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Van Morrison Takes Astral Weeks Back To New York

January 7, 2009 10:58 AM

Photo: Getty

We told you this might happen, and we're so psyched that it's true.

Last November, Van Morrison performed Astral Weeks at the Hollywood Bowl for the first time ever. It broke our heart that we had to miss that gig.

Now Morrison has announced two gigs New York City in which he promises Astral Weeks in its entirety. Of course, Manhattan where he originally recorded his masterpiece more than forty years ago. Two shows have been booked at the Theater at Madison Square Garden for February 27th and 28th.

Also, on February 10th, Morrison will release Astral Weeks: Live at the Hollywood Bowl, which documents those amazing shows. A DVD will be released later this year.

Tracks include:

"Astral Weeks/I Believe I've Transcended"

"Beside You"

"Sweet Thing"

"Slim Slow Slider/I Start Breaking Down"

"The Way That Young Lovers Do"

"Ballerina"

"Cyprus Avenue/You Came Walking Down"

"Madame George"

"These Hollywood Bowl concerts gave me a welcome opportunity to perform these songs the way I originally intended them to be," says Van, who admits that only one rehearsal was held before the Bowl gigs. "There are certain dynamics you can get in live recordings that you just cannot get in a recording studio. I love listening to live recordings. You get the whole thing right there, unabridged, raw and in the moment. There was a distinct alchemy happening on that stage in Hollywood. I felt it."