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Saturday, February 18, 2023

Van Morrison & Dr. John (with Mick Ronson) :: LIVE in Vara Studios Hilversum NL 1977 | VOODOO WAGON

 Van The Man & Dr John!

Yes Really!

Did I know they ever even played together let alone did concerts? Well yes it seems I did ( previously available as The Wonderland Tapes and I got it back in 2019 from Big O but this is superior recording and radio broadcast quality re-master I reckons) Yes this seems to be the studio (Vara) rehearsal set prior to a gig (sic) filmed for a TV show in Holland* This is great quality and really worth a cheerful listen on a Saturday. Here with Mick Ronson on back up guitar!?!Mo Foster on Bas and Peter Van Hooke on drums

Both men on fine form here and Van especially is cooking! (Here in his prime. . . prior to bat guano crazy Conspiracy Theorist throw it all away merchants backing Clapton! You know the guy who funds anti-vaxxers projects AFTER taking his shots!?!! Hypocrisy much?)

Big O listed it when Mac died and here are their notes (cover below)

Original notes:

For years the best known set of Van’s brief collaboration with Dr John in 1977 has widely circulated only in incomplete form and mediocre sound on a bootleg known as Amsterdam’s Tapes. Now, thanks to the persistence, dedication and collaboration of VLS (vanlose stairway) members and friends, this rare show has finally been assembled from the best sources available to us, complete as broadcast on Dutch FM radio. After 20+ years, we are sure fans will agree that it is about time! Better yet, we have also unearthed the “raw audio source” of that set, taken from the live performance for a TV program called “Wonderland” in Vara Studios, Hilversum, Netherlands. This audio has never before been circulated, and although available only in mono, it will surely delight the attentive listener. - A Vanlose Stairway Production 


Dr John & Van Morrison Hilversum Netherlands 1977 - VOODOO WAGON


Royal Theatre Carré in Amsterdam, Netherlands on June 22, 1977.


 Van Morrison & Dr. John (with Mick Ronson)

Vara Studios
Hilversum NL
1977-06-22
FM Broadcast (Tracks 1-15) @320
Mono Television Soundboard (Tracks 16-29) @320


01. Hallelujah, I Love Her So
02. Nobody’s Fault But Mine
03. Fever
04. Foggy Mountain Top
05. I’ll Go Crazy
06. Baby, Please Don’t Go
07. Santa Rosalia
08. Announcer
09. Joyous Sound
10. You Gotta Make It Through The World
11. I Just Wanna Make Love To You
12. Shakin’ All Over
13. The Eternal Kansas City
14. Announcer
15. Cold Wind In August
16. Santa Rosalia
17. Cold Wind In August
18. Joyous Sound
19. You Gotta Make It Through The World
20. I Just Wanna Make Love To You
21. Shakin’ All Over
22. The Eternal Kansas City
23. Cold Wind In August
24. Hallelujah, I Love Her So
25. Nobody’s Fault But Mine
26. Fever
27. Foggy Mountain Top
28. I’ll Go Crazy
29. Baby, Please Don’t Go

45.35 minutes 

Van Morrison - Piano, Harmonica, Vocals
Dr. John - Piano, Organ, Vocals
Mick Ronson - Guitar, Vocals
Mo Foster - Bass
Peter van Hooke - Drums

Thanks Jeremiah (he was a Bullfrog you know!)


If You Leave Me (I'll Go Crazy)
Baby Please Don't Go

Alternative covers:







It was of course available as a DVD and Big O posted it way back in 2019 but none the worst for re-posting as its superb!


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