One of the most profound, innovative and moving records in the history of the rock tradition, Astral Weeks established Van Morrison as a young songwriter of nearly frightening depth and vision. The opening title track is a terrifically mysterious and compelling invitation into a world of wonder with stakes too high to take lightly: “If I ventured in the slip stream/ Between the viaducts of your dream/ Could you find me?” Indelibly great songs like “Sweet Thing” and “Madame George” follow, embodying characters and circumstances that feel at once intimately relatable and utterly mythic. Few records in the tradition offer an experience so gratifying, challenging and cathartic.