Van Morrison: Astral Weeks Live At The Hollywood Bowl

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 critical 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 night 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:

1. Astral Weeks - I Believe I've Transcended
2. Besides You
3. Slim Slow Slider - I Start Breaking Down
4. Sweet Thing
5. The Way Young Lovers Do
6. Cyprus Avenue - You Came Walking Down
7. Ballerina
8. Madame George
9. Listen To The Lion - The Lion Speaks
10. Common One

Van Morrison will perform "Astral Weeks" again, in show 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.

» vanmorrison.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astral_Weeks