One of the greatest albums EVER -- and definitely Van's best. You really should give a listen to the entire album ASTRAL WEEKS -- it's a life-changer -- like Marvin Gaye's WHAT'S GOING ON? or Joni Mitchell's HEJIRA. Obviously dating myself here. 😂
I bought this LP as a new release back in 1968. Months later saw him perform it live. After awhile it doesn't matter what it "means". Try "Slim Slow Slider".
"Astral Weeks" is still one of my favorite albums - after all these years. The arrangements (especially with the strings supporting the other acoustic instruments), the atmosphere created, all hold up. Love Richard Davis' standup bass work. This album, and Brian Eno's "Another Green World", are really unusual in that they could almost be described as "pastoral" (and what other Rock albums are pastoral?!). It's like looking out over a lush valley and noticing that there are various animals in the landscape, and birds, dragonflies, butterflies, etc. darting about - all described by the various backing instruments.
it's hard to argue that it's not his best, because it's hard to argue that it's not one of the most inspired works of art in music of all time. but in recent years i've been stuck on veedon fleece and encouraging folks to give it a spin. it's also quite extraordinary.
@@zappafan3473 Morrison definitely went through different phases, and there's usually at least one album that best represents that phase. With a lot of artists I end up loving some lesser known/forgotten album that everyone else passed by. I get bored with the obvious and 'iconic'. But that's just me.
So glad ya'll did this. I remember this from his experimental "Astral Weeks" LP. I got lost in the ozone with this LP, which is still my favorite of his.
For me, it's the greatest song on Astral Weeks. Strange album, I didn't like it that much on the first listen but after a couple of plays it's one of the all time top ten. It's also funny that my fellow countryman Morrison is a complete, cantankerous prick of the highest order.
I too didn't like on first listen I think because of expectations. Months later I casually listened on headphones, initially as background accompanying some other task I was occupied with, and it was revelatory.
Apparently Van gave no directions to the accompanying musicians in the studio. The musicians who played with him on Astral Weeks were some of the very best.
There's a book called Astral Weeks. Gives you all you need to know about the album. Some of the songs he had already been doing prior to the album release. They brought in a group of jazz musicians. There was not much communication as to what he wanted. Most of the album were recorded in a day after drinking some wine. Beside you and Madame George were previously released for Bang records a much different version. Van cut the whole album live for the 40th anniversary in 2008. I can go on and on, but if interested, read the book. And more importantly, listen to the whole album.
Drienck-You NAILED it. ASTRAL WEEKS and VEEDON FLEECE. Two of the best albums recorded in the 1960s-present era of pop-rock-soul-blues music. VM stands head and shoulders above all. Remarkable songwriter, singer/vocalist, and musician.
A beautiful song about a Qween done in the 70 when it was taboo. My sister and I would listen to this before going to sleep on our portable record player. I hope you have changed your mind about the song. It has always been a deliciously atmospheric truffle of a song that I will always crave.
Took me years to be able to appreciate Astral Weeks, but it is a masterpiece and this is the standout track, Two other albums of his I would place on a level are Moondance and the underrated Veedon Fleece
the depth of meaning in these lyrics is just incredible. the line 'and you know you've got to go, on the train from dublin up to sandy row' is referencing a time on our island before the sectarian troubles really took hold. sandy row is a protestant stronghold in belfast, and once the IRA began their campaign in the 1960's there was really not much more traveling to Dublin by the protestant community. it's a throwaway line that is steeped in meaning and reference, a bittersweet nod to calmer more innocent times.
“Get on the train, the train…” “Hey love, you forgot your gloves…” Yes, such depth. The train, the train darling This is the train, this is the train darling This is the train
van didn't give any creadance to that interpretation of the "sandy row" lyric, but when you hear his own "non" explanations you know he's talking crap. my original impression was that sandy row must be a prison then without knowing the real sandy row i agree with you...i thought it was about a duty to a cause.
The train from Dublin ended at Sandy Row in the 60's...the real historical reference is "throwing pennies at the bridges down below".....this would happen as the train crossed the river Boyne in Drogheda
I remember as a schoolboy in 1973 buying Rory Gallagher’s Tattoo and reading a review of that album where the writer suggested Rory was coming under the influence of Van Morrison’s music, with its feel and imagery around gypsies and rural Ireland. I bought Moondance (he was right) and Astral Weeks. Two very different records and both excellent in their own ways. Astral Weeks rapidly became my favourite album and fifty years later, it remains so, though I don’t play it so much now. It was good to hear Madam George - along with Cypress Avenue one of the two best tracks on the album. I don’t think I have heard anyone else review it. For a long time end of year polls in the British music press put Astral Weeks and Dylan’s Blonde On Blonde as the great albums in modern music.
