 Van Morrison There's something kinda wacky about a "classic" CD that bears the marking "Produced by Lewis Merenstein for Inherit Productions, A Division of Schwald- Merenstein" on the back label. All polysyllabic last names aside, this is a pretty damn good CD. Mellow, but powerful; powerful, but mellow. Van "the Man" gets going with "Astral Weeks," an enrapturing acoustic guitar/string tour-de-force that grips you from the first note. "Beside You" has a nice "stare at the chick you love" kind of thing going on … pretty effective. "Sweet Thing" sounds even better here in its right context than on the Best Of CD (although that one's mastered better). A real masterpiece. "Cyprus Avenue" has a friendly harpsichord that invites you down he street of Van's fancy. "The Way Young Lovers Do," one of the most underrated songs of the 60s propels what used to be the beginning of side 2. Play it loud … play it soft, it doesn't matter … WOW. It was later covered by Maria McKee, who managed to almost beat it, even. "Madame George" may be a little lengthy, but when you only have eight songs, and you're not Yes, one of them has to drag along to honor your record contract. I usually skip it. "Ballerina" is pretty, hence the name. "Slim Slow Slider" is not bad either, but the last three songs pale in comparison to the fierce, passionate "Way Young Lovers Do." Not exactly perfect, and not Van's best record, despite what "they" say. Astral Weeks is great for the bedroom, great for a road trip. It's a nice welcome listen on occasion, like a phone call from an old friend from high school. You used to hang out with them, and it's nice to hear from them, but you'd kill them if you had to hear from them everyday. Bask in the warm glow, go ahead … but infrequently.
Review by Casey Blick |