VAN MORRISON - TOP 10 Albums

[@realCaptainSanta]

10 - Hard Nose the Highway 9- Tupelo Honey 8 - Avalon Sunset 7 - Poetic Champions Compose 6 - No Guru... 5 - St Dominics Preview 4 - Astral Weeks 3 - Into the Music 2 - Moondance 1 - It's Too Late to Stop Now Love Common One as well, but some of the live versions of Summertime in England (my favorite Van song) are superior to the album - especially the one with Richie Buckley on sax.

[@dianeshort2821]

Van Morrison. I mean just how do you explain his unbelievable gift of music and writing. There are certain songs Which literally stops you in your track. Lyrics so sublime. So unique. Even Godly. The track. In the garden. I mean wow... As I touched your face so lightly born again you were... It’s hard not to silenced by the joy of such songs. Daring night... as he says many times... a sense of wonder. An absolutely icon. Different in every way. If you want your music to take you to a different place. But listen and enjoy the journey

[@matthewgallagher1761]

"Into the Music" HAS to be there - start to finish, a masterpiece, "Bright Side of the Road," I mean, come on, "When the Healing Has Begun," one of his very best!

[@josephdevlin7528]

I totally agree.

[@thewickerman4083]

Into the Music is my favourite Van Morrison album, amazing songs from start to finish..

[@88pedro888]

Totally agree. It was a real return to form for Van at that stage of his career.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

It is there!

[@MustangTennisCIA]

yeah Into the Music and Hymns to the Silence should be #1 & 2. oh and Live in SF, is the best live LP

[@brendancasey1072]

No Veedon Fleece or St Dominics Preview.. Surely can't be left out of top 10

[@paulhorton5612]

Veedon Fleece for top - totally other-worldly

[@kdotmann]

Astral Weeks, Veedon Fleece and Poetic Champions Compose are three of my favorite albums of all time. Up there with any artist’s best work.

[@tmccarthy1271]

No Veedon Fleece, I'm out

[@DavidSaum-is6xm]

Fair play to you xxx

[@dice1296]

@@kdotmann into the music is similarly unique and brilliant. my #2 van album

[@salimadam104]

Love Common One, and as you say, an overlooked masterpiece.

[@glamourvictims]

My favorites are Hard Nose The Highway, Veeedon Fleece, Saint Dominic’s Preview, & Common One. I love your list!

[@jamieholmes4675]

I love the way he chooses a lot of Vans spiritual work from the 80s as a lot of the music from this period really does make me feel 'lit up inside'

[@paulvh84]

Man, this is a sweet KZbin video. I made a list down below a couple years back and am now disturbed by how I didn’t include Too Long in Exile anywhere on it. A great & underrated Van album! Anyway, my revised list is now down below. Happy Holidays to Van fans! Listen to the Lion! 🙌 Cheers!🍺 Oh, and this list goes to 11! 11. Poetic Champions Compose 10. Hard Nose the Highway 9. Too Long in Exile 8. Into the Music 7. A Sense of Wonder 6. Beautiful Vision 5. Veedon Fleece 4. Wavelength 3. Astral Weeks 2. Common One 1. St. Dominic’s Preview

[@chrismcmorrow9738]

Van Morrison is a moder-day Beethoven and Bach rolled into one. No other band or individual singer songwriter even comes close. Van is God’s gift to fallen mankind.

[@ericlarsen8401]

Thanks David! I really enjoyed listen to your top 10 Van Morrison albums. With such a large catalog of music it is difficult to narrow them all down and it is very subjective. I had a very similar experience when I ran into Van before a show once, so I know the look he gave you. Van described himself in an interview once as an introvert in an extrovert business. I always gave him some slack for not being the “rockstar “ we want him to be. Thanks again!

[@coleenphilipson2656]

I had the pleasure of having backstage passes to his show, courtesy of my cousin, who was the doctor for any of the acts at Jones Beach Theatre on Long Island, one summer (July 1995) We sat with the band for about an hour and just before the show started, everyone back stage was escorted out. Van didn't come out til backstage was completely clear. I was sad I didn't get to meet him, but the show was amazing. We sat in the rafters directly above the stage on stage right. An absolutely incredible experience. The man is brilliant and will always be my favorite singer and musician!🎵💜🎵

[@JFB-Haninge]

Thanks David. I like your reviews. There are relaxed, enjoyable and personal. Got reminded of "Hymns To The Silence".

[@diegocantona9627]

Good discussion. You really love and appreciate your music. Fantastic library behind you!!

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Thanks!

[@lefthand84]

Clicked on this 'cos I was listening to Common One last night. Feckin love that album. Kudos for including it so high!

