No one who likes Van Morrison could be a bad person. Should world peace ever come about, it will be down to the universal recognition that everyone grew up listening to him.
Over 47 years ago, Morrison recorded the eight tracks that make up both sides of Astral Weeks. Initial poor sales did nothing to stop the album becoming a critical favourite, and Warner have now released an expanded and remastered version. Featuring a total of 12 tracks, this release contains a couple of early takes and a couple of longer versions of select cuts from the original album.
Beside You, Madame George, Ballerina, and Slim Slow Slider are the chosen tracks. As sublime as they are to hear, noticeably excluded from the expanded treatment is Sweet Thing, a sentimental favourite due to it being the only track on Astral Weeks with overtly romantic lyrics.
Nearly 50 years on, each listen of Sweet Thing still acutely awakens the senses. Upon hearing the opening acoustic riff you are somehow born anew, ready to love again or inspired to continue loving. Such is the impact of Morrison’s lyrics, and a perfect summary of the song’s mysterious power lies in the line, “It’s me, I’m dynamite and I don’t know why.”
Madame George is the standout of the bonus tracks. Stripped-back instead of expanded, Morrison’s measured delivery is as smooth as following the horizon on a long car ride. The first take of Beside You also features, and audio of session musicians directing Morrison is also included in the track. A superfluous decision to some, but a welcome time warp for those Morrison fans already inclined to lose themselves in his work.
BY HANNAH JOYNER
