Moondance is a folk-rock album by British singer/songwriter Van Morrison. The album was released in February of 1970 (see 1970 in music).

Morrison was never able to achieve widespread popularity, though he has accumulated quite a fan-base in his thirty-plus years of recording and performing, as well as a few recognizable classics, like "Brown-Eyed Girl". His earliest albums, like Astral Weeks and Moondance, are considered classics of late 1960s rock and folk fusion.

Moondance is a celebration of rural living, with tales of growing up innocent out in the country. The album-opener, "And It Stoned Me", sets the tone for the album with its nostalgic sadness at being removed from the country. Songs like "And It Stoned Me", "Caravan" and "Into the Mystic" are mixed with tender love songs like "Crazy Love" and "Moondance".

Moondance peaked at #29 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart, while the only single released from the album, "Come Running", peaked at #39 on the Pop Singles chart.

Track listing

  1. And It Stoned Me (Morrison) - 4:30
  2. Moondance (Morrison) - 4:35
  3. Crazy Love (Morrison) - 2:34
  4. Caravan (Morrison) - 4:57
  5. Into the Mystic (Morrison) - 3:25
  6. Come Running (Morrison) - 2:30
  7. These Dreams of You (Morrison) - 3:50
  8. Brand New Day (Morrison) - 5:09
  9. Everyone (Morrison) - 3:31
  10. Glad Tidings (Morrison) - 3:13

Personnel

  • Cissy Houston - Vocals
  • Judy Clay - Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)
  • John Klingberg - Bass
  • Jeff Labes - Organ, Percussion, Piano, Keyboards, Clavinet
  • Guy Masson - Conga
  • Tony May - Engineer
  • Van Morrison - Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm), Keyboards, Saxophone, Tabla, Tambourine, Vocals, Producer
  • John Platania - Guitar, Guitar (Rhythm)
  • Elliot Scheiner - Engineer
  • Jack Schroer - Piano, Saxophone, Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano)
  • Neil Schwartz - Engineer
  • David Shaw - Clarinet, Percussion
  • Collin Tilton - Flute, Sax (Tenor), Wind
  • Jackie Verdell - Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)
  • Shelly Yakus - Engineer
  • Gary Mallaber - Percussion, Drums, Vibraphone
  • Steve Friedberg - Engineer
  • Emily Houston - Vocals (bckgr)