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

It's gorgeous, isn't it? 👍🏻

[@jasonhoffer9017]

Great great list - Van Morrison's career is similar to Bowie in that everyone can have a different top 10 list and still be correct. I would have Veedon fleece on the top of my list - otherwise I totally get your list. Thanks for taking the time to do this!

[@billk9856]

Common One is my favourite album of all time .... so surprised and pleased to see you sharing the pleasure.

[@bunnymom9842]

Van Morrison transcends time. He can sing the same song fifty different ways and it’s always great. I suppose he can be difficult, but it’s his talent that does it for me!❤️❤️

[@jimb2371]

I’ve heard 20 live versions of Tupelo honey/ why must I always explain and they are all different and great

[@tonycairns6728]

This is great, thanks! I'm a Geordie too, and saw VM at Newcastle City Hall in 1989. My list, best 1st (studio albums only): 1 - St Dominic's Preview (absolute peak) 2 - Astral Weeks (experimental masterpiece) 3 - Into The Music (late 70s renaissance) 4 - Moondance (patchy Side 2, but with 5 amazing songs) 5 - Beautiful Vision 6 - Poetic Champions Compose 7 - Common One (flawed but essential) 8 - No Guru, No Method, No Teacher (patchy Side Two; peak-form Side One) 9 - Veedon Fleece (flawed, experimental, essential) 10 - Days Like This (his last great album IMO). The expanded version of 'It's Too Late To Stop Now' and the outtakes collection 'The Philosopher's Stone' are essential VM. The recent expanded version of 'The Healing Game' is a revelation. I heard 'Hymns To The Silence' on Spotify recently, and it was better than I remembered (I owned it on cassette at the time of its release).

[@dice1296]

BV is indeed quite good and underrated. like your list, though your #1 would be much further down for me

[@mezzmezzy]

I really enjoyed watching this. Your enthusiasm for music is infectious and unpretentious. I am a huge Van Morrison fan, I don't agree with the order you put the albums in, but you certainly chose ten of Van's greatest albums. Of the 42 albums he has made I would describe at least 25 as great, and I agree that he hasn't made a bad album.

[@jamieholmes4675]

He's bloody good at this so I hope to hear more.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

@@jamieholmes4675 That's very generous. Thanks!

[@teresasteele5327]

I just love him, his voice is just as good now, if not better, than when he started out.

[@ΝικοςΚουβατης]

Nice. What a huge artist! I agree about his voice but the music of his first period is awesome. My choices: Astral weeks Veedon fleece Poetic champions compose Moondance No guru no method no teacher Common one St Dominic s preview

[@zapple1003]

"Common One" is one of my favorite Van Morrison. Glad to see somebody else thinks highly of it.

[@MarrakeshTallTrees]

I'm just educating myself on Van's back catalogue so this video has been really enlightening and i will be checking out these albums

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Thank you!

[@johnw706]

Good video . I will have to check out Common One and No Guru . Some of my favourites include : Moondance His Band & Street Choir Tupelo Honey Too Late to Stop Now Veedon Fleece Hard Nose the Highway Back on Top Into the Music A Night in San Francisco Beautiful Vision Poetic Champions Compose. Thank you for the recommendations . I will certainly explore a number of your selections . Cheers !

[@amyshaw1531]

Thank you. I really love his music. He speaks to the soul.

[@nicksallnow-smith7585]

Enjoyed this a lot and your top five are all of high merit. I bought Astral Weeks in my first term at university, so it therefore occupies a special place. At that time in 1969 it was unlike any other album that you could buy. But there was some albums you missed that, as you worked towards your number one I was getting sure you would choose! My no. 1 is Veedon Fleece. Weird and strange and sometimes harder to listen to than some others but for me the one I always come back to, that and No Guru. You also missed out the album he recorded with the chieftains Irish Heartbeat. Another wonderful album and deserving perhaps to be somewhere in the top 10.

[@philipmatthews7128]

I got Common One in a discount bin many years ago, in fact it was my first Van disc. Played it once and forgot about it for a while, I then finally connected to it after a few more plays and I was hooked on Van ever since. Have nearly everything of his now including countless bootlegs. Into The Music is my favourite closely followed by Hymns To The Silence ( Take me Back is stunning ) and Common One. Unable to get into Three Chords and the Truth, but love his last couple with Joey Defrancesco You're Driving Me Crazy and The Prophet Speaks. He toured here ( Australia ) and received bad press and has refused to come here ever since sadly. Great presentation and video glad I found you only last week. Enjoyed you're last walking trip, we're not lost just unsure where we are !!

