Astral Weeks Live At The Hollywood Bowl
by Van Morrison
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11

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  1. TomD
    Apr 9, 2009
    10
    I don't know what album the reviewers from NOW or Pitchfork were listening to, but it couldn't have been this. An engaging and hypnotic re-creation of a classic that has moments that can literally take your breath away. Sure, it's not the original, but this music is timeless; living, breathing and captivating after 40 years. Absolutely stunning and highly recommended.
  2. SusanC
    Mar 3, 2009
    10
    He is the best! He has more talent in his pinky them most new entertainers today.
  3. TonyO
    Apr 30, 2009
    8
    Pretty good. Could easily have been a half-hearted cash-in, but it isn't. Whatever the indefinable quality was that made Astral Weeks so special in the first place has not been lost - though to be fair this album is a little bit patchy, like most Van live shows. The extra tracks at the end actually help the mood, which was a surprise. And if you liked Live in San Francisco, then this Pretty good. Could easily have been a half-hearted cash-in, but it isn't. Whatever the indefinable quality was that made Astral Weeks so special in the first place has not been lost - though to be fair this album is a little bit patchy, like most Van live shows. The extra tracks at the end actually help the mood, which was a surprise. And if you liked Live in San Francisco, then this is definitely for you. It has many of the same strengths. Yet another gripping version of Madame George, as well. Van fans, just go and buy it.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Astral Weeks: Live at the Hollywood Bowl is not Astral Weeks, but it's brilliant and emotionally intense; it's honest and spiritually revealing.
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  2. Billboard
    80
    Although much of the album is about saying goodbye to the past, Morrison uses the performance to breathe new life into the songs with a band that can follow anywhere he leads--jazz, folk or soul.
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  3. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    All this deceptively timeless fluidity induces a wonderful mystic fog that might make you forget whether you're honoring a 40th, 5th, or 100th anniversary.
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