By Kirby Ferguson Astral Weeks was best summed up by Lester Bangs; ’’It sounded like the man who made Astral Weeks was in terrible pain...; but like the later al- bums by the Velvet Underground, there was a redemp- tive element in the blackness, ultimate compassion for the suffering of others and a swath of pure beauty that cut right through the heart of the work.’ Man, that’s perfect. Astral Weeks gives pain and loneliness the dignity and beauty it seldom seems to getinreal life. Sting once said he does his best work when in terrible pain (somebody better put him on the rack then) and the same definitely applies to Van Morrison, just listen to Tupelo Honey, recorded during his mar- riage, and then St. Dominic's Pre- view, which was after his divorce. In reference to Van's earlier work, his ex-wife, Janet Planet (How could he marry someone with that name?) states in the liner notes of His Band and the Street Choir; ’’He was sickeningly alone, afraid and ranting to be neither. ’’ Yeah, so? Who wants to hear some guy blow-off abouthow fucking happy he is? Artis not for happy people (wooo, nice quote). When I first heard Astral Weeks I thought it was sloppy, self-indulgent, long-winded and unrealized. Now it’s perfection, and a fixture in my car Stereo. So what does this marvellous creation sound like? Well, there isn’t one electric guitar on the entire album. No synthesizers. No other singers. Generally, there aren't even any drums. There's some horns, some flute, some improvised bass playing and lots of strings, acoustic guitars and unbelievable singing.

Think of ‘‘Feels So Different’’ from Sinead's last one,

especially when she sings ‘‘The whole time/I’d never

UPEI X-P RESS

the (qrealest Album of Al] “ime

VAN MORRISON ASTRAL WEEKS

ig ae: ae

November 14, 1991

seen...'’, and you ve got the general idea. Four of th 2 eight songs clock in at around seven minutes. Sounds pretty weird, eh? It probably will seem that way to © most. Like I’ve said before, Moondance is the one to © start with, then try this one. 4 Van’s voice is what elevates the album to transcend- ence; his singing gives the lyrics meaning beyond words, he’s never overwrought, never repeats himself and the music perfectly compliments it. It’s the most" soulful vocal performance ever waxed. | The lyrics are often impenetrable, but the imagery ig | always beautiful, and the way he sings it he leaves no doubt thathe means every syllable. Actually, the most beautifur lyric on the album is also’ the most simple (‘Sweet Thing’’). Amongst the more obscure references @ glimpses of aging ballen nas, drag queensand beautiful Jourteen-ye@ olds (yes, fourteen). This all may sound pretty. tasteless but believe me, it’s quite the opposite. Th soundtrack} the love-sick, lonely slob. Not thatI'd know, it's jus thatI have a very highly developed sense ofempate . Yeah, that’s the ticket. | Iam this album, this album is me. Astral Weeks is i close to a religious experience as I've ever gotten, and I strongly recommend it. If you ‘ve gotten this fi through my ranting you must have some idea of whe I'm talking about, so go outand buy this. [haven't seen the album around here, but you can getit through Columbia House so subscribe, it’s wortht just for this album. ACTUALLY, (here comes the _ |

Page

5 2 SY