Astral Weeks is a classic. Released in 1968 Van Morrison made his claim as a soul singer, with dark bizarre lyrics that don't tell stories a such, but invoke images that are haunting and sometimes beautiful. Over the years the album has been analyzed in-depth and it became the peak of his career.
Last year saw Van Morrison performing the album in full at the Hollywood Bowl on November 7 and 8, with original guitar player Jay Berliner as a prominent member of the live band. The best versions of those two performances have been been picked for Astral Weeks Live At The Hollywood Bowl. With no overdubs or technical wizardry to clean up things it is class A performance, with Van improvising and the band jamming on the songs, building upon the chords and motifs. Take note of the acoutic guitar going berserk on I Start Breaking Down . There are two bonus tracks: Listen To The Lion - The Lion Speaks and Common One.
Astral Weeks Live At The Hollywood Bowl is released on Manhattan Records. Release date: February 10. A DVD of the show is expected later this year.
Tracks:- Astral Weeks - I Believe I've Transcended
- Besides You
- Slim Slow Slider - I Start Breaking Down
- Sweet Thing
- The Way Young Lovers Do
- Cyprus Avenue - You Came Walking Down
- Ballerina
- Madame George
- Listen To The Lion - The Lion Speaks
- Common One
Van Morrison will perform "Astral Weeks" again at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in NYC, February 27 & 28. Accompanied by two different bands, he will play two sets per show: one of "Astral Weeks" cover to cover, the other of rarely played classics.
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