Totally agree with you they are both on my desert Island list...that and beatles White Album are all you really need . They are the best albums ever made !!!
My favouite song ever by any artist.. Its not that Im a crazy Van fan .. I just fell in love with this song the first time I heard it and the more I listened the more I heard.. Its so delicately crafted and multi layered .. A beautifully constructed piece, So complex yet so simple. It takes me on a journey every time and its always a pleasure trip ! The violins almost weep and never fail to move me.. A work of art. A work of genius and as detailed and well put together as any classical compositon.. The woman hasno idea and its a shame Van has to be judged by a musical pagan
When I first heard this song many years ago when someone played me "Astral Weeks " I was blown away with the beauty dreamlike quality,I still have a copy but only on CD. Near 20 years later another band "The Waterboys " recorded their master piece " Fisherman's Blues " and do a fantastic version of "Sweet Thing " but nearly twice as long as "Vans version on "Astral Weeks " but both brilliant,play them both and see.
If you like this you ought try the book Ulysses by James Joyce. His writting is very stream of consciousness and as a fellow Irishman I'm sure he had a big influence on Van Morrison. BTW FYI every album from Van Morrison is "the" album from Van Morrison!
There were no real arrangements. This is how it was described. No prep, no meeting", recalls Davis. "He was remote from us, 'cause he came in and went into a booth ... And that's where he stayed, isolated in a booth. I don't think he ever introduced himself to us, nor we to him ... And he seemed very shy".[18] Drummer Connie Kay later told Rolling Stone that he approached Morrison and asked "what he wanted me to play, and he said to play whatever I felt like playing. We more or less sat there and jammed.
It certainly gives you that impression in the climax, when Van starts humming that sort of arpeggio over the melody and then the violins get on it and copy it and take it to the greatest heights. So moving.
Lou Reeds walk one the wild side set in steamy New York city story lined a life without the compassion, fragility and humanity a young Van captures emotionally and lyrically for Madam George. Violin and Voice scattering rose petals in the otherwise cynical Cypress Avenue of dealers sailor boys and undercover cops.
This album was done in three days by NY studio musicians in a fog of MJ smoke at The PowerStation (I think). I knew the guitarist Jay Berliner, he said that Van Morrison basically gave verbal instructions to the musicians and then they just jammed the song(s) until they clicked. What a magnificent result!
I was almost thrown by Sifa's deadpan first thoughts, until she expanded the feigned dislike to the strings too. :) As others have said, repeated playing and listening really improves the appreciation of this whole brilliant album .... it's not always a first-time lovefest.
So pleased to finally see someone reacting to this so NOT trash of a song. F'ing making me late getting out the house as I encountered this unexpectedly. "Beside You" or "Slim Slow Slider" would be my zero cents worth choices as follow-ups.
David Gray’s gorgeous song Say Hello, Wave Goodbye, off his album White Ladder, used some lyrics from Madame George in the final third of the song: “the rain, hail, sleet and snow,” “say goodbye..” I’m pretty sure there is an Into the Mystic reference in the song too. To top it off, said David Gray song is a cover of the original 80s Soft Cell song by the same name. It’s all a bit meta 😂 Also, both Van and D. Gray are Irishmen
Van sings it as "Madame Joy". It was later that he changed the title to Madame George. Van can't give a specific reason why he changed the title, but kept the original recording where he sand Madame Joy.
I get so lost in this song it was a long while before I became aware just how simple it is. There is a direct line of inspiration from this to Jungleland by Bruce Springsteen, although the two songs are very different.
I saw him live once in the '90s. He was less exciting than this song is. His band was tight and as a musician I was impressed. He was a voice without "presence". There was not one moment where I thought "Wow, what a performer!" It was one of the worst performances I have ever seen. Sure, hit every note perfectly... mind-numbingly boringly perfectly.
Sifa, sorry you didn't like the song. From that dreamy look on your face, I thought maybe you were somewhere else. :) It's always been amazing to me that some of Van's music can transport you into another realm. Maybe an Astral realm.
This sounds remarkably similar to a song called My Pal Foot Foot by a band called the Shaggs. I hate Van Morrison even more now than I did when I was young.
In my universe, this baroque mysticism is as beautiful as music gets. Utterly transporting.
As others have said, Astral Weeks is one of the greatest albums of all time. You should listen to the entire album. You won't be disappointed.
