VAN MORRISON
1973-05-27
The Troubadour
Los Angeles, California

Download FLAC: Google Drive

01 Come Running*
02 These Dreams of You
03 The Way Young Lovers Do
04 Snow In San Anselmo
05 Domino
06 I Just Want to Make Love to You
07 Crazy Love
08 Bein’ Green
09 Listen To The Lion
10 Warm Love
11 Caravan
12 Cyprus Avenue

*missing on source 1

Source 1:

Unknown

Source 2:

JF Archive Series Vol. 23 via JEMS

Taper: JF

Source: unknown recorder > unknown microphone (mono)

JEMS 2015 Transfer: JF master cassette > Nakamichi CR-7A (azimuth adjustment) > Sound Devices USBPre 2 > Audacity 2.0 capture > iZotope RX7 and Ozone 6 > iZotope RX MBIT+ resample 16/44.1 > Peak Pro XT (edit / index) > xACT 2.21 > FLAC

JEMS is thrilled to resume the JF Archive series, this time presenting nine Van Morrison performances recorded in and around Southern California by JF circa 1973-74.

Unlike the previous Lost California series covering uncirculated recordings from 1975, JF’s 1973-74 recordings have long been in circulation among collectors. However, this series marks the first-ever digitization and dissemination directly from his cassette masters.

The 5/27/73 late show was the final set in a memorable four-day run at the Troubadour. Several of the shows Van did in May-June of 1973 with the Caledonia Soul Orchestra were recorded and would later form the basis for the fantastic live album It’s Too Late To Stop Now. To his credit, Van changed up the set list with some frequency throughout the run, which meant many songs are not represented on the official document. Several of those were picked up by the expanded reissue of the live album, but there are still several performances from this set not found there.

In all, this a lovely performance and another one of those appealing “you are there” recordings, despite the lo-fi gear. Samples provided.

Here are JF’s reflections of the show:

I remember very few specifics about the second Van Morrison show of my life, beyond the music, that is. What I do remember is being in a kind of Morrison-swoon all three days after that first one. I had never seen a performer like that before and nothing that could come close to matching his band. And all in the tiny space of the Troubadour.

I would like to point out that the supporting act for the two Troubadour shows I attended was Jackie DeShannon. I have always been grateful to Van for widening my musical horizons, not only by the huge range of music he played, but by the musicians he invited to play with him. His concerts almost always got me listening to great music I might not have been exposed to as early as I was with his help.

Part of this recording filled out the “A Spawn of the Dublin Pubs” bootleg album.

Enjoy this master recording for what it is: a rare document of a great artist at work. Do not sell it! I made this recording but it does NOT belong to me. The music was made by Van Morrison and it belongs to anyone who wishes to hear it.

***

Once again, our gratitude goes to JF, who reached out on DIME (you could be next!) and offered us his archive, which had been sitting in boxes, 6000 miles away from where he lives today, for 20+ years. Like so many early tapers, he had great stories to tell and the memories flooded back as we sorted through tapes. We are pleased to be able to bring his work to all of you. Please let him know through your comments that you are, too.

We also appreciate the unnamed Van collectors who helped get JF’s masters back in his control. Special thanks mjk5510, who continues his vital duty as JEMS’ post-production and quality-control supervisor. Lastly, thanks to Mat at Midnight Cafe for his interest in JF’s Van Morrison recordings and in JEMS. We thought it would be fun for this show to debut on his site.

BK for JEMS