The first thing you’ll notice is the air . The CD version (even the 2008 remaster) can sound slightly congested in the midrange. Not here. Jack Schroer’s soprano saxophone on “Moondance” floats in a realistic soundstage, with palpable reed texture. The brushed snare drum on “Crazy Love” has a delicate, whispery presence that feels like you’re sitting two feet from the kit.
First, a distinction must be made. The standard Moondance CD sounds fine. The 2008 Rhino remaster is respectable. But the was part of a deluxe campaign that included a 3-CD set and a vinyl box. The digital high-resolution release was the sleeper hit.
For collectors, this is the definitive edition. However, the real story here is the . Van Morrison - Moondance -2013 Expanded- -FLAC- 88
However, the 2013 release is perhaps most famous—or infamous—for its remastering choices. The project was helmed by award-winning engineer Elliot Scheiner, who returned to the original multi-track tapes. Scheiner attempted to modernize the sound, bringing out details that were previously buried in the mix. In many ways, he succeeded. The separation between instruments is startling; you can hear the breath in the saxophone and the wood of the acoustic guitar.
Let’s state the obvious: Moondance is not just a great Van Morrison album; it’s a cornerstone of 20th-century popular music. Following the raw, confessional intensity of Astral Weeks , Moondance saw Morrison pivot toward a warmer, more rhythmically tight, and joyfully accessible sound. Blending folk, jazz, R&B, and a touch of Celtic soul, this record is autumnal perfection. From the swinging title track to the celebratory “Caravan” and the wistful “Crazy Love,” every song feels alive, breathing with a spontaneity that studio recordings rarely achieve. It’s an album that begs to be played loud, late at night, with a good glass of whiskey in hand. The first thing you’ll notice is the air
Listen louder. Listen clearer. Moondance awaits.
In standard resolution, the organ and piano can blur together. In 88.2kHz FLAC, the separation is surgical yet musical. You can follow the left-hand piano chords independently from the right-hand melody. The standard Moondance CD sounds fine
Van Morrison fans, classic rock collectors, jazz-folk enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to hear what 1970 sounds like in high definition.
By downloading the version, you are getting a bit-perfect, lossless container (FLAC) that reproduces frequencies up to 44kHz (far beyond human hearing) but, more importantly, captures the transient response—the attack of the piano, the brush on the snare, the air in the saxophone—with terrifying accuracy.
The original recording, engineered by Elliot Scheiner and others, was renowned for its warm, organic sound. The upright bass of John Klingberg, the distinct snap of the drums, and the lush horn arrangements created a "studio as instrument" aesthetic. For decades, the standard CD release was considered adequate, but it lacked the air and presence of the original vinyl pressings. This left a gap in the market for a definitive high-fidelity digital release.