.
@SpaceCattttt sure you do
Best not to listen to it, then.