Moondance

Moondance is a folk-rock album by British singer/songwriter Van Morrison. The album was released in February of 1970 (see 1970 in music).

Morrison was never able to achieve widespread popularity, though he has accumulated quite a fan-base in his thirty-plus years of recording and performing, as well as a few recognizable classics, like "Brown-Eyed Girl". His earliest albums, like Astral Weeks and Moondance, are considered classics of late 1960s rock and folk fusion.

Moondance is a celebration of rural living, with tales of growing up innocent out in the country. The album-opener, "And It Stoned Me", sets the tone for the album with its nostalgic sadness at being removed from the country. Songs like "And It Stoned Me", "Caravan" and "Into the Mystic" are mixed with tender love songs like "Crazy Love" and "Moondance".

Moondance peaked at #29 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart, while the only single released from the album, "Come Running", peaked at #39 on the Pop Singles chart.

Track listing

And It Stoned Me (Morrison) - 4:30
Moondance (Morrison) - 4:35
Crazy Love (Morrison) - 2:34
Caravan (Morrison) - 4:57
Into the Mystic (Morrison) - 3:25
Come Running (Morrison) - 2:30
These Dreams of You (Morrison) - 3:50
Brand New Day (Morrison) - 5:09
Everyone (Morrison) - 3:31
Glad Tidings (Morrison) - 3:13

Personnel

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