Is Veedon Fleece a good place to start with Van Morrison?

Yes, Veedon Fleece is recommended as a starting point for new Van Morrison listeners. A soulful exploration of introspective lyrics wrapped in lush, jazzy arrangements and Celtic influences. Released on October 1, 1974, Veedon Fleece came after Morrison's celebrated album, Astral Weeks, marking a continued exploration of personal and spiritual themes. By this time, he had established himself as a significant figure in the music scene, following the commercial success of his earlier works while navigating personal challenges.

Who is Veedon Fleece for?

Veedon Fleece works well if you're into long, immersive listening sessions, poetic introspection and reflection and gradual builds and payoffs.

How many songs are on Veedon Fleece?

Veedon Fleece has 10 tracks, running approximately 47 minutes.

Released 52 years ago this October

Veedon Fleece

Van Morrison · 1974

47 min · 10 tracks · jazz fusion

A soulful exploration of introspective lyrics wrapped in lush, jazzy arrangements and Celtic influences.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Fair Play Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Streets of Arklow — This track features a haunting melody paired with evocative lyrics that reflect Morrison's deep connection to place and memory, embodying the album's reflective mood.
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You Don’t Pull No Punches, but You Don’t Push the River — The lengthy exploration in this track showcases Morrison's signature blend of jazz and folk elements, highlighting his lyrical storytelling prowess.
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Linden Arden Stole the Highlights — This song stands out for its narrative quality and vivid imagery, encapsulating the album’s theme of loss and nostalgia through its multifaceted arrangement.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate compositions and blending of styles create a distinctive listening experience.

What we noticed

The album features extended instrumental sections, particularly in tracks like 'Streets of Arklow' and 'Cul de Sac', allowing for improvisation and exploration.
Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies that blend with the instrumentation, creating a rich sonic texture.
The use of Celtic motifs is prominent, especially in the melodies and arrangements, which adds a unique flavor to the jazz fusion style.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

long, immersive listening sessions
poetic introspection and reflection
gradual builds and payoffs
layered, dense sonic textures

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Represents an artistic high point, showcasing lyrical depth and complex arrangements.
Themes: Celtic nostalgia· poetic longing
Career context: Released on October 1, 1974, Veedon Fleece came after Morrison's celebrated album, Astral Weeks, marking a continued exploration of personal and spiritual themes. By this time, he had established himself as a significant figure in the music scene, following the commercial success of his earlier works while navigating personal challenges.
Stylistic neighbors: Leonard Cohen· Bob Dylan· John Hiatt