I like Van, and this is a pretty good CD,I guess. I just find that I'm not that motivated to listen to it very often. Moondance has been played to death and the rest of the songs are just okay to me. Actually, most of Van's stuff is just okay. This CD's best songs are at the beginning, the songs diminish in quality as the CD progresses. As usual, the lyrics are never beyond servicable. Van has a tendency to write rhymes instead of interesting lyrics. "These dreams of you. So real and so true", "Everyone, everyone, everyone ,everyone", "And it stoned me to my soul, stoned me just like going home". Not very inspiring, or interesting. It's a nice Sunday morning CD, I suppose, but not as good as Astral Weeks--another CD with its share of bad lyrics. "As I venture in the slipstream between the viaducts of your dream." Pretentious and sometimes, unintentionally funny. You're better off downloading individual songs form Van's catalog. His CDs are just too spotty.

I wish Warners/Reprise/Elektra/Asylum/Atlantic/Time-Warner/RHINO,Polygram,WHOEVER! would get "Moondance","Astral Weeks" and "Band and Street Choir" remastered and RELEASE THEM!!! For some of us, these were the albums that are truely "Unforgetable".

Van Morrison-Moondance ****1/2


Moondance is the album that broke Van Morrison in to the mainstream as a major solo artist. While Astral Weeks is clearly his strongest album, as well as his most criticly acclaimed album, and still to this day concidered to be one of the top albums of all time, it is Moondance that really broke him through to the rest of the world. Of course he always had the success of Them, and 'Gloria' which went on to be just a classic, and 'Brown Eyed Girl' may have been his first hit single, many did not relealize that was Morrison on his own.

'And It Stoned Me' the fantastic title track 'Moondance' along side 'Crazy Love' and 'Caravan' were the first four songs to lead off the album and all four went on to be hit singles for Morrison making him a major pop star. His soul-ful vocals and heartfelt lyrics can be heard through out the entire album on songs like the cleaver title track, and 'Brand New Day' but maybe most importantly on the albums strongest track, the chilling 'Into The Mystic' which aside from 'Sweet Thing' off Astral Weeks may be Van Morrisons Best song ever. "We were born before the wind, but so younger then the son," how can you even compare another lyric to that genius?

Moondance solidified Van Morrison as not only a brilliant Irish poet, but a major musical attraction. Along with his first album Astral Weeks, these two albums help so growth in Van Morrison as well as depth, in that there was much more to him then garage rock, even though he may have written the greatest garage rock song of all time in 'Gloria.' Moondance is a special album that you can play during any mood, and one that is reccomended to all along side Astral Weeks.

This CD is currently available used for less than two bucks. If you don't have it and don't buy it for two lousy bucks, you are a fool. It is the best album from the most gifted singer songwriter of his or any era. If you don't like it, you don't like music.

Van Morrison's Moondance (1970) is quite simply, a classic. The songs, the sound, the lyrics. All classic. The album jumps right out of the gates with And It Stoned Me, Moondance, Crazy Love, Caravan, and Into The Mystic. These five songs are all rock classics by any standard. Come Running and These Dreams Of You are not quite on the same level, but still excellant songs and very enjoyable. The underrated and gospel-influenced Brand New Day probably should be a classic, too, as it is very good, and the heartfelt inspirational performance really hits home. The musical arrangements of the songs are a balanced blend of a very well played acoustic guitar, a humble horn section, and Van's soulful, laid-back vocals. The theme and sound are uncomplicated, poetic, and autumnal. In Moondance, Van sings:

A fantabulous night to make romance,
Neath the cover of October skies.
And all the leaves on the trees are falling,
To the sound of the breezes that blow.

Van Morrison...Moondance...TERRIFIC...large jazz ensemble based music...simple, fun, and descriptive lyrics...what a joy to have this album once again...future generations will enjoy this one!

I am excited just thinking about this album. This is one of the top 100 albums of all time, period! Okay some people might disagree with me on that, but what most agree with is that Moondance itself is a work of art. Blends of Jazz, Folk and Easy listening with enough tinges of Americana to rival anything by Springsteen or Mellencamp. Oh, did I forget to mention there are some blues to this as well? Again, a work of art and I think Moondance and Into the mystic are a couple of my favorites, but it is hard to choose when again, the entire album is simply amazing. Despite being released over three decades ago, it still chimes with a radiance that words cannot describe.