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Cheers Philip. I've had a similar experience with 'Common One'. I didn't get it initially, but I came back to it a few years later and was hooked. I had a similar experience with Wagner's 'Das Rheingold'. 😳 (more of that later!)

[@kevinogracia1615]

Cool to see Joni's "Hissing of Summer Lawns" in the background.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Another classic!

[@Harry-ck5rw]

Moving on skiffle is so good , not only the music ,but the sound of the cd is so great . Unbelievble. ❤❤❤

[@ralphmachholz6696]

I stumbled on this Video accidently (not to say KZbin algorithm dragged me here). Van Morrison dropped in at my life in 1978 with Wavelength and his head over heels performance at The Band: The last waltz. I worked through your list and at every nomination I stopped and flipped through the album. A wise and well thought selection. Astral weeks wouldn't even on my list and I missed Wavelength. Never mind: listening to you and switch to the Albums was fun and worth listening. Thanks ... well done.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Thanks Ralph. We can't go wrong with Van, eh? Every album has something good to offer.

[@sampleart1]

Good to hear Hymns to the Silence album getting a mention. I still play it today, as well as another of his ambient albums, Inarticulate Speech of the Heart. All his albums from the 70s and 80s are great. Astral Weeks is a master piece, one of a kind.

[@narc699]

I just started listening to Van Morrison a few months ago. I love his recorded live performances. He’s so talented and gifted! Amazing 🤩

[@josephneely4730]

I listen to the song "Hymns to the Silence" to calm down every night, and I agree the album is his best (among many great albums by Van).

[@paulvh84]

Nice list! Glad you gave attention to A Sense of Wonder, one of his more underrated albums. As of now, these are my favorite Van albums. Most Van enthusiasts would probably give me crap about rating Wavelength so high on my list, but I don't care, I love it. Oh, and this list goes to 11! Cheers 11. Hard Nose the Highway 10. Hymns to the Silence 9. Poetic Champions Compose 8. Into the Music 7. A Sense of Wonder 6. Beautiful Vision 5. Veedon Fleece 4. Wavelength 3. Astral Weeks 2. Common One 1. St. Dominic's Preview

[@lindawick455]

Love Wavelength

[@lindawick455]

O absolutely adore "Whats Wrong With This Picture"

[@lindawick455]

Inarticulate Speech of the Heart

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

A hard one to leave out, but there are so many!

[@hughesdela]

Hi David, Thanks for putting this together and for your insights on Van's music - really enjoyed the video. You're right: Common One is a stand out. And I'll be getting my hands on Hymns... With probably fifty albums to savor it's a given that everyone will have their own favorites, as do I, but I enjoyed listening to yours. Thanks again and good work 😎

[@humdrum98]

Van Morrison is one one of the best musicians/songwriters EVER. “Hymns To The Silence” is my personal favorite also. If you have not heard it, do yourself a favor and listen.

[@seanclark2085]

Spot on for your number one, I had that album for 10 years before I realised how feckin brilliant it is .

[@seanclark2085]

Same here , now I think it's his best .

[@thewickerman4083]

A wonderful video David. Naming your top 10 Van Morrison albums is an almost impossible task, but I love your choices. I certainly didn't see your number 1 coming although Hymns to the Silence is awesome. So glad to see A Sense of Wonder get a shout out, this is an album I always come back to and is very under appreciated. You have inspired me to attempt my own top 10 Van albums in preference, so here goes. 1. Into The Music. 2. Veedon Fleece. 3. No Guru, No method, No Teacher. 4. It's Too Late To Stop Now. 5. Astral Weeks. 6. Poetic Champions Compose. 7. Saint Dominic's Preview. 8. Common One. 9. Moondance. 10. A Sense Of Wonder. Thank you for an excellent video.

[@larsivarhordnes182]

well said. All of these are classics. I just miss one: "Inarticulate speech of the heart". A wonderful one.

[@bizzjoe]

Yes, I love that one too

[@lclaymore6587]

I wore the grooves out on that one.

[@lindawick455]

"I am a soul in wonder:....

[@atdotcom64]

Hard Nose was always a sentimental favourite. I listened to it on cassette as a Canadian teenager hitchhiking up and down the east coast of Australia in the early 80s.

[@lacapsuladisqueria]

Thanks from Buenos Aires, here we love Van Morrison, LACAPSULADISQUERIA

[@abacussin]

So happy when you held up Hyms to the silence, I'll be using your recommendatins as a further investigation of the rest of his albums.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Thank you. So few people appear to rate that album. I suspect it's mostly down to people not getting around to hearing it.

[@090238burcher]

Thanks Dave that was very enjoyable. I will give my Van collection another listen .

