Regularly making it as my top album of all time, this extraordinary album means a great deal to me personally and has stretched across the years changing in meaning and importance as we have gone along together but that it is example of what was going on at that time is truly truly a magical time for any of us living through it is without question. 

On this day in music history: November 25, 1968 - “Astral Weeks”, the second album by Van Morrison is released. Produced by Lewis Merenstein, it is recorded at Century Sound Studios in New York City from September 25, 1968, and October 1-15, 1968. Following his split from Them at the end of 1966, lead singer Van Morrison launches his career as a solo artist. Signing with Bert Berns’ label Bang Records, Van realizes quickly that he has signed a very bad deal, inadvertently relinquishing his creative control and song publishing rights. The producer takes the eight songs recorded for singles, releasing them as the album “Blowin’ Your Mind!”, after “Brown Eyed Girl” (#10 Pop) becomes a major hit. Morrison is unaware of this until a friend tells him that he has just purchased a copy of it in a record store. Before Van tries to leave the label, Bert Berns dies of a heart attack. Berns widow Ilene attempts to prevent Morrison from leaving the label, and performing live. Leaving New York City for Boston, playing wherever he can while laying low and writing new material. The songs are inspired by his upbringing and poetic musings. Morrison is approached by Warner Bros Records, based on the success of “Brown Eyed Girl” in early 1968. When producer Lewis Merenstein and Inherit Productions manager Bob Schwaid hear Van perform, they work to get him out of his former contract. Singing and accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, he is backed by jazz musicians that include former Eric Dolphy bassist Richard Davis, guitarist Jay Berliner (Harry Belafonte), percussionist Warren Smith, Jr. (Max Roach) and Modern Jazz Quartet drummer Connie Kay. The album is thematically split into two halves, with side one being listed as “In The Beginning” and side two as “Afterwards”. Receiving virtually no promotion, “Astral Weeks” sells poorly. Over time, it’s discovered by rock critics and fans. In spite of its lack of commercial success, it spins off some of Morrison’s best loved and widely covered songs including “Sweet Thing”, “Beside You”, “Madame George”, “Cypress Avenue” and the title track. The album’s now iconic cover photo, is taken by photographer Joel Brodsky (The Doors). In time, “Astral Weeks” is regarded as one of Van Morrison’s most important works, and marks the true birth of his career as a solo artist. Lauded as a landmark recording, the album is inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 1999. In 2008, he performs and records all of the songs at the Hollywood Bowl, which are released as the live album “Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl” in February of 2009, followed by a DVD release in May of 2009. Warner Bros remasters and reissues the original album on CD in 2015 with four additional bonus tracks, also issuing it as a 180 vinyl LP in 2009, with a limited edition clear vinyl pressing released in July of 2017. “Astral Weeks” does not chart on the Billboard Top 200, is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.