I’m not going to lie, I haven’t yet finished “Astral Weeks: A Secret History of 1968.” Even so, only 50 pages in, it’s one of those books you can’t wait to jump back into when you have a break from the daily grind.
This book tells the story of the creation of “Astral Weeks” by Van Morrison, one of my favorite albums. More than that, however, it describes the kooky Boston scene of the late ’60s, where experimental musicians and personalities rubbed elbows with conservative politicians and low-level mobsters. Walsh is a musician himself, and the writing is insightful, his access to his subjects maybe heightened by this “in.” While well researched, “Astral Weeks” is never dry, and often fairly gossipy. I don’t mind.
For anyone interested in the history of music and rock and roll, Van Morrison, and/or select corners of Boston in the ’60s and ’70s.