[@Franklinguy759]

Hello my friend. I have been a Van fan for 30 years. Saw him twice, first time was almost terrible, second was life changing. I only own about 6 Van albums. I always thought that I was on an island by thinking Hymns to the Silence was cool. Now it’s nice to know that at least one other person thinks that way as well. God Bless.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Thank you. It's great to see the love for 'Hymns'.

[@jonp5641]

So many great albums but my favourite is 'Into the Music' followed by 'Avalon Sunset'. I went to the same school as Van, he is a legend.

[@ingenuitas]

Thank you! Excellent. Using your 10, here is how I would rank them: 1. Hymns to the Silence 2. Poetic Champions Compose 3. Into the Music 4. No Guru No Method No Teacher 5. A Sense of Wonder 6. Moondance 7. Too Late to Stop Now 8. Astral Weeks 9. Three Chords & the Truth 10. Common One

[@jennideans]

I used to wait for his latest release over a period of 55 years , race off to the Record Store to buy it , read the reviews in the NME , and wallow in his sound until the next album. No one quite like him ....from New Zealand...

[@craiggrimshaw2740]

I have only recently properly discovered Van Morrison, so this is a great start to it all.

[@severalseasons]

Thanks for the post, it's only natural that everyone's preferences from his amazing catalog would somewhat differ from each other -while at the same time there is surely some sense of general agreement which albums to expect in such a listing. For me, nothing tops "Astral Weeks", and I have always wondered why "Common One" seems so overlooked, so thanks for mentioning it. My list of his top ten efforts would probably also include "Beautiful Vision".

[@newspapertaxis1]

David when you started the count down I said I'm NOT going to cheat and see what number #1 is but.....It better be "Hymns to the Silence" and All be Damn..You Nailed it!!!!!!! That album is beyond GREAT.....It helped me thru a very rough time....Just a Great, Great Lp!!!! Thanks..........

[@bruceclark2277]

Great assessment- thanks. Glad you've got some of my favourites there - especially "it's too late to stop now". I believe I watched this one late night after the pub and was spellbound but have since never come across full video footage. I would have loved to have been there! Also must check out "Common One". Thanks again👍

[@ChrisMcGranaghan]

Thoroughly enjoyable and always hard to pin the best 10. You're not far off - Live at the Opera House, Belfast would be on mine.

[@bizzjoe]

Fantastic live album

[@craigholbrook2580]

Hard to argue with your list at all. I may swap out one or two but the fact that you had Common One right up there made me smile broadly!

[@christophe8412]

This is a great selection. The fact is it is impossible to chose a top ten of Van's records because he maintained such a high level of quality all along his career that there are countless classic albums. Some might agree on the list but disagree on the order but it doesn't really matter, it's personal, what really matters is how you explain why an album stands out and David Atkinson does it pretty well. It's hard for me to imagine that anyone could not appreciate Hymns to the silence which is trully wonderful. Hard nose the highway, Saint Dominic's preview, Tupelo honey, Enlightenment, His Band And The Street Choir, Avalon sunset, Veedon fleece...are absolute classics. A period of transition is totally underrated, it's a fantastic r&b record, a great collaboration with Dr. John. I could go on for ages... The records of the last two decades are way too underrated as well. They might not stand out the same way, not being as creative as the earlier era, but if you really listen to them and just listen to the music without trying to compare you realize this is great music and Van in top form. Roll with the punches will be considered as a classic in 20 years, it's Van's only blues album and he's one of the best blues singers alive in my opinion. Keep it simple, What's Wrong With This Picture, Born To Sing, Keep me singing, Magic time, The Prophet Speaks...are all fabolous. Regarding live performances you can hardly say that his shows are mediocre when you listen to Astral Weeks Live which is a masterpiece as impressive as the original album, incredibly creative and inspired. But I do get David Atkinson's point, you never know what to expect with Van when it comes to shows and sometimes they can be disappointing indeed.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Thank you Christophe for such a thoughtful comment. It's wonderful to know that there are others out here in KZbin-land who don't simply go for 'Astral Weeks' every time without acknowledging the excellence of so many other albums. And I agree, those albums from the last twenty years are full of greats.

[@markmcdermott3530]

Great video David. Really enjoyed watching it and listening to you talk with passion about your top ten. I would have a more a top 5 and they would be Veedon Fleece, Astral Weeks, His Street Choir, Saint Dominic’s Preview and Moondance in no particular order. Thanks for posting !

[@lindamcvickers2549]

Enjoyed your Van Morrison review and comments. Bravo!

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Thanks!

