admitedly, i'd been drinking heavily the other night when i went on a van bender, but an arguement could be made for "Tupelo Honey" as the greatest song of the rock era....it's got everything, fantastic arrangement, great lyrics ("you can't stop us, on the road to freedom. you can't stop us, 'cause our eyes can see. men with insight, men of granite.. knights in armor, intent on chivalry."), and the impassioned blue-eyed soul singing of van the man. not sure you can beat it...
OMFG!!! Basso and I almost completely agree on something. Another Van Morrison thing you can't beat is "A Night in san Francisco", possibly the best live double CD/Album of all time. It's just like honey Baby.
for some reason that line always puts me in mind of the ohio players another van fave is the laternate version of "wonderful remark" from the philosopher's stone. not quite tupelo honey level, but pretty damned close.
I've never understood the whole Van Morisson thing - with a disclaimer still as plcmnts seems good with it. I noticed Astral Weeks (sp?), his supposed masterpiece was at my local library. I'm gonna pick it up tomorrow and try again with an open mind. BTW, a few cd's I have gotten at the library of late I would not have otherwise bought. Ram - Paul McCartney. I had this on vinyl as a teen and remembered it fondly - It stands up amazingly well. The songs, especialy Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey and Dear Boy are pretty much way cool. The guitar work (whoever it is, not much in the way of credits) is top notch - especialy on Too Many People. Larks Tongue and Aspic - King Krimson. Another vinyl I lost and never replaced. Not quite as good as I remembered. I really need to buy the updated version of USA I think, or Starless and Bible Black. 1st two LP's - Big Star - Can't belive the library had this. My copy is in storage in bum**** BCS till I can get back there. 5 STARS ++++++ Desolation Boulevard - The Sweet - Man, I never could have brought myself to rebuy this, so a free library trip down memory lane was perfect. Almost ashamed I love the crotch/glam rock still - maybe more than ever.
Van Morrison, basso? Geez, you have been drinking, haven't you? This may surprise many but I actually think that the greatest rock song I have ever heard is "Achilles' Last Stand" by Zeppelin and NOT a song by Pink Floyd. Bonzo and Page are absolute monsters on that song; it is too bad that Plant's voice is unintelligible.
forgot to mention "Into the Mystic" too- heard a great live version by the allman brothers on the radion the other day- not sure what disc it's from, or if it's even commercially available.
Van is kinda like Dylan with Soul. They both tend to go overboard with lyrics, so if that's your thing you will not be disappointed. I wouldn't consider Astral Weeks his "masterpiece", but definitely top 5. I know two people who can't stand his music with the exception of several songs which they really like ( my friend likes - Here comes the night and my Girlfriend who can't stand his voice likes - Have I told you lately & Into the Mystic, she just wishes someone else would sing them.)
