Van Morrison - Moondance

Van Morrison went a long way towards defining his wild Irish heart with his first two classic albums: the brooding, introspective Astral Weeks and the expansive, swinging Moondance. If the first was the work of a poet, its sequel was the statement of a musician and bandleader. Moondance is that rare rock album where the band has buffed the arrangements to perfection and where the sax solos instead of the guitar. The band puts out a jazzy shuffle on “Moondance” and plays it soulful on “These Dreams of You”. The album includes both Morrison’s most romantic ballad (“Crazy Love”) and his most haunting (“Into the Mystic”). “And It Stoned Me” rolled off Morrison’s tongue like a favourite fable, while “Caravan” told a tale full of emotional intrigue. Moondance stood out in the rock world of 1970 like a grown-up in a kiddie matinee. —John Milward

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‘Moondance’ is, in my opinion, THE BEST popular music album ever recorded. Yes I’m a Beatles fan, Yes I’m a Dylan fan, Yes I’m a Beach Boys fan, Yes I’m a Stevie Wonder fan. Even if you don’t agree with that first sentence, you have to agree that side A (of the LP) is the greatest sequence of tunes ever committed to vinyl.
In every way, this album is incredible – lyrically it’s superb, the singing is the very best of one of the best, the musicianship and arrangements are staggeringly good, and the whole atmosphere is just on another level. Breathtaking.

1. And It Stoned Me
2. Moondance
3. Crazy Love
4. Caravan
5. Into The Mystic
6. Come Running
7. These Dreams Of You
8. Brand New Day
9. Everyone
10. Glad Tidings