If there's anyone out there who agrees with the assertion that Astral Weeks is some kind of masterpiece, I'd love to know why you think that way.
I would say that Astral Weeks is a masterpiece. It was recorded in a period of two or three days, and much of it was very "of the moment", very fresh and somewhat raw sounding, in a good way...the first two songs, Astral Weeks, and Beside You, are probably two of my favorite Van songs of all time. It has very much a stream of conciousness feel to it...I feel that is very unique unto itself, and it really hits his style and manner of singing, right on the nose. Ballerina, is another outstanding song that I often cover in performances...I love singing his material because you can express so much passion just in the singing...they are just so much fun to sing. Perhaps it is more the sound of the album as a whole than every individual song that makes it such a wonderful album...you really have to lose yourself in time and space and just listen to it all the way through. Victor