The Moondance album is somewhat prolific to me when looking at all of Van Morrison's studio releases, perhaps because I do not think he put out an album after this one that could even come close to matching it. A one of a kind find that I will always treasure.

She looked at me with those dark, mysterious eyes of hers and asked me to put on my favorite music. It didn't take but a moment for me to slip in MOONDANCE and so the night only got better from there. Smooth, mellow, rocking, with more soul then a Southern Baptist Church on a Sunday afternoon. No fillers here. Every song with a legacy of it's own. If music is the food of the gods then this one is a gift from the gods. Give it a listen and feel the rapture.

This album came after "Astral week" I find "Moondance" every bit as good, in fact more enjoyable to listen to. It has a timeless quality about it, and it really dos not sound like it's 37 years old. Overall it has a good fel to it. The first song,"And it Stoned Me",reminds me a lot of the band, and the brass, which is used throughout. The album has a very soulful vibe. On a couple of the songs there's even a gospel flaver ("come running" and 'crazy love"). When he sings"iI want to rock your gypsy soul" in "into the mystic", he makes it sound like tere is nothing mor important in the world. The best moment on the whole album is"Turn it up? Turn it up? Turn it up? a little bit higher" in caravan.
If people listen to the album a few times, the songs will stay with them forever.

Every cut on this album is a polished gem; there are no fillers. "Stoned Me" starts the journey; "Moondance" still retains its sparkle (especially for Libras in October); "Into the Mystic" still haunts.

My personal favourite, "Brand New Day" still inspires me like a reverant hymn. Join Mr. Morrison for a quiet journey that soothes the senses.

"and it stoned me," and "into the mystic" are two of the greatest songs of the early 70's in my heart. and the entire album is almost equally as fantastic. after "astral weeks" and "veedon fleece" this is my third favorite van morrison album. music full of emotion, joy and spirit, this should not be missed out on by any audiofile.

"Moondance" may have been the first CD I ever bought when that format was introduced in the late '80s (or perhaps it was Sgt. Pepper). I heard the CD played, in all places, on the local public radio station. I was familiar with the title song from the movie "American Werewolf in London" (where it aptly backs up a steamy shower scene). I was ready for Van beyond "Brown Eyed Girl" (still a Karaoke favorite), so I bought "Moondance" (and several Van CD's thereafter).

Almost 20 years later, "Moondance" is still a CD that I enjoy from front to back. If you've got about 45 minutes to go on a long car trip, just pop it in and the time will float by, starting with the first note, as Van sings "Half a mile from the county fair..." from "Then It Stoned Me". The jazzy title track comes next; then "Crazy Love" with Van and his backup singers cooing back and forth. Saxophones accompanying a visit with gypsies in "Caravans". "Into the Mystic", another song of the water, has a feel in keeping with its title. "Come Running" is another love song, ala "Crazy Love", but from the other lover's perspective. "These Dreams of You" leads seamlessly into "Brand New Day"--it always feels like one when I hear Van sing this song. "Everyone" and "Glad Tidings" close the joyful musical celebration.

For the most part, I'm a lyrics guy. Van's lyrics are often enigmatic and a little challenging, but moreso they come straight from his heart, where the real attractiveness of his music lies--stirring melodies and soulful singing.

"Moondance" gets my highest possible musical recommendation--after almost 40 years it still ranks as one of my top 10 favorite CDs.

Van Morrison's Moondance is a great, soulful record from one of the best of the late 60's and early 70's. Featuring his finest collection of songs, the album has a little bit for everyone. Romantic songs like "Moondance" and "Crazy Love" as well as energy-filled tunes like "Caravan" and just great songs like "And it stoned me" help to make this one of the finest collection of songs ever assembled.

A very relaxing album from Van, with plenty of great songs. Example? Try the opening one-two punch of And It Stoned Me and the title track, two of Van's most popular songs. But wait! Don't go away yet. There's also Caravan, a song that SHOULD be a classic but isn't quite, as well as Crazy Love and Into the Mystic, two songs I like but not as much as the first two and Caravan. It really is a shame about side two, since one song rises above the average level: Brand New Day, with a joyful chorus.
Oh well. Even if you have the best-of, it's still worth it for Caravan, Crazy Love and Into the Mystic.

This is early Van Morrison and Great Blues from a Well Traveled Artist. I recommend you add this to your collection if your a Real Blues collector.

