It’s a travesty that I had to shell out $24 for a remastered version of Van Morrison’s original album. The remastered version is only available in JAPAN so it has to be IMPORTED! The version available in the U.S. sounds like it was recorded in 1968. The remastered version is superior sonically. It’s worth the extra bucks, but Warner Brothers is ripping off consumers. Other remastered versions of early Van Morrison albums are available in the U.S. and are selling at regular prices–but not Astral Weeks. Astral Weeks always was an odd album, a rock-and-jazz fusion. It was not a big hit when it was first released, but it always had a cult following. Then in 2008, Van Morrison announced he was going on tour performing Astral Weeks. Many critics, including myself, thought this might be a disaster. An aging rock legend performing one of his most difficult works live…this had train-wreck written all over it. But, amazingly, Van Morrison sounds great on Astral Weeks LIVE at the Hollywood Bowl. Morrison has added more instrumentation for this live version. The audience applauds at the end of songs, but is quiet for the most part. If you’re a Van Morrison fan, you must buy the LIVE and remastered versions of Astral Weeks. There’s some great listening here.