Guest ArtistConnie Kay, Jay Berliner, Richard Davis
DistributionWea
Number of Tracks12
Country/Region of ManufactureUnited States, Ireland, England
GuitarVan Morrison, Jay Berliner
BassRichard Davis
EngineerBrooks Arthur
Additional InformationThe Celtic soul man's Warner debut is considered a rock & roll classic, but it isn't rock & roll at all.
ReviewsRanked #6 in Q's "100 Greatest British Albums" - "...Its musical daring, mantra-like incantations and kaleidoscopic use of language is still beyond cosy categorization....recalling his provincial, '50s Belfast youth with an almost feverish imigination and regret...", Ranked #19 in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time" - "...ASTRAL WEEKS is Morrison going deep inside himself, to the far corners of his life and art, without a net or fear...", Ranked #15 in Nme's List of the `Greatest Albums of All Time.', "One of rock's crowning glories and, with Morrison at times entering an almost trance-like state of rapture, the very apex of his art.", "It’s a real hybrid; the bluesy twang of Morrison’s voice, the folk and classical underpinnings of the musical arrangements, the jazz cadences.", "ASTRAL WEEKS gets cited as a seminal album as often as rain falls. It’s Van Morrison’s masterpiece and an undisputed classic among music fans."
Hi all, I first heard the Bang recordings. Astral Weeks followed about a year later. I much prefer the energy and emotional feel of the Bang recordings, and get a bit lost with Astral Weeks. Two completely different experiences. Like two different artists. You choose where to start...
This remastered version is well overdue and to my ears only sounds slightly better than the original. The extra tracks are only other takes of some of the the originals so nothing new included. Packaging is minimal cardboard foldout sleeve with a booklet.
I have given it 5 stars because its a great album and this new version is not expensive and worth acquiring especially if you haven't already got a copy of the original.
It is widely agreed that Astral Weeks is one of the great achievements in music in the late 20th century, beyond category as the musicians accompany Van Morrison on a quest through his past and into his future. The addition of outtakes and unedited versions is a boon to those who have delighted in its twists and turns.