Van Morrison - Moondance

The yang to Astral Weeks' yin, the brilliant Moondance is every bit as much a classic as its predecessor; Van Morrison's first commercially successful solo effort, it retains the previous album's deeply spiritual thrust but transcends its bleak, cathartic intensity to instead explore themes of renewal and redemption. Light, soulful, and jazzy, Moondance opens with the sweetly nostalgic "And It Stoned Me," the song's pastoral imagery establishing the dominant lyrical motif recurring throughout the album -- virtually every track exults in natural wonder, whether it's the nocturnal magic celebrated by the title cut or the unlimited promise offered in "Brand New Day." At the heart of the record is "Caravan," an incantatory ode to the power of radio; equally stirring is the majestic "Into the Mystic," a song of such elemental beauty and grace as to stand as arguably the quintessential Morrison moment. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

Name Credits Cissy Houston Vocals Collin Tilton Wind, Sax (Tenor), Flute David Shaw Clarinet, Percussion Elliot Scheiner Engineer Emily Houston Vocals (Background) Gary Mallaber Vibraphone, Drums, Percussion Guy Masson Conga Jack Schroer Piano, Saxophone, Sax (Soprano), Sax (Alto) Jackie Verdell Vocals, Vocals (Background) Jeff Labes Clavinet, Organ, Keyboards, Piano, Percussion John Klingberg Bass John Platania Guitar (Rhythm), Guitar Judy Clay Vocals (Background), Vocals Neil Schwartz Engineer Shelly Yakus Engineer Steve Friedberg Engineer Tony May Engineer Van Morrison Vocals, Saxophone, Tambourine, Producer, Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm), Keyboards, Tabla