There was not a foot (note) put wrong, with Cang and Gure combining perfectly on opening tracks Astral Weeks and Beside You. Oh and of course Robinson quietly co-ordinating everything on vibraphone. They were supported in swashbuckling style by Justina Curtis (piano and electric piano), Mo Nazam (acoustic guitar), Tony Remy (guitar), Rowland Sutherland on flute, Dudley Philips (bass), Kate Shortt on cello and a joyous Katie Patterson on drums. Singers Joe Cang, Sahra Gure, Zara McFarlane and Sarah Jane Morris flitted on and off stage as required, all imposing their own personal interpretations on Morrison’s work. An interpretation founded on a mix of soul, blues and jazz. As potent today as they were back in 1968.Īs part of the London Jazz Festival, multi-instrumentalist Orphy Robinson brought together an eclectic band of musicians to play Astra Weeks from start to finish. Its eight tracks, from the magnificent opening ( Astral Weeks) through to the rather sombre finale ( Slim Slow Rider), are works of beautifully crafted art. Over the years the record – a blend of blues, folk, jazz and rock – has acquired cult status and rightly so. He was a sprightly 22 at the time and has since described it as a song-cycle of ‘poetry and mythical musings channelled from my imagination’.
HALF a century has rolled by since Van Morrison recorded his second album Astral Weeks.
