obsessed with how much musical or verbal information he can compress into a small space, and, almost, conversely, how far he can spread one note, word, sound, or picture. To capture one moment, be it a caress or a twitch. He repeats certain phrases to extremes that from anybody else would seem ridiculous, because he’s waiting for a vision to unfold, trying as unobtrusively as possible to nudge it along…It’s the great search, fueled by the belief that through these musical and mental processes illumination is attainable. Or may at least be glimpsed.”
Lester Bangs
Critic Greil Marcus argues that given the truly distinctive breadth and complexity of Morrison’s work, it is almost impossible to cast his work among that of others: “Morrison remains a singer who can be compared to no other in the history of rock & roll, a singer who cannot be pinned down, dismissed, or fitted into anyone’s expectations.” Or in the words of Jay Cocks: “He extends himself only to express himself. Alone among rock’s great figuresnd even in that company he is one of the greatestorrison is adamantly inward. And unique. Although he freely crosses musical boundaries. and B., Celtic melodies, jazz, rave-up rock, hymns, down-and-dirty bluese can unfailingly be found in the same strange place: on his own wavelength.” His transcendental signature style came into full expression with his 1968 classic, Astral Weeks. This musical art form was based on stream of consciousness songwriting and emotional vocalizing of lyrics that have no basis in normal structure or symmetry. His live performances are dependent on building dynamics with spontaniety between himself and his band, whom he controls with hand gestures throughout, sometimes signaling impromptu solos from a selected band
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