Let's cut to the chase. This is THE best Van Morrison album ever, IMHO. Several songs have received airplay and are reasonably well known (And It Stoned Me, Moondance). There are a bunch on here that are just as good. Crazy Love and Caravan are both immediately catchy. One of my favorites is Come Running, which I can listen to over and over and not get tired of. Probably the best song, one that sort of defines the whole mystical nature of the album, is "Into the Mystic"; just a great song. If you are wanting to buy one album of Van Morrison music that isn't just a greatest hits compilation, make it this on. You'll be glad you did.

I happened to hear the song Into the Mystic and ordered the CD just for that one song. What a pleasant surprise to have this gem of a CD. Every song is so wonderful and moving. I am adrift on the sea of Van Morrison's lovely, unique voice.

My wife says I don't like anything that's new and modern. That's not true. What is true, for me, is that a lot of the "new" and "modern" stuff that's out there just doesn't move me in any kind of way. Maybe I'm being a tad judgmental, but it seems like more and more artists are being more persuaded by the almighty dollar rather than true expression of the soul. I'm not against making money. Money is good. Money is beautiful. But money should never ever drive the human spirit.

We now turn our attention to this classic album. In this collection of songs you will soon realize that Morrison sings from those places in the soul that are hardly ever visited. Those deep recesses where imagination, creativity, joy, and passion all intermingle and act as one. This is where all "True Magic" is born. This is the "lowly manger" where the bringer of Light is born. People have a tough time visiting this place in the soul because it is so boundless, so intimidating, and yet so ultimately freeing and the only thing that can provide feelings of true success and true fulfillment and no matter how much cash you may be willing to dole out, it cannot be bought because it is absolutely priceless.

Van "the man" Morrison is creating magic in this CD. He is singing to a lover that has no form; a lover that embraces all of creation without hesitation, a lover that is generous and kind and fills every place, every space with an abundant grace that gives mere mortals an opportunity to be divine.

This album is Divine in every way and yet it is not to be worshipped. Once something becomes worshipped, the magic disintegrates and loses its original power to awaken and inspire. This collection of songs has never failed to inspire me. It has always given me Light, Life, and Love. Freely and easily. I am grateful that somehow I was lead and directed to this recording. I often wonder if I was guided to it or was it guided to me? I guess it doesn't matter because we found each other.

I have a time capsule of sorts and in it are a few photos, some memorable letters, a couple of books, and a few CDs and if I should ever grow old and senile with a few marbles rolling around upstairs, my wife is instructed to pull out the time capsule and remind me of the things I once found to be pieces of Heaven. This CD is in that capsule and it is very debateable if whether or not this is a piece of Heaven or Heaven Itself.

It truly is a beautiful thing...

I agree with one of the previous reviewers. i cant beleive that there isnt a remastererd version of this album. i have had this cd for years but just wanted a new one cause the one i have has gotten really beat up over the years. such an amazing album cant believe there is no remastererd edition.

Van Morrison's not my favorite musician, but he's still a great singer/songwriter. His voice tends to verge on being unlikable, but he somehow manages to keep it pleasant and enjoyable in every song. Every song here is great, and there are even a couple classics to be found (for example "Moondance" and "And It Stoned Me"). The lyrics are essentially half of what makes this classic - they're always fun, catchy and memorable (and occasionally quotable). Most people will love listening to what he's saying, though it's not a requirement to enjoy the album as the music itself is also great. It's a pretty mellow album that would make great background music, and the instrumentation is distinctly classic rock and very well done - this is just a fantastic group of musicians. Even though Morrison's vocals might turn a couple people off, the pros far outweigh any cons here. Most people will love this album, although you might have to get used to the dated style (considering none of the bands around today sound ANYTHING like this). Highly recommended!

Highlights include:
the entire album!

First off, I must say the album and the music itself is both a masterpiece in terms of art AND a great accessible pop gem for casual fans. In fact, Moondance probably gains much of it's sales due to the fact that it contains songs that were popular and/or reached the charts at one point or another (Crazy Love, Caravan, Into the Mystic, Come Running) that were surprisingly not included on "The Best of Van Morrison" compilation. Well, even though they are shocking omissions to that collection, I believe it is for the better as it draws more casual fans to purchase an original configuration studio album.

But, what bothers me is the poor nature of the CD release. While Van's Bang Material and all the albums from Tupelo Honey to Poetic Champions Compose get the benefit of a remasters (Into the Music, Common One, Beautiful Vision and Inarticulate Speech of the Heart still have yet to see remastering in the US, but you can purchase them imported to get releases of those albums that are consistent to the surrounding remastered titles), Morrison's three early and most popular classics (Astral Weeks, Moondance and His Band and the Street Choir) are left in the dust on muddy sounding and poorly packaged `80s CDs.

