Album of the Moment - 6:02 p.m., Thursday

Van Morrison - Astral Weeks

I was heading downtown to take advantage of free downtown parking Thursdays, and as I was driving, my car stereo was blasting the folk-rock classic Astral Weeks. Sunset was nearing and there was a cool gentle breeze. The man's music is considered ideal for embarking on a spiritual quest, curing late-night writer's block or babymaking. Maybe driving, but that's more of a personal preference.

When it was first released in the fall of 1968, the critics liked it and the public didn't get it. However, it lingered in the public's subconscious for 30-plus years and it finally achieved gold in 2001.

The soulful Irishman, known officially as George Ivan Morrison OBE, is still as prolific as ever, knocking out a new album every one to two years. Over the course of his career, his music has wandered all over the place, into garage rock, into R&B and occasionally the Celtic corner. Astral Weeks though is one of a kind.

The album is going to be revived next month, as Morrison plans to play it in full, from "Astral Weeks" to "Slim Slow Rider," at Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on two nights, according to Pitchfork Media.

My experience of Morrison had been summed up by the Moondance album and his Greatest Hits for quite some time. My friend recommended I give Astral Weeks a listen and I did, but it didn't stick. About a year later, I put it on again and it hasn't yet left the stereo.

The songs are devoid of clear-cut hooks, most tracks run long and are irresolute, but they pack a raw emotional sincerity rarely done this pristinely. The album is definitely free form, like a scat or poetic jam uninhibited by structure.

Astral Weeks is so personal and reflective like Van is encased in a bubble that is invisible to the outside world. It is more mature and introspective then the also-excellent Moondance, which bounces with popping stand-alone songs.

The sum is greater than its parts, whereas Moondance's parts are arguably greater than its sum. A song such as "Sweet Thing," the fastest and shiniest of the lot, is delicately beautiful.

Critical praise has placed it at the top of the Van Morrison concert repertoire and a comfortable seat at #19 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All-Time.

Van Morrison's Astral Weeks is an atmospheric, melodic treat and it's also a pleasant way to adjust yourself for the fall climate. There's something about this album that keeps people coming back after 30 years and wanting more. I suggest you find it out for yourself.

-- Mark