Van Morrison - Astral Weeks

Van Morrison — Astral Weeks

Morrison's timeless masterpiece — folk, jazz, and soul collide!

Part of the Acoustic Sounds 40 Series

Releasing 40 titles to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Acoustic Sounds!

Hybrid SACD

Mastered to DSD by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering lab

Mastered from a flat 24/192 digital transfer of the original master tape. EQ'd through The Mastering Lab's analog all-tube system

Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time No. 60/500!

As Rolling Stone puts it, "Van Morrison's second album is quite unlike his first. For a start, there's nothing on it like ‘Brown Eyed Girl,' and that's what the world was expecting." 

The founder of Bang Records, the label he was signed to, had unexpectedly died. His widow blamed Morrison as the two had been arguing over the direction of his new music. Bert Berns wanted Morrison to head to a more pop orientated sound, but Morrison wanted to explore new terrain. Following the death, Morrison was blocked from recording. Warner Brothers, who subsequently signed Morrison helped him out of that deal. And Morrison set to work on recording a folk rock masterpiece, a stream of consciousness record with music a mix between folk, blues, jazz and even classical music.

Astral Weeks is more than an album — it's an experience. Van Morrison's 1968 masterpiece defies genre, while rewarding listeners with new emotional and musical discoveries. It's a fusion of folk, jazz improvisation, and ethereal soul that transports the listener to another realm. Often regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time, Astral Weeks doesn't fit neatly into any category. It's Morrison's most emotional vocal performance — his voice soars, whispers, and wails, delivering poetic lyrics with an intensity that feels deeply personal yet universally resonant.

With upright bass, flute, vibraphone, and acoustic guitar weaving hypnotic textures, the album's organic, free-flowing arrangements create an unparalleled sense of atmosphere. Morrison's stream-of-consciousness lyrics paint vivid, mystical portraits of youth, love, nostalgia, and longing. Tracks such as "Madame George" and "Cyprus Avenue" are cinematic in their storytelling.

Van Morrison fans will immediately recognize Astral Weeks as his most adventurous and soul-baring work. It's not just music-it's a meditative, dreamlike journey that lingers long after the final note fades.

Mastered to DSD by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab (Mastered from a flat 24/192 digital transfer of the original master tape. EQ'd through The Mastering Lab's analog all-tube system). 

 

 

1. Astral Weeks

2. Beside You

3. Sweet Thing

4. Cyprus Avenue

5. Young Lovers Do

6. Madame George

7 Ballerina

8. Slim Slow Slider

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