Veedon Fleece
@@gforce4063 that's a great one too but to me Astral Weeks is his greatest work.
This song often makes me weep
Yes, yes, yes, the great album, an absolute must. Sublime. 🥰
The great Richard Davis is on bass. 93 years old and still going strong today.
Wow, didnae realise he was still at it. He & Connie Kay used to play with Chet way back..
@@jonathanwilkinson1461Sadly, the great Richard Davis passed away last month in September.
Great shame, thanx for putting me in the picture..@@fuchsiaswing8545
This is a timeless masterpiece. It affects me the same as when I first heard it. Absolutely love love love love
Its trance like, One of the all time great songs.
One of the greatest albums EVER -- and definitely Van's best. You really should give a listen to the entire album ASTRAL WEEKS -- it's a life-changer -- like Marvin Gaye's WHAT'S GOING ON? or Joni Mitchell's HEJIRA. Obviously dating myself here. 😂
Nice album comparisons.
Yes. This album, without doubt, changed my life.
I bought this LP as a new release back in 1968. Months later saw him perform it live.
After awhile it doesn't matter what it "means".
Try "Slim Slow Slider".
Astral Weeks is such a great album. Van’s voice : what an instrument it is.
"Astral Weeks" is still one of my favorite albums - after all these years. The arrangements (especially with the strings supporting the other acoustic instruments), the atmosphere created, all hold up. Love Richard Davis' standup bass work. This album, and Brian Eno's "Another Green World", are really unusual in that they could almost be described as "pastoral" (and what other Rock albums are pastoral?!). It's like looking out over a lush valley and noticing that there are various animals in the landscape, and birds, dragonflies, butterflies, etc. darting about - all described by the various backing instruments.
it's hard to argue that it's not his best, because it's hard to argue that it's not one of the most inspired works of art in music of all time. but in recent years i've been stuck on veedon fleece and encouraging folks to give it a spin. it's also quite extraordinary.
@@zappafan3473 Morrison definitely went through different phases, and there's usually at least one album that best represents that phase. With a lot of artists I end up loving some lesser known/forgotten album that everyone else passed by. I get bored with the obvious and 'iconic'. But that's just me.
Reasonable expectation for Van Morrison = thoughtful , well crafted .
Meets and exceeds , routinely .
Definition of timeless brilliance .
When I was 15, in 1970, this song was pure food to my young, aching soul... and still is... thank you Van!
This is a van Morrison classic. You got to be a Van Morrison fan to know this song.
Pure class. One of my favourite singers Bap Kennedy did Brilliant covers of this song. Sadly died of cancer at only 54 in Nov 1st 2016.
RIP🕊️❤️
"In the rain, hail, sleet, and snow" - even that's enough to make it ingenious.
Bought this in 85, been my favorite albulm since.
So glad ya'll did this. I remember this from his experimental "Astral Weeks" LP. I got lost in the ozone with this LP, which is still my favorite of his.
bass on this album is legend
For me, it's the greatest song on Astral Weeks. Strange album, I didn't like it that much on the first listen but after a couple of plays it's one of the all time top ten. It's also funny that my fellow countryman Morrison is a complete, cantankerous prick of the highest order.
Also, incredible use of the power of repetition in this song. Morrison is the ultimate master of that technique.
I too didn't like on first listen I think because of expectations. Months later I casually listened on headphones, initially as background accompanying some other task I was occupied with, and it was revelatory.
Not a prick at all - he just doesn’t suffer fools gladly - he’s one of the few artist that has kept it real over all these years -
Love Van’s honesty
@@RMcGivern KLOPT HELEMAAL
Apparently Van gave no directions to the accompanying musicians in the studio. The musicians who played with him on Astral Weeks were some of the very best.
He lucked in on the players.
More brilliance from the 1960s
There's a book called Astral Weeks. Gives you all you need to know about the album. Some of the songs he had already been doing prior to the album release. They brought in a group of jazz musicians. There was not much communication as to what he wanted. Most of the album were recorded in a day after drinking some wine. Beside you and Madame George were previously released for Bang records a much different version. Van cut the whole album live for the 40th anniversary in 2008. I can go on and on, but if interested, read the book. And more importantly, listen to the whole album.
Thanks Jim!
The bass player is just killing it on this song
Drienck-You NAILED it. ASTRAL WEEKS and VEEDON FLEECE. Two of the best albums recorded in the 1960s-present era of pop-rock-soul-blues music. VM stands head and shoulders above all. Remarkable songwriter, singer/vocalist, and musician.
