Van Morrison Album by Album

i've searched and unless i've missed it there hasn't been an album by album thread for Van Morrison. Van the man has released 39 albums (and 6 live albums)...enough interest out there?

 

Good idea, there is certainly enough material to sustain a decent thread. I'm in.

 

Van Morrison Album by Album Discussion: Part 1 (1968-1977)

Van Morrison Album by Album Discussion: Part 2 (Wavelength 1978 - Enlightenment 1990

Van Morrison Album by Album Discussion: Part Three (Hymns To The Silence 1991 - Magic Time 2005)

 

Would love to be involved if anyone wanted to go through. It’s been a while ...

 

I wouldn’t mind , currently listening to Poetic Champions Compose

 

Since those threads I became a Van fan.

 

Those were ten years ago ... we have a lot of new members ... your call

 

Let’s do it!

 

*Sigh* I have many fond memories of those threads, @Craig.

 

Read thru the part 3 thread today , inspired a bit of revisiting too long in exile

 

Still the only Van record that doesn’t hit the spot for me.

 

Every time I see an old thread is "locked," it's like finding out an album is OOP

 

The one reason I've never seen Van Morrison live - besides not knowing if it's Grumpy Van or Van The Man who's playing the date - is because I can't imagine the show living up to the high bar set by It's Too Late To Stop Now. Great band, terrific setlist, and most of the songs are better than the original studio versions - the live take on "Warm Love" is simply sublime...

And Van? Top of his game.

 

Caught Van twice last year. Wonderful both times. He’s been even better this year. Terrific band. Take the chance

 

ok what the hell we'll give it a go! breaking from the old thread starting with Blowing Your Mind.




Side One
No. Title Length
1. "Brown Eyed Girl" 3:03
2. "He Ain't Give You None" 5:13
3. "T.B. Sheets" 9:44
Side Two
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Spanish Rose" 3:06
2. "Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)" Wes Farrell, Bert Russell 2:57
3. "Ro Ro Rosey" 3:03
4. "Who Drove the Red Sports Car?" 5:35
5. "Midnight Special" Traditional 2:51
1994 CD reissue bonus tracks (alternate takes)
No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Spanish Rose" 3:38
2. "Ro Ro Rosey" 3:09
3. "Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)" Farrell, Russell 2:39
4. "Who Drove the Red Sports Car?" 3:49
5. "Midnight Special" Traditional 2:46


Much maligned (especially by Van) and has kind of goofy artwork.....still. Brown Eyed Girl was a radio staple for a reason and no album with TB Sheets is all bad. (and a lot of side two is worthy as well) thoughts?

 

Track listing[edit]
All songs by Van Morrison except as noted.

1. "Brown Eyed Girl" – 3:03
2. "Spanish Rose" (alternate version) – 3:52
3. "Goodbye Baby (Baby Goodbye)" (Wes Farrell, Bert Russell) – 2:57
4. "Ro Ro Rosey" – 3:03
5. "Chick-A-Boom" (Bert Berns, Morrison) – 3:12
6. "It's All Right" – 4:58
7. "Send Your Mind" – 2:52
8. "The Smile You Smile" – 2:54
9. "The Back Room" – 5:30
10. "Midnight Special" (traditional) – 2:45
11. "T.B. Sheets" – 9:36
12. "He Ain't Give You None" (alternate version) – 5:50
13. "Who Drove the Red Sports Car?" – 5:39
14. "Beside You" – 6:05
15. "Joe Harper Saturday Morning" (alternate version) – 4:15
16. "Madame George" – 5:17
17. "Brown Eyed Girl" (alternate take) – 3:40
18. "I Love You (The Smile You Smile)" – 2:22

Bang Masters is probably the go-to release for the Bang material (imo). the early versions of Madame George and Beside You are fascinating plus Beside You. I think put together like this its a great album

 

Not a record I dig out and listen to. The version of Beside You is interesting but this is an album which for me is really only the sound of a great artist limbering up.

 

I'll declare my undying love for the Bang recordings. It think it's some of the best work Van ever did. He's young, hungry, angry, passionate.
And I find the Bang version of Beside You magical, must more captivating than the Astral Weeks version.
Classics/keepers: Beside You, BE Girl, Who Drove The Red Sports Car, He Ain't Give You None, Joe Harper Saturday Morning, Send Your Mind, The Smile You Smile, TB Sheets
Fillers but still good: Spanish Rose, The Back Room, It's Alright, Midnight Special, Chick-A-Boom, Goodbye Baby, Ro Ro Rosey

Van obviously has a lot of affinity for these recordings to, but he was disappointed with the first album (and the endless cash-in comps) because the intended format was 4 singles and he recorded some songs he regarded as b-side quality - the album is half a-sides and half b-sides (roughly according to my division above).

 

that sounds about right, id put it's all right in the keeper category. great unhinged delivery and gospel feel

 

As always you cannot fault the delivery. I think these songs sound of their time to my ears whereas the greatest of Van’s achievements seem timeless. This perception is probably born of the non chronological nature of my introduction to his music.

 

Looking forward to this thread. I only recently got deeper into his catalog (beyond Astral Weeks and Moondance) and have been blown away by Veedon Fleece, and most of St. Dominic's Preview and Common One, but there's a lot left for me to learn about.

 

You guys are gonna inspire me to spend more money, thanks , all ten years or however later after those 3 threads initially finished up in process.
Gee, thanks . I have to get the most recent 3cd Bang release for the original mixes etc. and also want to get that 3 CD Them 1964-67 set. This thread is a reminder to me to do that

 

Bang Masters is what I have. It's enjoyable, though I admit I don't listen to it too often.
I remember being knocked out by Madame George. And Beside You was great. And the same goes for Who Drove the Red Sports Car to be honest...
It looks like I need to spend more time with it this weekend thanks to this thread.