Van Morrison – Moondance

Van Morrison – Moondance

A landmark of classic singer-songwriter music, Moondance captures Van Morrison at the height of his creative powers. Originally released in February 1970, this acclaimed album showcases the Belfast-born musician blending folk-rock, jazz, soul, blues and R&B into a beautifully balanced collection of songs that remains one of the most enduring recordings of its era.

Following the critical success of 1968's Astral Weeks, Morrison took a different musical direction with Moondance, creating a warmer, more accessible sound built around sophisticated arrangements, infectious rhythms and memorable melodies. While retaining the poetic imagination and spiritual depth that distinguished his earlier work, the album introduced a more confident, groove-oriented approach that brought his songwriting to a much wider audience.

Produced by Morrison himself, with Lewis Merenstein as executive producer, the album was recorded at A&R Recording Studios in New York during 1969. Its rich musical arrangements feature an accomplished group of musicians, including guitarist John Platania, pianist Jeff Labes, bassist John Klingberg and drummer Garry Malabar, alongside an impressive horn section and backing vocalists Judy Clay, Emily Houston and Jackie Verdell.

The title track, "Moondance", is an irresistible blend of jazz, soul and pop, featuring elegant saxophone arrangements, a swinging rhythm and one of Morrison's most recognisable vocal performances. Its sophisticated musical character has made it a perennial favourite and one of the defining recordings of his career.

Elsewhere, "And It Stoned Me" opens the album with a beautifully melodic, nostalgic reflection on childhood and the natural world, while "Crazy Love" is a wonderfully understated soul ballad featuring delicate backing vocals. "Caravan" builds into an infectious, rhythm-driven performance, capturing Morrison's ability to combine evocative storytelling with irresistible musical momentum.

One of the album's most celebrated moments is "Into The Mystic", a timeless composition that blends folk, soul and spiritual reflection into an atmospheric and deeply affecting performance. Its evocative lyrics, gentle arrangement and expressive vocal delivery have helped establish it as one of Morrison's most beloved songs.

The second side maintains the album's remarkable consistency. "Come Running" provides an energetic burst of melodic pop-rock, while "These Dreams Of You" draws on blues and soul influences. "Brand New Day" is an expansive, uplifting performance featuring rich backing vocals, and "Everyone" offers a more playful, rhythmically engaging moment before the album closes with the wonderfully arranged "Glad Tidings".

What makes Moondance particularly special is its balance of musical sophistication and accessibility. Morrison draws on jazz, traditional blues, gospel, folk and American soul without ever losing his distinctive songwriting identity. The musicianship is subtle but exceptional, with the horn arrangements, rhythm section and backing vocals providing a constantly engaging musical backdrop.

The album became a major commercial success, reaching the US Top 30 and eventually achieving multi-platinum certification. Its influence can be heard across generations of singer-songwriters and musicians working in folk-rock, blue-eyed soul, jazz-pop and roots music.

An essential record for fans of Van Morrison, classic singer-songwriters, sophisticated 1970s pop, folk-rock, jazz and soul. Featuring some of his most enduring compositions, Moondance remains a beautifully crafted album that rewards repeated listening and deserves its place among the great records of the early 1970s.

Tracklist

Side A
A1. And It Stoned Me – 4:30
A2. Moondance – 4:35
A3. Crazy Love – 2:34
A4. Caravan – 4:57
A5. Into The Mystic – 3:25

Side B
B1. Come Running – 2:30
B2. These Dreams Of You – 3:50
B3. Brand New Day – 5:09
B4. Everyone – 3:31
B5. Glad Tidings – 3:13