Van Morrison Astral Weeks: AS 40 Series

Van Morrison's Astral Weeks Reissued for the AS 40 Series on 180g 45RPM 2LP: Mastered by Matthew Lutthans at the Mastering Lab and Pressed at QRP

As Rolling Stone puts it, "Van Morrison's second album is quite unlike his first. For a start, there's nothing on it like 'Brown Eyed Girl,' and that's what the world was expecting."

The founder of Bang Records, the label he was signed to, had unexpectedly died. His widow blamed Morrison as the two had been arguing over the direction of his new music. Bert Berns wanted Morrison to head to a more pop orientated sound, but Morrison wanted to explore new terrain. Following the death, Morrison was blocked from recording. Warner Brothers, who subsequently signed Morrison helped him out of that deal. And Morrison set to work on recording a folk rock masterpiece, a stream of consciousness record with music a mix between folk, blues, jazz and even classical music.

Astral Weeks is more than an album - it's an experience. Van Morrison's 1968 masterpiece defies genre, while rewarding listeners with new emotional and musical discoveries. It's a fusion of folk, jazz improvisation, and ethereal soul that transports the listener to another realm. Often regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time, Astral Weeks doesn't fit neatly into any category. It's Morrison's most emotional vocal performance - his voice soars, whispers, and wails, delivering poetic lyrics with an intensity that feels deeply personal yet universally resonant.

With upright bass, flute, vibraphone, and acoustic guitar weaving hypnotic textures, the album's organic, free-flowing arrangements create an unparalleled sense of atmosphere. Morrison's stream-of-consciousness lyrics paint vivid, mystical portraits of youth, love, nostalgia, and longing. Tracks such as "Madame George" and "Cyprus Avenue" are cinematic in their storytelling.

Van Morrison fans will immediately recognize Astral Weeks as his most adventurous and soul-baring work. It's not just music - it's a meditative, dreamlike journey that lingers long after the final note fades.

Lacquers cut by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab at 45RPM (mastered from a flat 24/192 digital transfer of the original master tape, EQ'd through The Mastering Lab's analog all-tube system). Pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings, and housed in a tip-on old style gatefold double pocket jacket by Stoughton Printing.