[@Rory99M]

Btw I listened to your video recently have since started listening to Common one again, I previously paid little interest, its brilliant, thanks for recommendation (has to be listened to not just heard as you say)

[@peterwolf6648]

David: I really appreciate your video---very enjoyable! I agree with you r top ten up to #3 Moondance-and I agree, but past this, here are my top two: #2: hard Nose the Highway--- "how could this NOT BE in the top ten?" And my #1: St. Dominic's Preview (ditto...) PS: Live- I caught a couple of shows that were duds, and a couple that were legendary. But yeah, the speeding -up is tough... Anyway God Bless, Pete

[@larryphhihds4415]

So many Van Morrison albums to choose from. Hes my #1 artist. Since I first heard moondance as a child, back in the 80s. The other great live album for me is Live at the Grand Opera House Belfast.

[@larryphhihds4415]

I saw Dylan in concert back in the 90s. Could not understand a word he was singing

[@tonyjedioftheforest1364]

An artist that I know little about but I have a greatest hits and a couple of others that I have picked up over the years so this is a video that I need to re watch and write things down. Thank you for sharing and giving your opinions.

[@mannywilde]

Interesting how every ear perceives sound differently. For me, I can't get enough of his early day vocals! I just hear raw power and a man fully diving in with every kind of vocal technique he can show. I'm not a big fan of his later years voice, specifically 90s era. I think he had a good balance of the 'screechiness' and warm tone on the album Into The Music. He's always tried to emulate John Lee Hooker- whom he adores. If you listen to his 1980 Live at Montreux performance, JLH really comes out of his voice. He balances that rawness so perfectly and that's what I love about Van

[@OMW66]

Oh man! We have the same favorite Morrison album as number one. That’s the first time someone’s agreed with me. I love George Ivan.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Like two needles in a haystack!

[@jamieholmes4675]

'Green Mansions' from that album is a beautiful song

[@lennymarlow6436]

Yes! I totally agree with your pick of "Hymns to the Silence." I could not stop playing this album when I bought it in the mid-1990s. It's still on my rotation. Subscribing to your channel just for this pick. :-)

[@JoyDivision88]

It'sToo Late To Stop Now is in my opinion the best live album ever, from any artist. If you can listen to the extended version which has loads more tracks from the Caledonian Soul Orchestra tour. It is incredible.

[@HonestJohnstories-lv7sb]

I don't know this particular recording but I have a live radio recording from the Bottom Line Club in New York which is fantastic!

[@MrFredhintze]

Odd that folks don’t cover Van Morrison as much as Bob Dylan or other folks. One that just jumps out at me- The Waterboys take on Sweet Thing- great version. Really enjoy your channel.

[@atdotcom64]

Bob is such an awful singer that almost anyone with good pipes can make his genius sing. But topping Van the Man takes brass b@lls…

[@jamesjackson8652]

Such a difficult list to make and mine would change depending on my mood. Moondance, Into the Music (Angelou is next level), His Band and Street Chior, Astral Weeks, Blowing Your Mind (really only TB Sheets) Tupelo Honey, Veedon Fleece, No Method, Common One, Enlightenment... but on another day the list would include Hard Nose the Highway, Hymns to the Silence, St Dominic's Preview, Wavelength ... yeah a very hard list.. As for Live, his 1980 performance at the Montreux Jazz festival is fabulous even with a couple of musician mistakes.

[@bizzjoe]

Can we get some love for the Street Choir album, and Beautiful Vision ?

[@lindawick455]

Ooove Street Choir, the song itself. "Why did you leave, America?". I want to know who he is talking to. "You aren't in my plans at all"

[@bizzjoe]

@@lindawick455 .. What a song .. I’ll give it a spin right now.

[@dice1296]

street choir is brilliant. only suffers from what sound like a couple of astral leftovers

[@StratsRUs]

Whatever album had Dweller On The Threshold on ! Very enjoyable video.Thank you.

[@JeffSchreiber99]

The first time I ever heard Dweller was on the Belfast Grand Opera House Live recording where it’s in the opening which starts off with an instrumental Into the Mystic and a brief repetition of Inarticulate Speech of the Heart transitioning into a killer Dweller on the Threshold. If you’ve never heard it check it out.

[@timbragg9684]

Great to see Common One there! I LOVE this album! And I really love the live album 'Live at the Grand Opera House Belfast'. So many good albums to choose. 'Beautiful Vision'/'Inarticulate Speech of the Heart'/'Wavelength'/'Days Like This' etc.

[@nyeevans13]

Good job Dave, can't fault this list one bit. I am guessing you were born in 1962 like me. You got it so right about Van live and his grumps. But then, the man is touched with pure genius as we know

[@johncameron6289]

Slow to your channel but I am SHOCKED that your number 1 is my number 1!!! I truly thought I was the only person in the world who would put this LP at the top of the list. I have everything he’s ever done, I think, and Morrison seldom fails. Thank you!

