Tracklisting: Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl

Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl

Recorded in 1968 when the Belfast-bred, blues-rock music legend Van Morrison was just 22 years old, Astral Weeks immediately received critical acclaim and continues to be cited as one of the greatest albums of the rock era. Subsequently the album has been ranked on numerous Best Albums of All Time lists, including #19 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and the 40th Greatest Album Ever on VH-1’s list in 2003. Both Astral Weeks and Moondance (Morrison’s next album) were inducted in the Grammy® Hall of Fame.

Astral Weeks became a cult favorite and was regarded almost as a musical religion to many artists. On November 7 and 8, 2008, four decades later to the day, at the age 63, Van Morrison revisited Astral Weeks live in its entirety at the Hollywood Bowl and delivered a jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring performance.

Astral Weeks Live At The Hollywood Bowl (February 10, 2009)

Featured Tracks
1. Astral Weeks - I Believe I've Transcended
2. Beside You
3. Slim Slow Slider - I Start Breaking Down
4. Sweet Thing
5. The Way Young Lovers Do
6. Cyprus Avenue - You Came Walking Down
7. Ballerina - Move On Up
8. Madame George
9. Listen To The Lion - The Lion Speaks
10. Common One
Bonus Track (LP)
Gloria

Van Morrison Returns To EMI Music

EMI Press Release: Legendary soul singer Van Morrison returns to EMI Music

The live recording of Astral Weeks Live At The Hollywood Bowl (February 10, 2009) to be released worldwide by EMI Music in early 2009 on Morrison's own Listen To The Lion Records

December 18, 2008, New York – Multi-award-winning legendary soul singer and songwriter Van Morrison has returned to EMI Music, with a live recording slated for release in early 2009. The album marks the first record to be issued on Morrison’s own label, Listen To The Lion Records, which will be distributed worldwide by EMI. The album captures the widely-acclaimed live performance Morrison gave at the venerable Hollywood Bowl in November, which featured a breathtaking recreation of the Astral Weeks album.

“I brought these records to EMI because they seem to have people with vision, who have ‘ears’ and who understand the significance of the complex arrangements and the classic essence of recordings like Astral Weeks,“ said Van Morrison. “They’re committed to maintaining the integrity of the records I make. That is what it’s all about to me.”

“Van Morrison is a true living legend, and he continues to inspire artists and fans that span generations and genres,” said Nick Gatfield, EMI Music’s president, A&R – North America and UK/Ireland. “We are delighted he is bringing his label to EMI and are very excited to bring his first release to the world.”

In his remarkable career, Morrison has become one of the most influential artists in the modern age. His album Astral Weeks, originally released 40 years ago, was heralded as a groundbreaking work and today is universally regarded as one of the most important albums in popular music history. Timeless music from the soul, Astral Weeks is ranked one of the greatest albums of all time by Mojo, Rolling Stone and Britain’s The Times.

“EMI has had the good fortune to work with Van over the years, but I am personally excited about this release because I worked with Van back in 1968 on the release of the original Astral Weeks recording” said Ian Ralfini, Senior Vice President, EMI Music. “This particular show at the Bowl was electrifying. For some of us it was a little bit of nostalgia and for others it was a brand new experience. But for everyone it was a great concert and a piece of musical history. We are honored that Van has returned to EMI.”

Astral Weeks Live CD & DVD Update

L.A. Times Music Blog: Van Morrison fans who waited 40 years to hear the first live performances of his 1968 album "Astral Weeks" last month at the Hollywood Bowl will have to hold out a few more weeks for the live recording from the recent concerts.

Morrison originally announced plans to release a vinyl LP edition of the live set by Christmas, with a CD and DVD to follow after the first of the year.

A spokesman for the Rock and Hall of Fame musician said Tuesday that it might be February before the recording is ready, in part because Morrison is considering a follow-up “Astral Weeks” concert in New York in the new year.
-Randy Lewis

Rolling Stone: 100 Greatest Singers Of All Time

Rolling Stone has put out a list of the 100 Greatest singers of all time as voted by music artists, journalists and music industry insiders.

You can view the ballots to see how artists voted.

Van contributed his thoughts on Sam Cooke.

4 | Sam Cooke
by Van Morrison

If a singer is not singing from the soul, I do not even want to listen to it — it's not for me.

Sam Cooke reached down deep with pure soul. He had the rare ability to do gospel the way it's supposed to be — he made it real, clean, direct. Gospel drove Sam Cooke through his greatest songs, the same way it did for Ray Charles, who came first, and Otis Redding.

He had an incomparable voice. Sam Cooke could sing anything and make it work. But when you're talking about his strength as a singer, range is not relevant. It was his power to deliver — it was about his phrasing, the totality of his singing.

He did a lot of great songs, but "Bring It on Home to Me" is a favorite. It's just a well-crafted song with a great lyric and melody. It's a song that's written to allow you to go wherever you can with it. "A Change Is Gonna Come" is another song I covered; it's a great arrangement.

Not many people can play this music anymore, not the way Sam Cooke did it, coming directly from the church. What can we learn from a singer like him, from listening to songs like "A Change Is Gonna Come"? It depends on who the singer is and what they are capable of, where their head is and how serious they are. But Sam Cooke was born to sing.

24 | Van Morrison

John Lee Hooker called Van Morrison "my favorite white blues singer." Morrison has left his mark on over 40 years' worth of rock, blues, folk, jazz and soul, as well as several genres that only really exist on his records. He's the most painterly of vocalists, a master of unexpected phrasing whose voice can transform lyrics into something abstract and mystical — most famously on his repetition of ". . . and the love that loves the love . . .," on "Madame George," from Astral Weeks. Morrison's growls and ululations inspired singers from Bob Seger to Bruce Springsteen to Dave Matthews. Sometimes they can even be an overwhelming influence: Bono said that he had to stop listening to Morrison's records before making U2's The Unforgettable Fire because "I didn't want his very original soul voice to overpower my own."