Forty Years of "Moondance"

[Christopher Sjoholm]

Forty years on this album never tires for me. It is the template for every other record Van Morrison put out, subsequently. It contains all his themes of love, romance, mysticism, and celtic lore all wrapped in arrangements that are propelled by a jazzy piano and some of the 'warmest' vocals you will ever hear. That side 1 is a 'perfect' album side like side 2 of "Revolver" or side one of "Let It Bleed" is a given but there are some great songs on side 2, as well, "Come Running", "Brand New Day" and "These Dreams of You" for instance. It is just that I cannot help thinking how many children were conceived while side 1 stayed on a continous loop- it is that perfect. I have always also liked the fact that the album is not polluted by one of his later rants concerning the nasty record business and how they stole his money.

I was a young fifteen year old whose loins were fired up by this record. I am now a near 55 year old and it still has that effect for me. That he lived up the road a ways still amazes me. I put this album on and I am constantly returned to my youth. It is always fresh and refreshing. I still count myself blessed that I got to see him live at that time in 1973 before he was worn down and turned into a jaded curmudgeon. "Crazy Love" has always been a special song for me and my wife. Many artists would call it a career with the songs on this album. It was near the beginning for Van.

[johnfoyle]

Thanks for the reminder - I'll be digging out the vinyl edition of this for a spin this weekend.

[pophead2k]

I used to cover 'Crazy Love' in a band I was in and it never failed to pack the floor with slow dancers. Timeless.