One of the greatest, most heart-wrenching and unique albums ever released. Definitely worth a full listen!

@havetlee9106

23 күн бұрын

true

Van morrison is a genius. A deep dive into his catalog would grant you treasures.

Madame George from this album is gorgeous.

Dock of the Bay is Otis Redding, a black American. Van is a white Irishman. Otis died in 1968 before that song was released.

@KalujaFlizck

2 ай бұрын

Weird reference. Lol!

@johncampbell756

2 ай бұрын

@@KalujaFlizck Me or him? He thought Van did Dock. Very different men.

From what I understand, and I invite correction, this album was executed in a very organic manner. I think Van had the lyrics going in, but had his musicians just kind of listen and jump in when they felt it. It really does have that feel and I think they nailed it. In this song, at the end… as he’s saying, “Got a home on high Ain't nothing but a stranger in this world I'm nothing but a stranger in this world I got a home on high In another land So far away So far away Way up in the heaven Way up in the heaven” The instruments get quiet, and the violin strings are playing those ascending notes, taking us with them, right up to Heaven. Genius.

Van the Man. Luv his music. Maybe one day you can react to his performance in the film The Last Waltz. It’s amazing.

@LonghopeBro-ju6jl

2 ай бұрын

I was at Winterland for that show. So many good performances from that night, and many are on KZread.

@tommycanadasmobazimmer

2 ай бұрын

@@LonghopeBro-ju6jl Yes and we have the triple album and the wonderful film

@SaneGrey952-yd6ex

2 ай бұрын

@@tommycanadasmobazimmer I didn't realize there was a film until years later when I watched it on tv. It brought back a lot of memories of that night. They opened the doors at 5 PM and it ran well past 2 AM. I just ordered the film on Blu-ray from Amazon. Thanks for the reminder.

@tommycanadasmobazimmer

2 ай бұрын

@@SaneGrey952-yd6ex I’m glad you did. In my view it’s still one of the best concert films out there. Shot on 35mm film helps

You detected a legendary masterpiece! One of the best singer songwriter albums of all times. Many of the busses on the hippie trail to India wrote Astral Weeks on their windows.

This song's outro -- a gentle landscape of Van's soulful voice, with elegant musicianship patiently taking its sweet time to finally conclude -- is as graceful as it gets.

This whole album is a masterpiece - written and recorded in autumn 1968 when Morrison was 23 (!). The core musicians, Connie Kay (drums), Richard Davis (bass) and Jay Berliner (guitar) were all master jazz musicians. The lyrics, vocal performances, and arrangements (effectively recorded live with strings and horns added afterwards) are mesmerising. And did I mention he was only 23 at the time!

The bass player is Richard Davis, one of the greatest jazz bassists from the 60s and 70s.

An iconic album to be sure! Thanks, Greybeard! I keep track of Nicknlex reactions to my favorite performers, and Van is definitely one of them! Check out their previous reactions to Moondance, Domino, Wavelength, Cleaning Windows, The Way Young Lovers Do, and A Brand New Day. Some of those were a while ago!

Have loved Van's music for decades. Feel blessed that I was only 18 when this album came out. On first listen, I listened to this record all night. It takes you to an alternate reality, a dream and so deep. When it came out, there was nothing else like it. And by the way, Van hired jazz musicians to play with him on this album.

Oh wow Nick that was a clanger! Sitting on the dock was Otis Redding lol!!

@NicknLex

2 ай бұрын

😅ops!

@johnnyhancock76

2 ай бұрын

You’re thinking of Brown Eyed Girl. That was Van’s big soul hit.

You can easily go down a rabbit hole with his music. Just like you did with Steely Dan, he has an incredible body of work. His work is jazz, blues, folk, rock n roll, gospel etc….

From Madame George: The love that loves the love that loves the love That loves the love that loves to love The love that loves to love the love purest poetry

@michaellaporte4951

Ай бұрын

A spiritual paraphrase of James Joyce, the patron saint of Irish poetry.

The genius of Van Morrison , like Bob Dylan, lyrically many times they have multiple stories going on in the same song…

Van is definitely one of my top five singer-songwriters. He is so good and has been for so long! I love Kingdom Hall, Into the Mystic, Wave Length, Moondance, etc etc.

A new song for me and I love it. All of those different instruments sharing their pretty moments. I think I'll listen a few times more. Then...tell my friends!

I've been a fan of Van Morrison since he was with "Them", and never could understand why he didn't get the respect he deserves. I moved to Bay Area from the UK in late '67 and was thrilled to see him become a part of the San Francisco music scene during the Bill Graham era. But since then, he mostly faded from view. I noticed his name popping up every so often, but lately his music is being resurrected, thanks in part to KZread.

"Astral Weeks" is a remarkable listen, the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts. My suggestion for another Van song would be "The Streets Of Arklow" off his next album "Veedon Fleece". Simply genius.

@dangabbert3944

2 ай бұрын

Just listened to Streets of Arklow about an hour ago. It’s a favorite of mine.

