The Skiffle Sessions cover
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The Skiffle Sessions
(bootleg CD)

Doberman 177
(Released January 1999)

  1. Linin' Track (lead vocal by Lonnie Donegan) (1:20)
  2. New Burying Ground (lead vocal by Lonnie Donegan) (2:11)
  3. It Takes A Worried Man (lead vocal by Lonnie Donegan) (5:00)
  4. Lost John (3:31)
  5. Going Home (with Dr John) (3:09)
  6. Good Morning Blues (with Dr John) (2:52)
  7. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town (4:18)
  8. Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O (2:16)
  9. Sloop John B (2:16)
  10. Midnight Special (3:31)
  11. Dead Or Alive (3:01)
  12. Frankie And Johnny (4:22)
  13. Goodnight Irene (2:46)
  14. Railroad Bill (1:58)
  15. Gamblin' Man (2:57)
  16. Muleskinner Blues (3:09)
  17. Jesse James (3:09)
  18. Alabamy Bound (3:08)
    Total time: (55:37)


Recording information:
Tracks 1-15 Recorded at The Whitla Hall in Belfast on November 20, 1998.
Tracks 16-18 Recorded at The Whitla Hall in Belfast on November 21, 1998.

Liner notes:
The performances featured on this release were recorded over two very special nights in Van's home town of Belfast. The two concerts were part of a month long arts festival in Belfast, and this set focuses on Van's joint performances with Lonnie Donegan and Chris Barber that began each of the shows. It is rare to hear Van so relaxed on stage and many of these songs, all of which are covers, have very rarely, if ever, been performed on stage before.

Van also performed sets with his normal band, and those equally amazing performances are documented on another release: How Long Is A Piece Of String? (Doberman 177/178/179). Listen and enjoy!

Musician credits:
Van Morrison: vocals, acoustic guitar
Chris Barber: Vocals, double bass, trombone
Lonnie Donegan: vocals, acoustic guitar
Nick Payne: tenor saxophone, harmonica, percussion, vocals
Nicky Scott: bass
Big Jim Sullivan: acoustic guitar
Alan 'Sticky' Wickett: percussion
unknown: acoustic guitar
unknown: drums
Dr. John: guest piano on tracks 5 and 6

  • Notes & review from Niall Connors:
    A CD from Doberman Records that contains all the different songs performed with Lonnie Donegan and Chris Barber in Belfast on November 20 and 21, 1998. Taken from GREAT digital audience recordings, and some excellent performances of some interesting material.

    CD "cover" reads: The Skiffle Sessions VAN MORRISON with LONNIE DONEGAN and CHRIS BARBER. It features two photos (both apparently from the photos that populated the Van List back in November). One is Van holding the microphone stand (a la "Burning Ground") with the drum-set, especially the cymbal, in the background. The other photo is of Van and Lonnie side-by-side each wielding acoustic guitars. Back cover features photos (again from the Van List) of Matt Holland, PWE and, I think, John Savannah.

    Were I not in possession of a solid-quality tape of the Skiffle Shows, I suppose I would be absolutely ecstatic that the postman -- on a wretched New England day, truly wrought with rain, sleet and snow -- should chose today to deliver this long-awaited boot. Nevertheless, I am very pleased: the boot packaging is first-rate and the sound quality is excellent. The sound separation is solid and the acoustic feel of the set is crisp, even at higher sound volumes. Two solid thumbs-up from this humble reviewer!

  • See Van's new commercial release The Skiffle Sessions - Live in Belfast from these same sessions. Also the How Long Is A Piece Of String? boot.

  • See the Glossary entry for skiffle for more information on Lonnie Donegan and skiffle music.

    Part of the van-the-man.info unofficial website