Van Morrison - Astral Weeks

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.Lacquers cut by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab at 45 RPM (Mastered from a flat 24/192 digital transfer of the original master tape. EQ'd through The Mastering Lab's analog all-tube system). Pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings, and housed in a tip-on old style gatefold double pocket jacket by Stoughton Printing.Morrison's timeless masterpiece - folk, jazz, and soul collide!Part of the Acoustic Sounds 40 SeriesReleasing 40 titles to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Acoustic Sounds!180-gram 45 RPM double LPMastered by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering LabMastered from a flat 24/192 digital transfer of the original master tape. EQ'd through The Mastering Lab's analog all-tube systemPressed at Quality Record PressingsTip-on old style gatefold double pocket jacket by Stoughton PrintingRolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time No. 60/500!Tracklist:LP 1 Side A1. Astral Weeks2. Beside YouLP 1 Side B1. Sweet Thing2. Cyprus AvenueLP 2 Side A1. Young Lovers Do2. Madame GeorgeLP 2 Side B1. Ballerina2. Slim Slow Slider

Pressed on 180gram vinyl. Mastered from the original analog master tapes and it features all original packaging 1968's Astral Weeks remains not only Morrison's masterpiece, but one of the greatest records ever made. A haunting, deeply personal collection of impressionistic Folk styled epics recorded by an All Star Jazz backing unit including bassist Richard Davis and drummer Connie Kay, it's poetic complexity earned critical raves but made only a minimal commercial impact. Astral Weeks had been dark and anguished.