@psbarrow

2 ай бұрын

"Veedon Fleece" wasn't his next album, more like his sixth after "Astral Weeks".

@martinellis7156

2 ай бұрын

@@psbarrow I stand corrected - for whatever reason I always associate them together, being my 2 favourite albums. Both so wonderful.

@elijahFree2000

2 ай бұрын

Well said. Astral Weeks is meant to be listened to in its entirety.

@joelsaunders6742

2 ай бұрын

Veedon Fleece is amazing, but to be clear, it’s not his next album. His next album is the stone legendary Moondance. Veedon Fleece is like 6 years and 5 albums later.

"Sweet Thing" is another great song from this album.

the whole album is a unique masterpiece

Being old I was young when his song came out and I don't remember anyone of my generation even asking 'what is this song about?' about ANY song but I have noticed many young people doing reactions really sweat the meanings of songs.

@bradd8937

2 ай бұрын

Same thing with “genres”. I don’t remember people being so obsessed with trying to categorize artists by a genre.

Astral Weeks is a top five all-time great album for me. Pure musical poetry.

Great reaction, as usual. Thank you, both! Van Morrison is the greatest representative of Irish soul. His voice, compositions, and lyrics are fire. He was the singer for a Northern Irish band called "Them" that had a few hit songs including the huge hit Gloria, G L O R I A . His first album in 1967, Blowin' Your Mind, had the song Brown Eyed Girl. His next album, Astral weeks is one of my favorite albums of all time, every song is a masterpiece. Them there are all the next albums Moondance, His Band and The Street Choir (originally Virgo's Fool), Tupelo Honey, Saint Dominic's Preview... and on and on with the masterpieces. Dock of the Bay is another singer, Otis Redding. yet another amazing performer but not Irish 🙂

Lots of Van to love: Moondance, Tupelo Honey, Dominic’s Preview….more from Astral Weeks….sheesh, there is so much there.

Cyprus Avenue live is the greatest musical experience in the cosmos.

Omg , I’ve missed you guys!! This album has a few gems.. including this one, but you’d also luuuv ‘into the mystic’ and ‘Tupelo honey’.. van was a uniquely talented soulful artist..

Love this album to bits.

it's about what happens after the eclipse happens but it's really equally about the music....best album ever.

You need to listen to ‘In the Garden’ from the ‘No Guru No Method No Teacher’ album. Sublime.

The last minute of this track is magical!!!!

Nick&Lex. I’m not a big Van Morrison fan, but this album is magical. Very special!!

Van Morrison in the early days was so creative and this album was recorded in my hometown NYC .. my band used to cover his hit Moondance..

This song has been a guiding light for me since I’m 16 (now 53)..

This album was a jam session. The drummer and bass players were session players more connected to jazz. They just went with the vibe.... did a great job actually. I remember once finding a web site which pointed to the edit points on the tracks so they could fit on an LP.

Astral Weeks is one of the great albums of its era. Very influential.

Van has an amazing collection of great songs. A real rabbit hole for you to jump into !

SO GLAD you got to this album. Magical.

Great Dan request from Greybeard, Thanks.

Greatness. Van is the Man.

An amazing artist and this whole album is just perfection.

Huddle Ledbetter is a reference to leadbelly. Song is spiritual. My favorite is Cyrus Avenue, when enunciates “SHES GOT RAINBOW RIBBONS IN HER HAIR IT JUST GIVES ME CHILLS! The greatest IMO

Brilliant right? There's a whole world of Van to be enjoyed out there. Great suggestions below. Thanks! Needed this tonight.

A Great Dan request Eric and an inticement into the slipstream of beauty that is Van Morrison’s music. I know that there will be much more to come in the future. One of my favorites. You have heard Tupelo Honey covered by Cassandra Wilson as always the original is hard to beat. Time for a deep dive marathon into Van Morrison.

@greybeard2280

2 ай бұрын

I'm game for that marathon if you are✌️

@scottanderson8420

2 ай бұрын

😁 We could do a double whammy one of us does the HITS the other does the Deep Cuts. There is plenty of material.

@greybeard2280

2 ай бұрын

I'll follow your lead good sir! Whichever route you decide to go I'll go from there. You know me I'm good with the deep cuts.

@scottanderson8420

2 ай бұрын

Would you like to go 50 50 on a marathon? We probably should include maybe a good cover of a Van Morrison song to prevent blocking. Maybe we pick a cover and then you pick 2 and then I’ll pick 2. What do you think. JK has listed in the comments the songs he has already requested in previous Marathons. What do you think. 🤔 😁

You have to know 'Moondance'? If not, you'll like it when you hear it.

@NicknLex

2 ай бұрын

that's the one I meant we played!!!

@JKonstage

2 ай бұрын

Yep, they did it, as well as some other songs I just listed in another post. I try to keep track!