[@VinylMonkey58]

Thanks David I really enjoyed that. I have all 41 0f Van's albums (on both vinyl and cd) and have seen him live maybe 25 or so times over the years (probably at the same gigs as you in the North east). Last time I seen him was in a tiny venue (under 200 seats) in a small village (Bellaghy) in Northern Ireland-absolutely incredible. Fascinating top 2. I love Haunts of Ancient Peace from Common One, and also Take Me Back from HTTS. I agree he hasn't made a 'bad' album but that some of his later stuff(last 20 years) is almost difficult to differentiate. However I do think the quality has increase (from a high bar) iover the past few years. I really enjoyed listening to 'Keep Me Singing' yesterday. I hope you don't mind if I have a go at my top ten Morrison albums on my KZbin channel vinyl monkey, once I finish the alphabetical tour of my vinyl collection. ( coincidentally I'm up to the letter M this week, but don't plan to include any VM).

[@stevecarlsonvinylcommunity9147]

That’s a heck of a Morrison book. Morrison is. Very difficult person, many people have been upset at his concerts. Still the music is great. After Them he was in Boston and was really doing garage rock and some of his hits were later transformed into the music we here on the albums. He was at a concert in aboston and they could not use the el3ctric instruments so he went acoustic and it was a hit, this got him going in the direction of Astral Weeks. I spent many years looking for Veendon Fleece and then suddenly I found 3 in one month. Nice picks. I do love his 70s stuff except Avalon Sunset which I really love a lot. Steve

[@darrenharrison7367]

Also love Common One and Hymns To The Silence- but would have included Inarticulate Speech of the Heart, and Veedon Fleece the big one missing my 2nd favorite after Astral Weeks. Great to see the Joni in the background as well.

[@berntlie6799]

I heard Astral Weeks at a friends place in the late 1970s, and fell into his music. To me, it is a perfect album. But some of his other albums are also flawless (Moondance, etc.). To me, it is difficult to make a list of 10 best... I agree that Three Chords & the Blues is one of his best albums the last 1-2 decades, but I would probably place the twin album, Keep Me Singing, at least on par. The Prophet Speaks is also good. The 2000-2010 albums are, overall, relatively good. I enjoy What's Wrong With This Picture (no bad tracks, and a few super tracks -- Little Village, St James Infirmary), Down The Road (sounds like a tribute to those who inspired him), etc. 1990s -- Hymns to the Silence is gorgeous -- in addition to the ones you mention, I love Village Idiot, Take Me Back (actress Jennifer Jason Leigh's performance of it in movie Georgia is almost scary), etc. Also other strong albums in that period. Some people like Days Like This. One of his best tracks ever, Ancient Highway, is on that album. But to me, other tracks are not at the same level. Common One is a strong album. I would not put it at the top, though -- I enjoy Haunts of Ancient Peace (and Pee Wee Ellis sax work), Summertime in England, etc., but some of the songs to me are too stagnant. To me, Into the Music is one of his albums where almost all tracks are superb. I also like St Dominic's Preview and Veedon Fleece a lot. Many other albums are very good, in my view. Live performances... I've probably been to 5+ live shows. Several of them have been great; one was on the shorter side (ca. 60 minutes). So overall, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend live shows. I also like several of the live albums, not only It's Too Late to Stop Now. E.g., the one from Belfast and the one from San Francisco. And the Montreaux Concert in 1980 is superb (available on DVD) -- Troubadours is one highlight.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

It's so hard to separate them, isn't it? I love 'The Prophet Speaks' too, and those other live albums are great (although Brian Kennedy is just a bit to prominent on the SF One).

[@jameschen2168]

The Belfast live album is hardly mentioned anywhere, but I really like it. The horns work really well and the overall mood is great and some songs are done faster than on the studio albums (Full Force Gale, Dweller on the Threshold…). I would definitely include it in my top 10.

