Customer Reviews

Astral Weeks Live At The Hollywood Bowl: The Concert Film (Amazon.com Exclusive)

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Just received it. For the benefit of non-US fans it is actually an all region 0 DVD and not the region 1 DVD in the Amazon description.

Just AMAZING! I was never really a Van Fan other than his top pop classic's like Brown Eyed Girl and Moondance...and then I sat back and listened to the CD of this that came out last month - an awesome experience many times over - and finally I had a chance to screen a copy from a journalist friend that got an advance of the DVD.

WOW! WOW! WOW! You feel like you are right on stage with the artist! And the music which at this point I was so familiar with from the CD just comes to life on a big flat screen and with a surround sound system.

Now I understand what Van says in his interviews about "Brown Eyed Girl" just being a throw away tune that the label made him write to get them top 40 airplay back in the 60's

THIS work of art is soooo complex and the Van the Man is sooo talented on Piano, Guitar, Harmonica and Sax! What he does with his voice, I can barely believe the sounds come out of his mouth. It's one thing to have HEARD it on the CD, but when you SEE it - that takes it all to another dimension.

And for those in concert reviews that I have read over the years about Van not facing the audience - well on this DVD now you can see why! He is not just the singer songwriter musician - he facing his band members and conducting them with masterful strokes of his hand/arms - taking what has to be one of the greatest collection of jazz musicians i have ever seen in concert and directing them on this incredible journey!

WHAT A GIFT THIS MASTER OF MUSIC HAS!

Van - OK you got me! As you chant so elequently "I believe I HAVE transcended!"

THANK YOU!

A NEW VAN FAN!

I was introduced to Van through a co-worker who bought the Astral Weeks LIVE @ The HOLLYWOOD BOWL CD. He took me to the concert at The Orpheum in LA and i was floored by this artists talent. At my age [24] it is a rarity to find a legit artist nowadays with Reality "stars" and fabricated musical acts. Van is the real deal. Experience the real Van Morrison THE ARTIST with this DVD! I highly recommend it.

I can't possibly understand how can anyone calling themselves a Van Morrison fan can dislike this concert film. I've read all these reviews complaining about the editing, opening sequence in black and white(a two minute interview for Pete's sake!), the fact that is was recorded outdoors, etc...all rubbish!!! This is an excellent movie, makes you feel as if you're right on the stage among the musicians. Do not hesitate to buy it...amazing performance, beautiful film...Peace!

Pop quiz:

* What words complete the lyric, "Could you find me? Would you kiss my eyes? To lay me down in silence easy, to be ___ ___"?
* How old is the girl addressed in the song "Cyprus Avenue"?
* What does the singer of "Slim Slow Slider" know is happening to the subject of the song?

If you cannot answer at least two of those three questions, do not pass Go, do not collect $200, and do not buy this DVD... go directly to Astral Weeks (Van Morrison, CD) and become familiar with one of the greatest albums of all time.

This is a charming concert, but it is not essential, and it will not make sense if you don't already know the album from which it comes. Van and his musicians riff on the original, but you have to know the material on which they are riffing before it can speak to you.

That said, if you already know and love Van Morrison and Astral Weeks, you will love this concert. The Man is having a lot of fun with some really great songs, and it's a joy to watch him enjoying them.

Just got my copy of the DVD....Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl and it is far better than the CD.

Morrison seems to bring out the best or the worst in the reviewers.The music was recorded well or it wasn't. The videography was transparent or it was scintillating. Van was on his game or he wasn't. No middle ground!

As for me, I only expected to see him perform these great tunes from Astral Weeks and I wasn't disappointed at all. In short, he delivered the goods.

Van (being interviewed) is cordial with a thick Irish brogue that one never hears when he is singing. And what a voice....mellowed like fine brandy with an occasional "aargh" thrown in for good measure.

The band is superb especially the fellow on bari sax, flute and soprano sax who is able to match the mimicry of Van with his instrument on "Common One."

Morrison plays mouth harp, acoustic and electric guitar and piano with verve and a bluesy/jazzy feel. The violins are fantastic but it is the rock solid bass of David Hayes that is outstanding (both acoustic and electric bass)

In short, this is a terrific DVD showcasing the most talented performer we have left since the passing of Ray Charles. Van is indeed, the"man."

This is probably the most spectacular "come back" in my lifetime. Not that Van Morrison has actually "been away" anywhere. But over the last 20 years his output has not been as consistent as this stunningly beautiful performance. In my opinion, the original Astral Weeks recording is one of the great records of all time. Its cohesion, flawless musicianship, stunning vocals, and erotic poetry outstrips other contemporary luminaries. When you think of what was happening in 1968, that's saying something. I never expected to hear anything like that again. I wasn't even sure that Morrison, himself, could still deliver this kind of beauty. Perhaps I'd lost my faith. Well, this video has restored it in spades. The pleasure of hearing this in 5.1 Surround Sound was worth the wait. When I die, I hope whoever is around will care enough to put this video of live Astral Weeks on whatever they're showing video on at that point, so I can recall the pleasures of my life to its natural sound track as I seek my "home on high."

I absolutely love this DVD with one big exception. I was extemely disappointed that the entire concert was not on it. As much as I like Van's Astral Weeks material, I'm a huge fan of a lot of his other stuff. The bonus songs are wonderful and that's what makes me want to see the entire first half of the show which is missing on this DVD. I hope Van has a heart and eventually releases the rest. Video and audio quality on this disc, in my opinion, are first class.

Though it seems to be continually delayed when released it will be worth the wait. As a fan who was there for all of the Astral Weeks shows thus far, starting in November last year at the Bowl, continuing for 4 NYC shows and then this weekend at Royal Albert Hall --- Van is building upon this mesmerizing re-creation and I might also suggest you consider boarding the "train" in San Fran and Los Angeles where he will again present Astral Weeks Live -- May 2-9.
Michael Seltzer
Franklin MI USA

I don't know flip about cinematography, but I know what I like. This is the best music DVD I have ever seen. I have had the CD for awhile and found it Van's most overall satisfying in years. But the DVD adds so much and enhances the performances.
It moves quickly from scene to scene (unlike most music DVDs)yet still manages to showcase the individual musicians' highlights as well as Van the Man's. It accents his polished professionalism, adding a dramatic flare. To me it shows off his personality as well as his immense talent. It pulls off the difficult feat of combining precision with spontaneity. It's a pleasure to watch and listen to. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the CD.