I never knew who sang Moondance but it popped up on some site I was listening to so I decided to finally give him a shot. needless to say I found out he had quite a few songs I was familiar with but going into the catalog he had about a 4 album stretch where Cissy Houston did background vocals for him and man dude was killing it. y'all be holding out lol
and a bit underrated or misunderstood, too. I think precisely because most of Moondance was a single or movie hit at some point, along with the ubiquity of brown-eyed girl, a lot of folks don't know just how much music he's put out and how varied it is. His catalog is substantial and he's continued to add great contributions to it over the years (in other words, he never lost his talent/verve). And a lot of folks have never heard his more out there stuff: Astral Weeks, Veedon Fleece, Common One.
There's a lot to slog through at times but there are few artists who, when they get it right, really get it right like he does.
astral weeks is, without hyperbole, one of the best albums ever recorded
other albums that are crazy slept on (aka, not moondance): Hard Nose The Highway Saint Dominic Preview His Band & the Street Choir Tupelo Honey Wavelength (one of my personal faves)
7. "so far I think Hard Nose The Highway is my favorite" In response to Reply # 3
>this is prob my favorite live bootleg of all time >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXTAC1EudB8 > >astral weeks is, without hyperbole, one of the best albums >ever recorded > >other albums that are crazy slept on (aka, not moondance): >Hard Nose The Highway >Saint Dominic Preview >His Band & the Street Choir >Tupelo Honey >Wavelength (one of my personal faves)
after the incredible Moondance album. and yes I was blown away by Astral Weeks. I think I should do a reaction video next time I stumble upon an artist to deep dive into. BTW I'ma look into Them. I had no idea what you talking about at first lol. great name for a band
5. "Welcome my man, van is incredible " In response to Reply # 0
One of the most rewarding artists to do a deep dive on. The posters here have let you know his big albums. I'd also add Into the Music, and no guru no master no teacher. But for real, listen to Astral Weeks and Veedon Fleece.
Also, moondance has one of the best Side A of any album, regardless of genre.
6. "talk to me about No Guru" In response to Reply # 5 Tue Feb-25-20 04:34 PM by fontgangsta
because once we get into the 80s, but certainly the late 80s, i fall off Van a good bit.
the arrangements get less interesting and the vocals just starting getting too mushy for me in this era. He just starts sounding real old all of a sudden IMO.
8. "I ended at Into The Music, gonna do the 80s this weekend" In response to Reply # 5
>One of the most rewarding artists to do a deep dive on. The >posters here have let you know his big albums. I'd also add >Into the Music, and no guru no master no teacher. But for >real, listen to Astral Weeks and Veedon Fleece. > >Also, moondance has one of the best Side A of any album, >regardless of genre.
9. "Welcome aboard...I’m jealous" In response to Reply # 0
I remember when I was younger and working construction and used to just talk to the OG about music all day. He said “just get a Van Morrison greatest hits album and I guarantee every song will make you say ‘I didn’t know he sang that’”
I used to start off with the Greatest Hits and then dive in if I liked the artist.
Needless to say, I got everything from Van I could find back then.
Astral Weeks Moondance Tupelo Honey Veedon Fleece
I mean, these are all-time unfuckwitable albums we are talking here.
I wish I could hear all this stuff for the first time like you are.
Printer-friendly copy 
Email this topic to a friend
The Lesson
