"I wanna rock your gypsy soul / just like way back in the days of old." This version is rougher but freer (much) than the original recorded version.
This is one of those long and winding jams with Van "free-singing" on literary themes, repeating phrases like musical riffs. This kind of thing always seems to get my adrenalin flowing. Great Pee Wee Ellis sax solo near the end.
This was the first Van song that absolutely floored me. To me, listening to this is like watching the sun rise.
The usual soulful and enigmatic lyrics, but I love the sound. A worship song that sounded like this would get my attention (except for the yodeling . . . maybe).
Of course Van is essentially an Irish blues singer with jazz and gypsy and gospel influences. Here he does a powerful version of the classic St. James Infirmary.
Finally, there's all the music from Van amazing record, Irish Heartbeat
. I could pick any song from this to close this tribute, but I really love Carrickfergus. Nobody sings and old man's longing better than Van.
