Thanks to a Rolling Stone Magazine article, Classic Shows Free Online (issue 1015) by Steve Knopper, we can now listen to over 300 rare concert recordings made by the late promoter Bill Graham at wolfgangsvault.com. You must register to listen, but it's free. There seems to be concern by the musicians involved that they should be getting compensation from this venture, which brings traffic to a site that sells concert posters, tee-shirts, etc., so this may be a temporary pleasure. Each concert has an interesting summary giving performers/perspective. I listened to a wonderful Van Morrison concert (11/1/78) at the Bottom Line last night:
Concert Summary Van Morrison - lead vocals, guitar, piano, saxBobby Tench - guitar, backing vocals David Hayes - bass Peter Van Hooks - drums Pete Bardens - keyboards Pee Wee Ellis - saxophones Katie Kissoon - backing vocals Ann Peacock - backing vocals Van Morrison was enjoying a commercial renaissance with this tour and the album he was promoting at the time. Always a consummate performer, Morrison delivered a stunning performance in New York's intimate Bottom Line club, the venue that launched the careers of both Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel, among countless others. Opening with a jazzed up version of "Moondance," the show provided a healthy mix of material from his then-new LP, Wavelength, and all the best-loved Morrison classics. The band was lava-hot and provided the perfect compliment to Morrison's free form vocal stylings. In the line-up was Pete Bardens (who also played keyboards in Morrison's 1960s British Invasion band, Them) and former Jeff Beck Group vocalist/guitarist, Bobby Tench. Because he had such a great band, in the course of one show Morrison successfully mixes up hot jazz, blazing blues, romantic and melodic ballads, and gospel-fevered rock 'n' roll. By the time he shakes it up on the closers - "Wild Night" and "Caravan"- the audience is completely in the palm of his hand. "Crazy Love," "Tupelo Honey" and "Into The Mystic" faithfully bring the listener back to his classic early ‘70s Warner Brothers Records period, when he was the darling of the pop music press. "Kingdom Hall," "Checkin' It Out," and the aforementioned "Wavelength" were new songs at the time, but were just as well received, since it was clear to the audience that Van Morrison had just released one of his best albums in years. Still, it was Morrison's earliest solo hit, "Brown Eyed Girl" that first brought the audience to its feet. Although the audience did not know it, this show almost didn’t happen. Minutes prior to going on stage, Morrison got into an altercation with his then-road manager, Mick Brigdon. Both had been drinking and after being held down, Morrison told the promoters he would not go on if Brigdon was even on the same street, let alone inside the venue. Brigdon was asked to leave, and Morrison eventually went on to perform this memorable show. Maybe all the excitement had pumped him up for a more energetic performance. For that Bottom Line audience, and now for all of us, this show remains a classic. |
So give it a try. Here's a sample of the concerts available:
Muddy Waters Blues Band 11/06/1966 Fillmore Auditorium
The Who 04/06/1968 Fillmore East
Quicksilver Messenger Service 06/07/1968 Fillmore East
Steppenwolf 08/27/1968 Fillmore West
Sly & the Family Stone 10/05/1968 Late Show Fillmore East
Jimi Hendrix Experience 10/11/1968 Early Show Winterland
Terry Reid 12/15/1968 Fillmore West
Led Zeppelin 01/11/1969 Fillmore West
Taj Mahal 09/18/1969 Fillmore West
The Sons of Champlin 10/24/1969 Winterland
Neil Young & Crazy Horse 03/06/1970 Early Show Fillmore East
Miles Davis Quintet 03/07/1970 Fillmore East
Laura Nyro 06/20/1970 Fillmore East
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