Great song🤩and the instruments was fantastic,especially the strings🎻🎻🎻and he always singing very soulful 😇
A beautiful song about a Qween done in the 70 when it was taboo. My sister and I would listen to this before going to sleep on our portable record player. I hope you have changed your mind about the song. It has always been a deliciously atmospheric truffle of a song that I will always crave.
Took me years to be able to appreciate Astral Weeks, but it is a masterpiece and this is the standout track, Two other albums of his I would place on a level are
Moondance and the underrated Veedon Fleece
I’d love to hear this whole album!
Beautiful album, brings back beautiful memories, worth the tears, please do listen to it, either here or relaxing at home...Peace.
the depth of meaning in these lyrics is just incredible. the line 'and you know you've got to go, on the train from dublin up to sandy row' is referencing a time on our island before the sectarian troubles really took hold. sandy row is a protestant stronghold in belfast, and once the IRA began their campaign in the 1960's there was really not much more traveling to Dublin by the protestant community. it's a throwaway line that is steeped in meaning and reference, a bittersweet nod to calmer more innocent times.
“Get on the train, the train…”
“Hey love, you forgot your gloves…”
Yes, such depth.
The train, the train darling
This is the train, this is the train darling
This is the train
Thank you from Montreal, Canada for this bit of history, to give this more meaning.❤ Very much appreciated. 🫶
van didn't give any creadance to that interpretation of the "sandy row" lyric, but when you hear his own "non" explanations you know he's talking crap. my original impression was that sandy row must be a prison then without knowing the real sandy row i agree with you...i thought it was about a duty to a cause.
The train from Dublin ended at Sandy Row in the 60's...the real historical reference is "throwing pennies at the bridges down below".....this would happen as the train crossed the river Boyne in Drogheda
There is a phograph of van gogh.but no sound. 100 years from now they will listen and still get great music including van morrison. Beautiful .
The love that loves to love the love that loves to love the love that loves
Sitting outside with a drink and a tear rolls down my cheek listening to this wonderful song to love the love.
Interesting comments. Remember this song was wrote and produced in 1968.
I remember as a schoolboy in 1973 buying Rory Gallagher’s Tattoo and reading a review of that album where the writer suggested Rory was coming under the influence of Van Morrison’s music, with its feel and imagery around gypsies and rural Ireland. I bought Moondance (he was right) and Astral Weeks. Two very different records and both excellent in their own ways. Astral Weeks rapidly became my favourite album and fifty years later, it remains so, though I don’t play it so much now. It was good to hear Madam George - along with Cypress Avenue one of the two best tracks on the album. I don’t think I have heard anyone else review it. For a long time end of year polls in the British music press put Astral Weeks and Dylan’s Blonde On Blonde as the great albums in modern music.
Thanks for sharing!
Totally agree with you they are both on my desert Island list...that and beatles White Album are all you really need . They are the best albums ever made !!!
My favouite song ever by any artist.. Its not that Im a crazy Van fan .. I just fell in love with this song the first time I heard it and the more I listened the more I heard.. Its so delicately crafted and multi layered .. A beautifully constructed piece, So complex yet so simple. It takes me on a journey every time and its always a pleasure trip ! The violins almost weep and never fail to move me.. A work of art. A work of genius and as detailed and well put together as any classical compositon.. The woman hasno idea and its a shame Van has to be judged by a musical pagan
It’s a shame that you can’t understand sarcasm. She was literally wiping tears from her eyes 😂😂😂😂😂 musical pagan 😂😂😂😂you must be tons of fun!
When I first heard this song many years ago when someone played me "Astral Weeks " I was blown away with the beauty dreamlike quality,I still have a copy but only on CD. Near 20 years later another band "The Waterboys " recorded their master piece " Fisherman's Blues " and do a fantastic version of "Sweet Thing " but nearly twice as long as "Vans version on "Astral Weeks " but both brilliant,play them both and see.
This entire album was improvised live.
I have listened to Van Morrison for years and this sounds like it's a really early recording. Love his stuff it's kind of a jazz blues
Yes check it out, the whole album is great. His first solo album.
If you like this you ought try the book Ulysses by James Joyce. His writting is very stream of consciousness and as a fellow Irishman I'm sure he had a big influence on Van Morrison. BTW FYI every album from Van Morrison is "the" album from Van Morrison!
Van Morrison, his name is George Ivan, Van is short for Ivan.
Have a look at Van doing this in the Hollywood Bowl concert in 2008.... very different.