Perhaps it's not really a terrible sound and is passable, but when listened to before or after one of Morrison's albums that was remastered, one can immediately catch the lower volume and the sonic difference in quality.

Also, the packaging; The CD insert here is far from complete, based off the vinyl LP packaging. The original included a fable from Van's [then] wife Janet Planet, as well as four b/w photographs, all were printed inside the gatefold interior and disappointingly not reproduced anywhere inside the booklet of this release.

So to summarize, a 5 star album just not done justice on Compact Disc.

I like to say that in 1971 I become musically aware. I was into hard driving rock mainly, although I did like some of the softer C,S,N & Y stuff. I only knew Van Morrison by Tupelo Honey and Brown Eyed Girl. I put him in the Neil Diamond category. Ok to listen to at times, but I'd be embarrassed to tell my friends I liked him. Too pop.

Then recently I began to hear a song I had never heard. And It Stoned Me. I loved it and began to wonder if there was more to Van Morrison than I had been led to believe. Saw this album in Borders under the "Classic Albums" category and picked it up.

Wow! What a great album! Besides Stoned Me, I love Into the Mystic, Crazy Love and many others. Glad its not to late for me to catch up on what made Van Morrison a great artist.

I bought this album as a farewell present to a friend and co-worker. It's a great album, but it was recorded in an era before digital recording. The recording was very quiet and hiss-filled. The only reason I could listen to it is because I own sound manipulation software that can remove the hiss and boost the amplitude of the music.

I wonder why the same process applied to Let It Be...Naked can't be applied to classic albums like these. After all, they could sell the CD all over again to people who love it!

i had the tape for a number of years and have worn the thing out, i found the CD and purchased it right away. The one song that i have always loved, Into the Mystic sounds even more wonderful on CD, now i can have it forever!

... that i'd have to keep in my entire collection, i've little doubt that it would be this folk/jazz inspired gem.

creativity in artists peak at a particular point in time of their artistic evolution. for van morrison it apparently sustained well beyond his prior relfective masterpiece astral weeks. moondance is that rare album where for the artist everything comes together - it is the midas touch where everything that the artist touches/does turns to gold.

this album is about all the positive things in life - discovery, happiness, fond memories, pleasant experiences, love, hope, substance/spirit etc. maybe that period of morrison's life was happy enough for him to plumb it and channel it into this album (the harsh realities of life would surface in later albums).

the nostalgic "and it stoned me" kicks of the album. the romantic "moondance", the delicate love ditty "crazy love", the rollicking "caravan", the masterpiece amongst masterpieces - "into the mystic", the hopeful "come running", the soulful "brand new day" - and so the album flows belting out one gem after another. the mood osciallates between the playful/hopeful/energetic and the reflective/meditative, inspired by images of village/country life(?). inspired sax solos, probing flute play, subtle acoustic/electric jazz guitar, a warm intelligent bass and energetic drumming, play the able foil to morrison's inspired singing.

when i bought my b&w nautilus speakers, it was the pleasure/experience of hearing the foghorn (trombone?) blowing in "into the mystic" which convinced me to shell out the money for those highend speakers. if you've not heard this album, i envy you - for this is divine pleasure in waiting!

This album was a masterpiece thirty years ago. It still is. It holds up so well.

My Favorite Van Morrison album of all time and One of the Best album Of the Rock Era. My favorite Songs are the Title Track, "And It Stones Me" and "Caravan". But all the Songs are Terrific. A classic Rock album.

This album is like a greatest hits album in its self. Instead of buying that messed up greatest hits album van released a couple of years ago buy this. you will be listening to this for the rest of your life. Its great.

I would make this an essential purchase for all music fans! especially "caravan," which is one of the best songs he's ever made and one of the only songs that never seems to get old when I listen to it a lot! People may talk a lot about Astral Weeks as being better, but it is not as consistent as this album. For some reason people also say that Tupelo Honey is better, but I found almost everything on that album to be monumentally cheesy, and far below The Man's high standards. If you are just getting into Van Morrison, make this your first purchase, you will like all of the songs on this disc! Then get Best Of vol 1 for the rest of his essential songs, and maybe Astral Weeks, though I suggest you listen to that one first before you buy it. Then the magic of Van Morrison will be yours to savor!

