#56 of 100
· Cratewise Editorial
“Van Morrison backed by some of the finest jazz session players in New York — Richard Davis on upright bass, Jay Berliner on guitar, Connie Kay on drums. The result is folk-jazz fusion that sounds like nothing else before or since.”
Van Morrison is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter born George Ivan Morrison in 1945, whose career spans over five decades of influential music-making. He first gained prominence as the lead singer of the R&B group Them in the mid-1960s before launching a solo career that produced the landmark 1968 album 'Astral Weeks,' widely regarded as one of the most innovative and introspective albums in popular music. Throughout the 1970s and beyond, Morrison released a series of critically acclaimed albums including 'Moondance' (1970), 'Saint Dominic's Preview' (1972), and 'Into the Music' (1979), establishing himself as a master of blending soul, rock, folk, and jazz influences. His distinctive husky voice and poetic, often spiritually-themed lyrics have made him a cornerstone of artistic integrity in rock music.
Style
Van Morrison's sound fuses soul, rock, R&B, and Celtic folk influences with literary, often spiritual lyrics and improvisational jazz-influenced arrangements. His music is characterized by emotionally raw vocals, sophisticated instrumentation, and a focus on feeling and atmosphere over commercial appeal.
Significance
Morrison is considered one of the greatest singer-songwriters in rock history, and his early albums, particularly 'Astral Weeks,' are essential purchases for serious vinyl collectors. His influence on artistic independence and the album-as-art-form remains significant to the vinyl collecting community.
Astral Weeks, recorded in New York City in late 1968, emerged from Van Morrison's turbulent transition period following his departure from Them. Frustrated with commercial pressures and contractual disputes, Morrison collaborated with producer Lewis Merenstein and an ensemble of jazz and classical musicians, including vibraphonist Larry Fallon, cellist Jack Schroer, and bassist Richard Davis. Rather than a traditional rock approach, Morrison pursued a more introspective, jazz-inflected sound that prioritized emotional authenticity over commercial appeal. The sessions were remarkably efficient—most tracks were recorded in just a handful of takes—with Morrison's raw, often deeply personal vocals capturing a sense of spiritual searching and vulnerability. The album's loosely structured arrangements and stream-of-consciousness lyricism reflected Morrison's desire to move beyond rock conventions into something more artistically ambitious.
Historical Context
Released in November 1968, Astral Weeks arrived during a period of significant creative experimentation across rock music, following the psychedelic era and preceding the singer-songwriter boom. The album was initially a commercial disappointment, failing to chart significantly and struggling against the prevailing tastes of mainstream radio. However, it gradually acquired cult status, particularly among critics and musicians who recognized its innovative fusion of Celtic folk, jazz, and introspective songwriting. By the 1970s, the album's influence became increasingly apparent, establishing Morrison as a serious artist rather than a pop hitmaker, and it eventually became recognized as one of the most important albums in popular music history.
Pressing Notes
The original Warner Bros. pressing (WS 1768) from 1968 is highly sought after by collectors, with early copies commanding premium prices. Early pressings featured 'W7' and 'WB' labels and were pressed at various facilities, with slight sonic variations. The album has been reissued multiple times, including audiophile versions by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab and more recently by Rhino/Warner. Collectors should seek original pressing first editions for the best audio quality and historical value, though some prefer later, better-mastered reissues. Gatefold jacket variations exist, and original copies in excellent condition are increasingly rare.
Also Appears On
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“Is it folk? Jazz? Soul? Chamber pop? The answer is yes to all of those and none of them. Van recorded these sessions in two days with jazz musicians he'd never met, and the result transcends every genre it touches. The Warner Bros. pressing is a mystical experience.”
The Sunday Morning 25
“A stream-of-consciousness drift through memory and desire. 'Sweet Thing' is the most gentle thing Van Morrison ever recorded. Let it wash over you.”
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