There were no real arrangements. This is how it was described. No prep, no meeting", recalls Davis. "He was remote from us, 'cause he came in and went into a booth ... And that's where he stayed, isolated in a booth. I don't think he ever introduced himself to us, nor we to him ... And he seemed very shy".[18] Drummer Connie Kay later told Rolling Stone that he approached Morrison and asked "what he wanted me to play, and he said to play whatever I felt like playing. We more or less sat there and jammed.
So beautiful -- probably why it's so ALIVE AND JAZZY.
Wow, that formula made beautiful music! Thanks for the info Tom!
It certainly gives you that impression in the climax, when Van starts humming that sort of arpeggio over the melody and then the violins get on it and copy it and take it to the greatest heights. So moving.
Lou Reeds walk one the wild side set in steamy New York city story lined a life without the compassion, fragility and humanity a young Van captures emotionally and lyrically for Madam George. Violin and Voice scattering rose petals in the otherwise cynical Cypress Avenue of dealers sailor boys and undercover cops.
The one album i'm taking to that deserted island ..astral weeks.
I like the basplayer, great!!!
This album was done in three days by NY studio musicians in a fog of MJ smoke at The PowerStation (I think). I knew the guitarist Jay Berliner, he said that Van Morrison basically gave verbal instructions to the musicians and then they just jammed the song(s) until they clicked. What a magnificent result!
Absolute masterpiece please appreciate it
Astral Weeks and Veedon Fleece
I was almost thrown by Sifa's deadpan first thoughts, until she expanded the feigned dislike to the strings too. :)
As others have said, repeated playing and listening really improves the appreciation of this whole brilliant album .... it's not always a first-time lovefest.
So pleased to finally see someone reacting to this so NOT trash of a song. F'ing making me late getting out the house as I encountered this unexpectedly. "Beside You" or "Slim Slow Slider" would be my zero cents worth choices as follow-ups.
David Gray’s gorgeous song Say Hello, Wave Goodbye, off his album White Ladder, used some lyrics from Madame George in the final third of the song: “the rain, hail, sleet and snow,” “say goodbye..”
I’m pretty sure there is an Into the Mystic reference in the song too.
To top it off, said David Gray song is a cover of the original 80s Soft Cell song by the same name.
It’s all a bit meta 😂
Also, both Van and D. Gray are Irishmen
David Gray is Welsh and raised in Manchester...you're correct about the Van references though..."we we born before the wind"....
Do Sweet Thing next 🍀
Van sings it as "Madame Joy". It was later that he changed the title to Madame George. Van can't give a specific reason why he changed the title, but kept the original recording where he sand Madame Joy.
ahh such a good song funny how well it fits these days
I love this song. Well it's Van. But sometimes it makes me weepy.
I get so lost in this song it was a long while before I became aware just how simple it is. There is a direct line of inspiration from this to Jungleland by Bruce Springsteen, although the two songs are very different.
Bruce picked this as one of his desert Island discs....he said "Van Morrison taught me to trust in beauty and gave me a sense of the divine"
Get on the train....the train...train
Yep, just three chords all the way through. G,C and D.
Did you know that Madam George was a good friend of Lola's.?
Please realise that Van does not need an arranger, or lyricist or writer. Van does it all. Including getting like minded fantastiic musicians.
As great as TB sheets
The song was about George Bernard Shaw and was not meaningless words.
I saw him live once in the '90s. He was less exciting than this song is. His band was tight and as a musician I was impressed. He was a voice without "presence". There was not one moment where I thought "Wow, what a performer!" It was one of the worst performances I have ever seen. Sure, hit every note perfectly... mind-numbingly boringly perfectly.
Wow, how disheartening. Thanks for sharing Monica.
Sifa, sorry you didn't like the song. From that dreamy look on your face, I thought maybe you were somewhere else. :) It's always been amazing to me that some of Van's music can transport you into another realm. Maybe an Astral realm.
I've hated it for 50 years :)
And here you are, reacting to a song you hate.
@@1957PLATOAnd there you are (and apparently SAD too, unfortunately) missing the point that I was echoing Sifa's mock reaction 😂
@@ilikethisnamebetter you are far too intelligent for me.
Why are you putting yourself through 9 minutes of torture if you hate it ?
This sounds remarkably similar to a song called My Pal Foot Foot by a band called the Shaggs. I hate Van Morrison even more now than I did when I was young.
dreadful music
also, apparently, it's masterful to to repeat 😂
The Shaggs? 😂😂
you're even more deaf than those poor girls 🤦
Ah, the day of the Shaggs will come. Just a matter of time.
Van's voice is an instrument on it's own
Hey guys, another great reaction, thanks!
Thanks so much Paul, it was a great listen!