[@alexxpopalexx9728]

Very nice, enjoyable and also interesting video ❤👍(and very funny the anecdote with Van Morrison in the pub 😅) It is always interesting how other people (who in principle appreciate and love Van Morrison's music as much as I do) view and feel his music, voice and different periods. And which albums they focus on. I was very curious about the number 1 on this video, which is a Van Morrison album that I discovered very late. It's not my favorite album, but I appreciate it very much and like to listen to it and that's also due to a certain aspect: the album was released during the phase when I love his voice the most (roughly speaking, from the mid-80s to the mid-90s) In this phase I LOVE the sound of his voice (voluminous, powerful, but also directly touching my soul) and his style of singing. And on this album (and many others from that phase) he is vocally at his peak. I think the reason for, which Van Phase you like the most and which albums are your favorite albums also has to do with when and with what album you were introduced to his music. My very first contact with Van Morrison's music was "A Night in San Francisco", which was not only recorded during my favorite vocal phase of Van, but which is also still my all-time favorite live album to this day. His voice on this album, its sound, its energy, his technique of singing, his repetitions, his inwardness on "In the Garden" are overwhelming (to my ears and to my heart). Nonetheless, some of my favorite Van Morrison albums are outside of this phase as well. What is so extraordinary about Van Morrison is that he managed to make absolutely great albums even in his late stages (such as "Three Chords and the Truth")

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

It's incredible that he still produces albums of great quality so deep into his career. The latest one, though, isn't shaping up to be a classic though. I've listened to it a couple of times and it seems half-baked.

[@mezzmezzy]

@@davidatkinson-lifematters4826 , I think there are some great songs on the new album, such as Dupers Delight, Psychoanalysts Ball, Do The Right Thing, A Few Bars Early, and a few others. I just think it is a bit too long. If it was just the best 14 songs then people would think it is great.

[@carlmichael5592]

Totally agree about his voice in the late eighties, to stunning effect on No Guru, Avalon Sunset and especially Hymns. The raw power in A Town Called Paradise is majestic.

[@JohnnyRecently]

What a unique and enlightening ranking and commentary.

[@davidkingston8992]

The Moondance Blu-Ray containing the 5.1 mix of the album is astonishing. It’s almost worth putting together a surround sound system just to hear it. Another great music review David. I can’t wait for the next one. 🎼🎸🎤

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Very kind. Thanks. I'll do my best!

[@humdrum98]

Agree 100%. I am fortunate to have such a system. It is sad that the 5.1 surround recordings are so few. I suppose most people would rather just plug in their earbuds and that is good enough. They do not know what they are missing with 5.1 surround audio recordings (in my opinion). If you can, check out Blood, Sweat & Tears “ Child Is Father To The Man” , Dire Straits “ Brothers In Arms” and The Beatles “Abbey Road” ( in 7.1 Dolby Atmos).

[@tfmajka13]

I was thinking about Van some more after watching this great video. Here are his songs that I listen to the most in no particular order: Call Me Up in Dreamland Caravan Astral Weeks Old Old Woodstock Saint Dominic's Preview Bulbs Real Real Gone If I had to chose my favorite it would be Saint Dominic's Preview.

[@temporarystranger95]

No one’s mentioned Enlightenment? Underrated gem of an album.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

It's another great one. Tough to leave it out....on another day....

[@StratsRUs]

It's good but I would leave it out.

[@jimb2371]

So Quiet in here …. One of his best … a metaphor for the meaning of life

[@TheBigInning]

Beautiful Vision!

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Well, thank you! 😉 Good album. 👍🏻

[@jamieholmes4675]

A fantastic choice 👌........I absolutely love 'Inarticulate speech of the Heart' from 1983 and a new favourite of mine would be 'Keep me Singing' from 2016

[@lindawick455]

Keep Me Singing, What's Wrong With This Picture would make my list somehow

[@MrHhkrohn]

Feedon Fleece was a big discovery for me 🤔😊 great video !

[@martindelia6590]

Thanks for the Van Morrison top 10, certainly a daunting task when, like you say, they are all brilliant in their own way. Have been a fan since the 70's myself and always enjoy his music, any album! I have actually read that book by Clinton Heylin and yes, it doesn't paint a good picture of Van, but still worth a read as it gives a few interesting insights into the man and the creation of his art.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

That book is staring at me every day!

[@fierytybalt4534]

Thanks David, great show. So too we're your Boss and Genesis reviews. I can go years without listening to Van and then play him non stop. A bit like Neil Young for me at any rate. I must have c30 Van records. If I could keep only 5 I would go for Wavelength, Moondance, Into the Music, Beautiful Vision and Veedon Fleece. After watching your review, I have ordered Three Chords and the Truth. Reviews for his latest are so awful, I am very tempted to buy it!

[@stephengoldsmith1]

Ignore the reviews Latest Record Project in my opinion it’s one of his better albums since 2000. Go out and buy it.

[@longwalkeroo]

Common One is right up there for me, too. I've got all of your top 10!

[@seanaddis9749]

Hymns to the silence is probably underrated but would miss my top ten. You are so right about Common One which is a self indulgent masterpiece. My top three are : 3 Common One , 2 Astral Weeks and 1 Veedon Fleece

[@tfmajka13]

Great video. Saint Dominic's Preview is in my top 5 for sure.