One of the best albums i own. Wonderful to listen to and great songwriting to boot. I especially love Into the Mystic, And it stoned me, These dreams of you

What an eye opener this album was for a kid growing up with pop infected older siblings. Van's a seeker, and this collection contains a wide range of emotional themes and musical styles. The result manages to be both introspective and carefree. It is strong throughout, and is essentially a Van "sampler". There are other more singularly thematic (mystic, lover, bard, etc.) Van offerings, but Moondance came before most of his music business wars, and the youthful optimism is infectious. Extra credit for using "fantabulous" in a sentence.

I took a chance on this one - I only knew Van from what I've heard on the radio. Nevertheless, in my constant pursuit of great music to listen to, I took an educated risk and bought this one.

"How bad could it be", I figured? I know half the songs. So, I took it home and turned it on, and my oh my...

What a wonderful CD! Such pure talent - great vocals, intense lyrics, and a backing band second to none. It's an absolute pleasure to listen to this one over and over again while I am at work. Every song stands on it's own merits, yet combined they add up to a collection that stands out as one of the best titles I've ever owned.

Needless to say, I've now got to go back and pick up some of his other earlier titles. I can only hope they are as good this one, because it's sure going to be a hard one to top!

It must be a drag artistically to have recorded your best-known work so early in your career. Van Morrison was 22 when he recorded "Moondance", the follow-up to the mind-blowing "Astral Weeks". From all accounts, Van the Man has a restless mind and spirit, hates to revisit the past too much, and feels somewhat imprisoned by this LP's success. To add insult upon injury, he doesn't even exclusively control the rights "...Weeks" and this disc. Nevertheless, about 99% of all musicians wish they had such problems. If there has ever been any doubt in anyone's mind about the Man's voice, listen to the casual epic "And it Stoned Me". If there has ever been a doubt as to his songwriting brilliance, listen to "Into the Mystic". If there has ever been any doubt as to his ability to create and pace and unending underlying theme, listen to the whole darned LP from first note to the last pulse of the last sound. Though Van the Man has been justifiably criticized for some less-than-worthy efforts and an occasional coast, the objective listener will be absolutely arrested by this record and more than convinced of its place in the history of pop music.

I'll always remember having this played by my mum in our kitchen as I was growing up. Even before I bought my first cd (hell, even before cds were around!) I remember this album being played and loving "Into The Mystic" and "Moondance"... I suppose I didn't pay attention to much of the other songs. Recently, as I began to listen to Van, firstly buying Astral Weeks, then this, then Into the Music etc, I was made aware that this album is a very complete classic. About a year ago, the band I was in did "And It Stoned Me" as a cover, and while I didn't know the arrangements, I found myself knowing the words and changes. That this amazing song opens the album is a very bold statement from Morrison, for to live up to that premise the album would need to be of at least that quality of that song. Is it? Absolutely.

In between the three true classics of this album ("And It Stoned Me", "Moondance" and "Into the Mystic"), songs such as "Crazy Love" (another one that EVERYONE knows, but maybe don't know who sang it), "Caravan" (which I first heard the Band perform with Van on "The Last Waltz"), "Brand New Day" etc. cement the status of this album as a true classic. In truth, the second half of the album doesn't live up to the opening 5 songs, but that is a minor quibble made more obsolete given the standard of that opening quintet.

I would argue that the lead into the chorus of "... Mystic" is one of the most fluid, impressive vocal performances ever committed to tape, and the rest of the album doesn't lag too far behind. While albums like Astral Weeks provide epic songs with superb vocals, I know that (while to me, Astral is his best) his voice on that album can grate for some people. This is possibly his most accessible work in these terms at least.

In my opinion, Morrison created better albums, ("Astral Weeks", "Into The Music", possibly even "Veedon Fleece"), but the universal appeal and respect fo this album has always been there more so than with any of his other works.

A classic, plain and simple.

What I can Say about Moondance. This music has been a soundtrack for my life. I first owned it on lp in the middle 70's when I was a stoned high schooler. Later when I met my wife we would always turn to this for those lazy Sunday afternoons together. We would attempt to dance to Moondance and get lost in the romantic lyrics. Caravan what else can i say the intensity and soulfulness stil brings me chills everytime I hear it. My wife has passed away at a young age after almost 20 years of marriage and this music is still being played. Yes it brings me back memories,hope and sadness. Thank you Van