His Band and the Street Choir

When I first purchased my Vinyl copy many moons ago (back in the 70's) the record store owner leaned over the counter & said quietly in my ear "12 good songs - and every one a gem." I smiled politely but the words stuck firmly in my brain. Much later of course I bought a CD copy & now as a celebration we have this New Expanded & Remastered edition. The remastering is excellent - in fact it transports me back through the years & it was almost like hearing it again for the first time but clearer & more intimate. The bonus this time is the five extra tracks all of which are very good & add depth to the overall presence of these recordings. This whole era of Van Morrison was quite something with the mystical & magnificent Astral Weeks & of course Moondance which the Man himself once described as a "Classic". Be that as it may but for me (after all this time) this album "His Band & The Street Choir" is a Stand Out & even better now for the remastering & the extras.

A lot has already been said about Van's albums. I am not here to blaze any new ground. Just want to share my thoughts briefly. This album is very good. Really good. Everyone knows how good Moondance, Astral Weeks and St. Dominic's Preview are. They are all awesome in their own way. So is This album, and yet, it is always considered a tier below the aformentioned LPs. I disagree. Sure, al lot of it is derivative and even playful fun that managed to hit a commercial vein. But is is really good, nonetheless. And a ton of fun. And it is Van. The numbers that are more personal and uniquely Van are easily equal to the best songs on the other albums. I am talking about Funny Face and Street Choir and I'll Be Your Lover, Too. Add a few others if you like.

These reviews are always messy because the people that write them tend to be either extremely for or against whatever it is they are reviewing. I will do nothing to combat this. This album's five star rating is justified. Great opening track with "Domino," but it's not the best. "Virgo Clowns" is hauntingly beautiful (pardon the cliche), especially when Dahaud Elias Shaar comes in on his bass clarinet. The next track, "Gypsy Queen," is another R&B winner all the way. I read the _Rolling Stone's_ review of this album, and it was accused of being _too_ perfect--too much goodness on one album, like _Moondance_. That's a good point. Anything else I say would just be repeating everyone else, so just read some reviews, listen to the samples, and make your own decision. Chances are you're predisposed to like Van Morrison if you're already here anyway, which further suggests that you're likely to buy the album, or at least have a struggle of whether or not to pay 13 bucks for it. I'd advise you to take the plunge, but it's up to you.

It's odd how direct and accessible this album is, coming so soon after the sublimely ephemeral "Astral Weeks." Hard to believe the same person made them both and yet if you don't listen directly at "His Band and Street Choir", you can detect faint lingering "Astral" strains. Or maybe I'm just still so deeply lovesick over "Astral Weeks" that EVERYTHING reminds me of it. I really should do some mind and soul cleansing, like burn a copy of "Astral Weeks" as an effigy. Maybe then I'd be able to fully enjoy the more humble, earnestly sweet sounds on this one. It's certainly got fabulously joyful R&B and Soul down pat, with "Domino", "I've Been Working", and "Sweet Jannie." And it manages deeply tender, elegant moments with "Crazy Face", "I'll Be Your Lover, Too", "Gypsy Queen", and "If I Ever Needed Someone." I suppose what I'm saying, "Street Choir", is it's not you, it's me. You're a really great album. Really, you are. I guess I just need more time to heal, to get over my first love. Yes, I know, there was "Moondance" last year, but that was just foolish of me, emotionally reckless. I was devastated and lost, and found comfort in "Moon's" warm, swinging ways. I was seduced by the gentle spiritual charms of her "Into The Mystic." It reminded me so of "Astral." And now, it seems, I'm still too weak. Dammit, I'm not over "her". But, I know, in time, with the help of God and pharmaceutical science, one day I'll be able to listen again. So don't think you are not terrific. Oh no, "His Band and Street Choir" you ARE terrific. You've even made me smile like a fool with your "Virgo Clowns", so lovely and kind. It's just not meant to be, yet, here, now, so soon. I'm sure in time, maybe three or four more decades I'll be over Astral and strong enough to listen again with my whole heart. So this isn't goodbye, dear "Band and Street Choir", it's au revoir, ma cherie...

This review is for the 2008 Japanese remastered version of "His Band & Street Choir". First of all, this album is phenomenally excellent. I won't go into more detail, since everybody else has already done that. What I want to say is that if you love this album, or Van Morrison, then spend the extra money and purchase the 2008 Japanese remaster. It's like a thick coat of varnish has been removed from this recording. All the instruments, and Van's voice, are exceptionally crisp and clear. I can also hear instruments that I simply did not even hear before (on the old CD version)! It sounds just like Van & Band are playing live in my living room!

Everything was good. Thank you.

Products were exactly as described. Shipped very fast. Securely packaged. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

AAA+++!!!

"His band and the street.." non viene mai incensato troppo. Forse perche viene dopo i 2 capolavori assoluti del nostro, quei "Astral week" e "Moondance" che lo hanno catapultato tra i giganti della canzone d'autore. Eppure io lo trovo degnissimo di stare al pari dei suoi predecessori. E un album vitale, allegro, in cui viena allo scoperto l'amore di Morrison per il soul e per il r'n'b. "Domino", "Blue money", "Gypsy queen" sono testimonianza dell'ottimo stato di Morrison. Da avere.

I admit I love Van Morrison despite his strong efforts over the years to present an image of a grumpy young then old man. On a damp morning this summer I pulled out this CD for a play and I just want anyone to know that if they do not have it in their collection they have a great joy sized melodic hole because it is simply wonderful. Van has made many many good and great albums and this one is to my mind in the latter category.

Dar la opinion sobre "la música" es un poco tonto, te lo puedes bajar de cualquier sitio y oirlo. Así que comentaré la edición en vinilo. Es una maravilla. La portada es de un cartón grueso rígido y con una textura muy agradable. El vinilo parece de 380gr en lugar de los teóricos 180. Suena de cine y no tiene ni un solo ruido de superficie en ambas caras. Resumiendo, muy bueno. Aunque ha subido de precio, ojalá todas las ediciones fueran como esta,

This is a must for all albums collectors along with Astral Weeks and Moondance

Bra musik som jag missade helt på 70 talet