Van Morrison “Moondance”
Van Morrison “Moondance” 1970. Today, August 31st is Van Morrison’s 75th birthday (b. George Ivan Morrison, 1945) so I’m spinning his third solo studio LP, a huge critical and commercial success (#29 US, #32 UK). Still jazzy like his previous album Astral Weeks, Moondance is much more accessible with some pop sensibilities, r&b and folk influences (the 1968 Astral Weeks was considered a failure until relatively recently; it’s now viewed as one of the best albums ever released). Though not the typical kind of music I listen to, I really really love Moondance. “Stoned Me” is innocently folky, “Caravan” is a great groover and the singles are amazing, too. The r&b infused “Come Running” was the first single going to #39 in the US and the sweet bluesy “Crazy Love” went to #122 in the UK (it was originally the b-side to “Come Running”). The jazzy title track “Moondance” was the final single but it wasn’t released until 1977 (#92 US). My favorite track, however, by far is the smoothly beautiful “Into the Mystic” which still gives me goosebumps. Critics agree, rating “Into the Mystic” Morrison’s best song ever.
Daily (maybe) pulls from the vault: 33-1/3, 45, 78, old, older, classic, new, good, bad. Subjective. Autobiographical. Occasionally putting a record up for sale.