Van Morrison Astral Weeks Vinyl LP 2009 Rhino 180g Kevin Gray KPG 8122-79907-1
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Description
VAN MORRISON - ASTRAL WEEKS
2009 European Rhino / Warner Bros. 180g Vinyl | Kevin Gray Cut | 8122-79907-1 | Original Back to Vinyl Reissue
A superb copy of Van Morrison's Astral Weeks, this is the desirable 2009 European 180g vinyl reissue issued through Rhino / Warner Bros.-Seven Arts as part of the Back to Vinyl series.
Catalogue number 8122-79907-1, with barcode 081227990718.
This is worth identifying properly because it is not the later 2015 repress that uses very similar artwork.
The barcode, sleeve details and dead wax on this copy identify it with the earlier 2009 European pressing, and the documented matrix configuration was cut by acclaimed mastering engineer Kevin Gray at AcousTech Mastering.
For anyone looking for a high-quality vinyl edition of Astral Weeks without moving into the considerably more expensive original 1960s pressings, this is a particularly attractive version.
THE 2009 BACK TO VINYL PRESSING
This European edition was released in 2009 on heavyweight 180g black vinyl.
It recreates much of the visual identity of the original Warner Bros.-Seven Arts release, including the distinctive green labels and classic sleeve artwork.
This copy carries:
Catalogue Number: 8122-79907-1
Rhino / Warner Bros.-Seven Arts
Barcode: 081227990718
180g heavyweight vinyl
Made in the E.U.
Original 2009 Back to Vinyl issue
Importantly, later European repressings exist using similar presentation.
The later 2015 version carries a different barcode, which makes the 081227990718 barcode on this copy a useful identifier for the earlier issue.
KEVIN GRAY MASTERING / DEAD WAX
The dead wax is one of the strongest collector details here.
The visible matrices are:
SIDE A
R1-1768A 1377-A
SIDE B
R1-1768B 1377-B
This matrix family matches the documented 2009 pressing.
The full documented runout for this release also includes KPG@ATM, identifying the lacquer cut by Kevin Gray at AcousTech Mastering.
Kevin Gray is one of the best-known mastering engineers in modern vinyl reissue work, making this more interesting than an anonymous catalogue repress.
The 2009 edition was also promoted as being mastered from the original analogue master tapes.
ASTRAL WEEKS
Originally released in 1968, Astral Weeks remains the album most closely associated with Van Morrison's move beyond conventional rock and pop songwriting.
The record combines folk, jazz, soul and acoustic instrumentation around Morrison's highly individual vocal performances.
Rather than using a conventional rock band, the sessions brought together an exceptional group of musicians including:
Richard Davis - Bass
Jay Berliner - Guitar
Connie Kay - Drums
John Payne - Flute / Soprano Saxophone
Warren Smith Jr. - Percussion / Vibraphone
The arrangements were handled by Larry Fallon, with production by Lewis Merenstein.
The result is a record that still sounds unlike almost anything else from the period.
TRACK LISTING
PART ONE: IN THE BEGINNING
Astral Weeks
Beside You
Sweet Thing
Cyprus Avenue
PART TWO: AFTERWARDS
The Way Young Lovers Do
Madame George
Ballerina
Slim Slow Slider
An extraordinary eight-song album, with Astral Weeks, Sweet Thing, Cyprus Avenue and Madame George among the obvious highlights.
DETAILS
Artist: Van Morrison
Title: Astral Weeks
Format: 12" Vinyl LP
Original Album Release: 1968
This Vinyl Edition: 2009
Label: Rhino / Warner Bros.-Seven Arts Records
Catalogue Number: 8122-79907-1
Rhino Matrix Family: R1-1768
Barcode: 081227990718
Vinyl: Black
Vinyl Weight: 180g
Speed: 33 RPM
Country: Europe
Manufactured: E.U.
Mastering: Kevin Gray / AcousTech Mastering, documented for this pressing
Side A Matrix: R1-1768A 1377-A
Side B Matrix: R1-1768B 1377-B
Genre: Folk Rock / Folk / Jazz / Soul
Number of Tracks: 8
CONDITION
This is a very clean and strongly presented copy.
The vinyl retains an excellent glossy appearance with only very light signs of previous handling visible.
The green Warner Bros.-Seven Arts labels remain clean and bright.
The sleeve also presents extremely well, with strong colour, crisp artwork and only minor signs of normal storage and handling around the extremities.
The record has been play-tested rather than assessed purely by eye.
Please study all photographs carefully as they show the exact vinyl, sleeve, labels and dead wax markings being sold and form an important part of the condition description.
WHY THIS COPY STANDS OUT
2009 European pressing
Earlier Back to Vinyl issue, not the later 2015 repress
Barcode 081227990718
180g heavyweight vinyl
Kevin Gray lacquer cut
AcousTech Mastering connection
R1-1768A / R1-1768B matrices
Original analogue-master-tape reissue programme
Classic Warner Bros.-Seven Arts green labels
Made in the E.U.
Strong vinyl condition
Excellent sleeve presentation
Play-tested copy
One of Van Morrison's defining albums
There are plenty of copies of Astral Weeks on vinyl, but they are not all the same pressing.
This one has a particularly useful combination of collector details: the 2009 barcode, early Back to Vinyl issue, 180g pressing and Kevin Gray mastering lineage.
That gives it considerably more appeal than simply describing it as another modern Astral Weeks reissue.
For a Van Morrison collector, Kevin Gray mastering collector or anyone looking for a quality heavyweight edition of Astral Weeks without paying vintage original-pressing prices, this is a cracking copy.
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