[@HonestJohnstories-lv7sb]

Into The Music (with the wonderful Pete Van Hook on drums) is my personal favourite.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

It's a lovely album.

[@mikaraunemo1319]

Great stuff, how about Dylan next Time, keep em coming. My top 10 Van 1st era Moondance, Veedon Fleece, Too Late.., Tupeloy Honey,Wavelength.2nd , Avalon Sukset, Poetic Champions 3rd Enlightenment, Days Like This, The Prophet Speaks. Cheers from Finland

[@nolandalla]

Very well done. Strong disagreement on the Top 10 but appreciate the work and detail that David put into this.

[@giannicarati7472]

Hymns to the silence,no guru no metod no teacher,poetic Champions.

[@wattsup9718]

Good work on what is an almost impossible task!.Great to see 'Hymns To the Silence' there - it is sadly overlooked and as you mention ridiculously difficult to get hold of. To my ears its spread a bit thin as a double album, but edited to a single album it would be a killer. Only one real quibble with your list, same as some other comments here - no 'St Dominics Preview' ?!?!?!

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Cheers. I got hammered for not including ' Veedon Fleece' too. 'Jackie Wilson Said' leaves me cold. Crazy, I know.

[@HarposGhost]

Enjoyable & informative video as I'm just getting into Van's music and I am not too familiar with his (vast) back catalogue, cheers.

[@coleenphilipson2656]

Best move you've made in your life! Enjoy! The more you listen, and the closer you listen to the words, the better his music is!!

[@johnwilkinson4951]

Summertime in England my all time favorite Van composition

[@renatocpjr5192]

1.Astral Weeks 2.Veedon Fleece 3.Into the Music 4.Enlightenment 5.Tupelo Honey 6.Moondance 7.Hard Nose the Highway 8.Inarticulate Speech of the Heart 9.Common One 10.Too Long in Exile

[@reredrumuoy]

Have you ever listened to Veedon Fleece?

[@Rory99M]

Great choices. I really enjoyed that. Personally I have enjoyed his albums over the last two decades as much s any of his other stuff. My favourites of that time Down the road Magic time No plan b (for some reason it doesn't seem to be released on vinyl) Keep me singing Three chords and the truth The other ones during this time are also of interest I'm surprised veedon fleece and avalon sunset didn't make your top ten but each to their own and there's so many good ones to choose from

[@markharrington3775]

I enjoyed hearing your list Dave, the difference with me is I also love Jazz, so the jazzy ones are fine with me as well. He did have a far better 80s than most rock musicians though, didn't he, with that spiritual trip you refer to. My main problem is I find it difficult to dismiss any of them.

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

It's almost harder to choose the ones to leave out than to select a top 10!

[@thadiusplug7666]

Astral Weeks introduced jazz/rock fusion ...thank you Mr. Davis. did i menton Van was my favorite artist?....Then i heard Sohyang sing....she takes me to places i didn't know existed. what can i say....i love existential tour guides.

[@gibby6904]

Very nice choices......Hymns to the Silence has long been one of my top Van albums.......I would have squeezed in Enlightenment and Tupelo Honey but overall very nice choices and an entertaining video!

[@davidatkinson-lifematters4826]

Thanks. Love it when Hymns is held in high regard.

[@gordonpetersmith]

Moondance is the greatest album in the history of the Universe so thats the end of the disucssion... onlyjoking - well, not about Moondance whihch is one of my top10 albums ever. Astral Weeks just behind. But I have only dipped in and out of his work really since then so really appreciated being pointed at the common One and Hymns to the Silence, neither of which I really know. At first listen, they're very good (if not in the Moondance league!) excellent session David, look forward to the next. Kylie Minogue perhaps?

[@dice1296]

couple of weaker tracks on the B side of moondance. other than that it's kind of a yin to astral's yang

[@marekurbanowicz7553]

Having seen Van many, many times over the years and also having been at the Rainbow when Too Late To Stop Now was recorded, I find this list interesting but can't really agree with it as a top 10. Astral Weeks has to be number 1, then Veedon Fleece, St. Dominic's Preview, Too Late... Poetic Champions, Moondance, Into the Music, Hard Nose, No Guru etc.Inarticulate Speech. Beautiful Vision/Common One. I have ALL his albums so almost impossible to select 10 out of them. After Hymns to the Silence it all became a bit jazz-lite. Pleasant but you don't breathe in, breathe out and get high on them though Van doesn't do bad albums.Best 2 gigs I ever went to of Van's was the one at the Rainbow and then the Albert Hall when he did the whole of Astral Weeks. Both amazing.