Most achingly-beautiful music

"Motherless Child".

I'm thinking of the Van Morrison version in particular.

Or is "gut wrenching" a better term?

1. "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." Roberta Flack version 1969. Written in 1957 by Ewan MacColl for his wife.

2. "Forever Autumn" from Jeff Wayne's 1978 album "War of The Worlds"; sung by Justin Hayward (Moody Blues).

3. "I'm Goin' Back To Harlan" Emmy Lou Harris from "Wrecking Ball" album 1995.

4. "Its Only Make Believe" Conway Twitty 1958.

5. "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" Simon and Garfunkle 1966. SF is a tradional English ballad. The counterpoint "Canticle" was written by Simon and Garfunkle later altered lyrics to include anti-Viet Nam War stuff.

I keep on promoting this Øystein Sevåg:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTeWo83I-_A&feature=related

Several years back on this thread, someone mentioned "Terrapin Station" by the Grateful Dead.

I happened to be re-visting this work for the first time in a while. It had caught my attention years ago and I hear why. It is a most interesting piece. Lots of progressive rock and classical elements (the Dead really did that?) with quite poetic lyrics. Very unique + very enjoyable. Achingly beautiful? Well, yes I suppose so in the Dead's typical low key manner though.....

Allegri's Miserere performed by The Tallis Scholars (listening to it as I write this) certainly fits the bill. 'The Great Bear and Pleides' from Britten's Peter Grimes (and much more from that work too). 'Marche Funebre' from Beethoven's 3rd. John Dowland's 'In Darkness let me Dwelle'.

For me 'achingly beautiful' describes classical, choral and opera, but in a different way, Van Morrison's Astral Weeks, Tom Wait's 'Alice' and some Joni Mitchell stuff (try 'A Case of You' from her album 'Blue').