Happy 50th birthday yesterday, Astral Weeks

[mahatmakanejeeves]

We have a lot of birthdays today, but first this:

The rage of Van Morrison and the battle behind his masterpiece, "Astral Weeks"

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Astral Weeks

Released: November 29, 1968
Recorded: 25 September 1968, 1 and 15 October 1968
Studio: Century Sound Studios, New York
Genre: Folk rock, folk jazz, blue-eyed soul
Length: 47:10
Label: Warner Bros.
Producer: Lewis Merenstein

Astral Weeks is the second studio album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison. It was recorded at Century Sound Studios in New York during September and October 1968, and released in November of the same year by Warner Bros. Records.

The album's music blends folk, blues, jazz, and classical styles, signalling a radical departure from the sound of Morrison's previous pop hits, such as "Brown Eyed Girl" (1967). The lyrics and cover art portray the symbolism equating earthly love and heaven that would often feature in the singer's subsequent records. His lyrics have been described as impressionistic, hypnotic, and modernist, while the record has been referred to as a song cycle or concept album.

Astral Weeks did not originally receive promotion from Morrison's record label and was not an immediate success with consumers or critics. Its standing eventually improved greatly, with praise given to Morrison's arrangements and songwriting, and the album has been viewed as one of rock music's greatest and most important records (a reputation the singer himself has dismissed). It was placed on numerous widely circulated lists of the best albums of all time and had an enduring effect on both listeners and musicians.

Forty years after the album's release, Morrison performed all eight of its songs live for the first time at two Hollywood Bowl concerts in November 2008; this performance was later released as Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl.

[bif]

1. One of my favorite albums of all time.

I never get tired of listening to it. Pure genius!

[mr_lebowski]

2. This, and Moondance are freaking phenomenal records ...

I think I'll use this opportunity to add one of my all-time favorite covers, of one of my all-time favorite songs (it being from Astral Weeks) ... in fact, I might like it even better than the original, if I'm allowed to utter such sacrilege

[msongs]

3. fave van albums are moondance n whats wrong with this picture. nt

[Ohiogal]

4. I've got Astral Weeks and Moondance on vinyl

they're among my favorites of all time. I never get tired of listening to them.

[mr_lebowski]

5. Me too!

And on CD, actually ...