The Way Young Lovers Do - off of Astral Weeks, also Beside you, sweet thing. Thewhol thing, the guy on stand up bass is legend

The jazz great, Connie Kay on drums, then of The Modern Jazz Quartet; in addition to the aforementioned Richard Davis on bass. IIRC Kay said in an interview that they laid their parts down quickly, Morrison on the other side of the glass and not communicating with them pretty much at all, lol. They sound so great, it’s kind of hard to picture the disconnect. This album is far and away his most perfect, imo. There’s another great song on this record, “The Way Young Lovers Do.” And that was spectacularly covered by Jeff Buckley, too.

Great flick.. and ‘caravan’ is one of his best..

Van Morrison is great. Enjoyed this

In another time, in another place, in another face.

The song is a floating sparkling cloud that moves around the room at the right time of the evening. If you’re very quiet at night and you listen to the traffic sounds of the highway the notes move back and forth from D to A. And this song is like that.

Thanks @greybeard!

Entire record is awesome.

Saint Dominic's Preview is a must.

My favorite album of all time. Van is the man.

@NicknLex

2 ай бұрын

We can't wait for more!

Moondance is a gem.

You're in for a big treat, if you've somehow missed out on Van Morrison. Try Tupelo Honey for incredible blues singing, or if you ever need a burst of feel-good energy listen to "Jackie Wilson Said."

Otis Redding did Sitting on the Doc of the Bay.

@gerardodoherty9178

2 ай бұрын

And after he went to the doc's, he went down to the harbour side. 😂

Domino,sweet Janine,into the mystic,caravan,come running are just a few Van beauties

Dude, do not ever screw up and lose that beautiful woman sitting beside you!

Sitting On The Dock of the Bay was by Otis Redding.

This whole album is amazing.

Otis Redding sang “dock of the bay”

This is a fabulous album. All the instruments are wonderful throughout, but the stand up bass is transcendent. Van's songwriting and vocals rarely miss.

I still say the live album of his "Live in San Francisco" from 1993 or 1994 is one of the best live albums out there. It is worth seeking out. No vinyl as far as I know but a double CD set. Worth checking if your library has it as it is long out of print.

20 mins is nothing, we're used to Nick's 50 mins Marathons! 😁

Hey guys, I love Van Morrison, we go way back to high school. My first encounter with the opposite sex happened at a drive in movie while brown eyed girl was playing on the radio 1969 what a summer. Anyway... I've been listening to Nick's musical choices lately, I thought you might enjoy Joe Satriani Made for Tears live on KZread. Love your puppy... Marley is that correct?

Moondance is my favorite!

Summertime in England from the Common One album is a must. Not to everybody's taste (what is?) But one of my favourite albums by him.

Great album

Into The Mystic...

Victor Wooten has a special electric bass guitar where he can play with a bow as the body has really big cut outs at the waist of the bass body. Saw him play it and it was quite something to see. Fret board had something like a 5" radius. Fodera Bow Bass

Van the man may have done a cover but dock of the bay was by otis redding first day.

Van the man is up-their with Dylan.

Recomiendo un doble album en vivo "A Night In San Francisco" en 1994 con artistas invitados como Georgie Fame Candy Dulfer, John Lee Hooker, Junior Wells y Jimmy Witherspoon,. Tiene mas de cincuenta albums editados y es una leyenda. En la película documental sobre The Band, de Scorssese, "The Last Waitz", canta dos canciones y en el concierto de Berlín "The Wall" de Rogers Waters le da la réplica en Comfortably Numb.

'Standing with a look of avarice'... is the actual line you were having a problem with. Van's lyricism can be tricky, because he likes to get spiritual and go stream of consciousness. So it's sometimes just as much about the vibe as the actual words.

Van Morrison was in a band called Them who had a hit record call Gloria G L O R I A. EXCEPT for Van Rhem we're not very good I'm so we're replaced with session musicians one of whom very young Jamie Paige.

Top five album. Best bass in rock

Tupelo Honey is a very good Van Morrison song. A favorite.

The title song is actually about reincarnation, according to Morrison himself.

One of the more memorable tracks off 'Astral Weeks' imo. The album creates a unique feel and atmosphere, but its individual tracks always tended to meander and blur into each other for me.

A meditative chant

Doesn’t the last third of this song remind you of “I’m getting closer to my home” in I’m Your Captain by Grand Funk Railroad?

We know!! We all know.

MAR-MAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh and uh, is it time for the occasional green screen episode? How does that work anyway?

Sitting on top of the bay is Otis Redding

@justkaron

2 ай бұрын

Sitting on the dock of the bay.

@bmac1205

2 ай бұрын

bitting on the stock of the day!!!

@NicknLex

2 ай бұрын

🤣🤣🤣🤣 I love you guys!!!

@tommy8058

2 ай бұрын

bitten by a duck in the hay.🦆😂

@murdockreviews

2 ай бұрын

Sipping from a pot of old ale.

Luv me sum “blue money” Doit do you do, doit doit do ya do. Du dut. Kevin11-11

Ciro y los persas . Antes y después temaso y si pueden reaccionar a un vivo en estadio ferro mejor

Now listen to Sweet Thing.

React to Thin Lizzy Roisin Dubh

lulz... Otis is not Van - for absolutely 100% sure

Musical illiteracy helps when you do a reaction video. But it doesn't get you respect.