I still remember it. I was driving somewhere in Orlando, late one evening, when the DJ of the local jazz radio station started to play Live at the Grand Opera House in its entirety. When I arrived at my destination I sat in my car, transfixed, and didn't even turn off the engine until I had listened to the very last note of the concert. I had never heard anything like it! The next morning I went out and bought the album and it has remained one of my favorite works of art to this day.

This CD is a work of art, by a man who is one of the most influential and prolific songwriters of all time. I also happen to think that this CD showcases Van at the zenith of his brilliant career. The Belfast show can be appreciated on so many different levels. The lyrics themselves are a religious experience.

But even if Van Morrison wasn't such an incredible poet/songwriter he would still be producing some of the most entertaining music ever created, simply because he continuously surrounds himself with the most talented musicians and back-up singers available. This CD is a shining testiment to that. The flow of the concert is remarkable, the musicians are all spot on throughout and the back-up singers all have voices that most front men would kill for. This is as close to perfection as I've ever heard.

He changes up some favorites and blows the doors off some others. Van plays sax like he sings--all growls and mumbles and suddenly soaring highs. And the words "wee wee wee" have never held so much soul. Pee Wee Ellis and Mark Isham make Van's most eclectic and versatile horn section ever and the rest of band is tight. Good recording quality. Great remastering. Highly recommended.

This is often described as the least strong live albums in Van The Man's catalogue, but it very well may be the very best. Its tremendous strength lies in the chorus, the soloists, the set, and Van's emotion shining through. Each nuance and sense of musical dynamics is as strong and precise as on any studio album. The album is worth 5-stars alone for the incredible performance of "Rave On John Donne". It is a great example and landmark depicting Van's style at this point in his career bringing sometimes-sleepy, stuidio songs to a new level.

I am amazed that the reviews for this album are so low! Perhaps they are not ready for this album yet, that is what happened to me.

I listened to this a couple of times 10,15 years ago and forgot about it. Recently, I found it in the back of a trunk and decided to listen to it again. It blew my mind. For me, Van is at his best live and Pee Wee Ellis is top notch on this album.

This album blows away all of the studio recordings of these songs which in comparison sound stiffled and artificial now that I have heard the real deal. If you like the track list, I don't know how you wouldn't like this album; this spiritual journey. Rave On, Van!

The titles says it all, almost. The material on this CD is my personal favorite: "Beautiful Vision" (his masterpiece) and the "Into the Music" time period are well represented. However, the tempos almost all sound rushed (I feel like getting a pitch adjuster and slowing down the songs a half step), except some of the slower pieces still sound very good ("She Gives Me Religion", "Haunts of Ancient Peace", are standouts). All in all a good Van CD, which is better than most musicians best efforts. If the tempos were more relaxed, it would rank among his greatest work. As it is, it is the only other place I can get more of the wonderful "Beatiful Vision" material, which is by far my favorite Van music. 4 stars, I am usually a tough grader, and Van Morrison is way beyond what the average musician produces, yet the rushed sound of the performance and the lack of any real musical "stretching out" prevent this from ranking as an all-time classic recording.