"Moondance" (Expanded Edition)

Original released on LP Warner Bros K 46040

(UK 1970, February 28)

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. (Jason Ankeny in AllMusic)

"Moondance" is the third record in this soon-to-be master's repertoire, and for the very first time, Van Morrison has made a record that can really and appropriately be kicked back to. I don't really have a direction or a main point to drive home in this review other than that "Moondance" lets my thoughts relax and stop swirling like the obnoxious whirlpool they can make themselves seem to be. I think about how Van Morrison makes me feel so suave and cool, and how I'd never have been able to say, "Whoa, really? I love that song." in reply to the pretty girl's admittance of loving such a song. Another one of many regrets from my high school days/daze, but it's not really a problem. It's that intrigue that propelled me into knowing beyond more than just this man's sophomoric opus. I like to imagine that I'll call upon Van Morrison at some future period, when my confidence has developed into a substantial little narcissistic bubble and I've got a woman in the same room as my stereo setup. I wonder if I would be laughed at if I put on "Moondance", or if she would swoon and love me for such a perfectly complementary choice for the festivities of the night. Hell if I know what will happen if I pull that, but... man, this album makes me feel good. Ahead of its time, bringing out feelings that are definitely ahead of mine. (in RateYourMusic)