Van Morrison - 1970 - Moondance

The yang to Astral Weeks' yin, the brilliant Moondance is every bit as much a classic as its predecessor; Van Morrison's first commercially successful solo effort, it retains the previous album's deeply spiritual thrust but transcends its bleak, cathartic intensity to instead explore themes of renewal and redemption. Light, soulful, and jazzy, Moondance opens with the sweetly nostalgic "And It Stoned Me," the song's pastoral imagery establishing the dominant lyrical motif recurring throughout the album -- virtually every track exults in natural wonder, whether it's the nocturnal magic celebrated by the title cut or the unlimited promise offered in "Brand New Day." At the heart of the record is "Caravan," an incantatory ode to the power of radio; equally stirring is the majestic "Into the Mystic," a song of such elemental beauty and grace as to stand as arguably the quintessential Morrison moment.

1 And It Stoned Me Morrison 4:30
2 Moondance Morrison 4:35
3 Crazy Love Morrison 2:34
4 Caravan Morrison 4:57
5 Into the Mystic Morrison 3:25
6 Come Running Morrison 2:30
7 These Dreams of You Morrison 3:50
8 Brand New Day Morrison 5:09
9 Everyone Morrison 3:31
10 Glad Tidings Morrison 3:13

¡Aquí!

Van Morrison - 1974 - It's Too Late To Stop Now (2CD)

While Van Morrison is, to be kind, an erratic and temperamental live performer, he's in stellar form throughout the double album It's Too Late to Stop Now, a superb concert set that neatly summarizes his career from his days with Them (represented by scorching renditions of "Gloria" and "Here Comes the Night") through 1973's Hard Nose the Highway ("Warm Love," "Wild Children"). In addition to the hits, including "Caravan," "Domino," and "Into the Mystic" (the final line of which gives the album its title), Morrison even pulls out a handful of R&B chestnuts ("Bring It on Home to Me," "Ain't Nothin' You Can Do") before capping off the collection with a show-stopping rendition of Astral Weeks' "Cyprus Avenue." An engaging, warm portrait of the man at the peak of his powers.

		1		Ain't Nothin' You Can Do	Malone, Scott	3:44
		2		Warm Love	Morrison	3:04
		3		Into the Mystic	Morrison	4:33
		4		These Dreams of You	Morrison	3:37
		5		I Believe to My Soul	Charles	4:09
		6		I've Been Working	Morrison	3:56
		7		Help Me	Dixon, Williamson	3:25
		8		Wild Children	Morrison	5:04
		9		Domino	Morrison	4:48
		10		I Just Want to Make Love to You	Dixon	5:16
		11		Bring It on Home to Me	Cooke	4:42
		12		Saint Dominic's Preview	Morrison	6:18
		13		Take Your Hands Out of My Pocket	Williamson	4:04
		14		Listen to the Lion	Morrison	8:43
		15		Here Comes the Night	Berns	3:14
		16		Gloria	Morrison	4:16
		17		Caravan	Morrison	9:20
		18		Cyprus Avenue	Morrison	10:20

¡Aquí!