Hardly a hit when it was released in 1968, Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks is considered a classic in the world of popular music and a shining light in a rather shining career of the Irish singer. Forty years after its release, Morrison decided to play the album in its entirety in a series of concerts, two performances of which were at the Hollywood Bowl. These shows were recorded and have been released as Astral Weeks Live At The Hollywood Bowl.
With no tweaking or overdubs, you get to hear these performances pretty much as they happened. Opening with a heavy acoustic guitar flourishes from original Astral Weeks guitarist Jay Berliner; we’re into a bubbling “I Believe I’ve Transcended” with Morrison’s voice sounding as good as it did 40 years ago. “Besides You” is next, with the singer really showing off his pipes and again Berliner playing off the vocals with his quick flourishes. Richie Buckley’s flute work is smooth and subtle, floating behind Morrison and Berliner perfectly. By the time we arrive at “Slim Slow Slide/I Start Breaking Down,” the band is in full stride, stretching the arrangement for all it’s worth.
“Sweet Thing” is basically a showcase for Van’s unique mumble and harmonica playing, which gives him the perfect opportunity to do more mumbling and moaning. “The Way Young Lovers Do” grooves along nicely, with some lilting strings ably supported by Bobby Ruggiero’s drumming and Paul Moran’s trumpet. Things get masterfully rich on “Cyprus Avenue/You Came Walking Down,” where Morrison and the band mesh, finding that space in sound where they become one.
“Ballerina,” at over nine minutes, is about as good as gets. This is where Morrison seems to be having a good time, growling the lyrics and pushing the band. The singer was recently asked about these performances and he replied: “The Hollywood Bowl concerts gave me a welcome opportunity to perform these songs the way I originally intended them to be…I had always wanted to play the record live and fully orchestrated — that is what this is all about.” On “Ballerina,” he invites the opportunity, taking all the best elements of the original recording and expanding them fully. If you ever had any doubt as to why Van Morrison is The Man, listen to this track.
“Madame George” is basically supported by Morrison’s odd rhythm guitar playing and scatting, winding down the Astral Weeks portion of the show. “Listen To The Lion/The Lion Speaks,” most of which is from 1972’s Saint Dominic’s Preview, has the singer out in front of a full orchestra, while “Common One” is pure fun and a great ending. It’s can be dangerous to revisit one’s past, so much more so if that past features something as phenomenal as Astral Weeks. But Van Morrison has pulled off what might be the most amazing live recording of his career — Astral Weeks Live At The Hollywood
Bowl is definitely one for the books.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
