Van Morrison – Moondance

Hmm, I don't see the recent 2023 3lp deluxe pressing of this album on Discogs yet- somebody please add it so we can get some reviews!

“On this W7 pressing (and all first pressings, whether W7 or WB logo) is featured a mix of 'Into The Mystic' in which Van Morrison can be heard playing tambourine.”

_____

I must add that the tambourine mix is not limited to “first pressings”, which I take to mean specifically the 1970 release. I have the following 1976 release with palm tree labels and “-1A” matrix on Side 1 which matches the original 1970 release. Into The Mystic on my 1976 copy indeed plays the tambourine mix. So my cp. of the 1976 release is a rare(?) repress of Side 1 of the 1970 release.

Here: https://www.discogs.com/release/5332160-Van-Morrison-Moondance

Cps. of the 1976 are cheap. Just ask the seller to confirm that Side 1 matrices show “-1A”.

On “Moondance,” Van Morrison finally does something that few artists have been able to achieve, and that is to step out from behind their influences. Certainly The Beatles achieved this on “Rubber Soul,” as did Dylan when he went electric. But it’s more than stepping out from behind those influences, it’s becoming comfortable with one’s songs, one’s lyrics, one’s presentation, and above all, with one’s band.

“Moondance” shows Morrison at the top of his game, his spirit steps forward, and this in turn allows the man to create a visionary atmosphere and consciousness that belongs to him and him alone, where his magical lyrics and melodies weave and interlock with a majestic stance that had me thinking from the first listen, that “Moondance” was nothing like I’d expected.

“Moondance” is a step outside of the 60’s, breathing fresh air, mixing rock with blues, swing, and R&B to create what I can only refer to as “exhilaration,” where a defining moment of purity is recognized, and all ambiguity takes flight through the nearest open window. “Moondance” is filled with confidence and invention, with songs like “Caravan” and “Into The Mystic” becoming instant epic masterpieces that will/and have, defined songwriting for all time.

Review by Jenell Kesler