VAN MORRISON
Talk About Pop (acoustic 1973)
November 2, 1973
Radio Telefos Eireann (RTE) Studios
Dublin, Ireland

Download FLAC: Google Drive

1. Wild Children (4:21)
2. Slim Slow Slider (3:12)
3. Warm Love (3:19)
4. Drumshambo Hustle (3:38)
5. Autumn Song (4:02)
6. St. Dominic’s Preview (5:52)
7. Purple Heather [aka Wild Mountain Thyme] (3:49)
8. Madame George (7:14)
9. Wild Side Of Life (2:18)
– 4-second tape anomaly at 0:22-0:26
10. I Shall Sing (2:47)
11. And It Stoned Me (3:44)
12. piano into [Edit] (0:38)

***** LACKING – Snow In San Anselmo
***** LACKING – Beside You

Notes from the original torrentor:

This is something truly special for Van Morrison fans. 45 minutes of the Belfast Cowboy performing solo on acoustic guitar in an Irish television station studio. The show was called Talk About Pop, and Van’s appearance included an interview with host Tony Johnson and Donall Corvin (which can be read here).

It was recorded on November 2, 1973 and aired a week later on November 9, 1973. Included among Van’s song choices are three that are known only among serious collectors: “I Shall Sing”, “Wild Side Of Life” (sometimes known as “Honky Tonk Angels”), and the ridiculously rare “Drumshambo Hustle”, a song bemoaning the business aspect of the music industry.
About 10 years ago I received a cassette tape of this performance from an old-time Van Morrison fan & collector from Belfast. As a serious collector, I had previously heard a portion of this set (about 20 minutes worth), but when I played this tape and found that there were additional songs that I hadn’t heard before, and in stunningly great sound quality, I was thrilled. Unfortunately, the interview segments were edited out, and the ending “piano intro” snippet hints that there may have been more of the show with Van on piano. There also appears a tape anomaly 20 seconds into “Wild Side Of Life”. These flaws aside, I think any Van Morrison fan and/or collector will be amazed at what they hear, as this tape represents the most complete, best sounding copy of this show I’ve heard. Enjoy!