Music discovery · Influence explorer

Artists like Astral Weeks — and the music that made them

Folk Rock · 1964–present

Van Morrison's mystical masterpiece of jazz-folk transcendence

Astral Weeks is Van Morrison's 1968 album recorded with jazz musicians in just two sessions, creating an otherworldly blend of folk, jazz, and Celtic mysticism. It's widely regarded as one of the greatest albums ever made, showcasing Morrison's stream-of-consciousness vocals over hypnotic, impressionistic arrangements.

Essential tracks

►Astral Weeks

►Madame George

►The Way Young Lovers Do

Did you know

The entire album was recorded in just two sessions with musicians Morrison had never met before

Morrison was only 23 when he created this widely-acclaimed masterpiece

The album initially sold poorly but is now considered one of the greatest albums of all time

“Stream-of-consciousness vocals floating over jazz-inflected Celtic mysticism.”

generations
of influence

If you like Astral Weeks, try these

Tim Buckley

Shares the same mystical vocal delivery and jazz-folk experimentation.

1960s · Psychedelic Folk

Nick Drake

Creates similarly intimate, melancholic soundscapes with poetic vulnerability.

1970s · Folk

The Waterboys

Combines Celtic spirituality with expansive, literary rock arrangements.

1980s · Celtic Rock

Jeff Mangum

Employs stream-of-consciousness vocals over dreamy, unconventional folk arrangements.

1990s · Indie Folk

Devendra Banhart

Shares the mystical, hypnotic vocal style and pastoral psychedelic sensibilities.

2000s · Freak Folk

Phosphorescent

Creates similar meditative, country-tinged atmospheres with introspective lyrics.

2000s · Indie Folk

But where did the sound actually come from?

Influence tree

Trace Astral Weeks's roots back through history

Every sound has a source. Click any node to hear the connection.

Van Morrison

1964–present

Bob Dylan

1961–present

cited

John Coltrane

1955–1967

cited

Ray Charles

1949–2004

cited

Celtic Traditional Music

Traditional

sonic

Lead Belly

1930s–1949

sonic

Blind Willie Johnson

1927–1930

sonic

↑ Click any influence node to see the connection and where to start listening.

What makes the sound

Sonic elements

Stream-of-consciousness vocal delivery

Jazz-influenced chord progressions

Celtic folk instrumentation

Impressionistic, mystical lyrics

Start with these tracks

Astral Weeks

Into the Mystic

Sweet Thing

The Way Young Lovers Do

About this page

Music like Astral Weeks — Astral Weeks is Van Morrison's 1968 album recorded with jazz musicians in just two sessions, creating an otherworldly blend of folk, jazz, and Celtic mysticism. It's widely regarded as one of the greatest albums ever made, showcasing Morrison's stream-of-consciousness vocals over hypnotic, impressionistic arrangements.

Artists like Astral Weeks today include Tim Buckley, Nick Drake, The Waterboys, Jeff Mangum.