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Astral Weeks

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Astral Weeks · In early 1968, Van Morrison was stuck in a contract dispute with Bang Records, which meant he could not record. He played in clubs around Boston, first with a bassist and later with a flautist, in an acoustic line-up. Warner Bros. eventually signed him. Producer Lewis Merenstein brought jazz musicians to the Century Sound Studios in New York, including bassist Richard Davis, guitarist Jay Berliner and drummer Connie Kay.

The recording took place on 25 September and 1 and 15 October 1968. Morrison sang and played guitar in a separate booth while the band played together without scores. Strings and horns were added later, to his displeasure. The music mixes folk, blues, jazz and classical influences and differs greatly from his earlier pop success Brown Eyed Girl. The record initially failed to catch on, but grew into one of the most important albums in rock.

Listening

Listening tip. In Astral Weeks, listen to how the acoustic guitar, the bass and the vocals sound together as a freely flowing whole, without a strict rhythm.

Track list

  1. 1Astral Weeks7:04Apple Music ↗
  2. 2Beside You5:13Apple Music ↗
  3. 3Sweet Thing4:22Apple Music ↗
  4. 4Cyprus Avenue6:56Apple Music ↗
  5. 5The Way Young Lovers Do3:12Apple Music ↗
  6. 6Madame George9:41Apple Music ↗
  7. 7Ballerina6:00Apple Music ↗
  8. 8Slim Slow Slider3:20Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗

Categories: Albums and songs