01-September-2023
Shubert Theatre
 Boston, USA

Dan Murray shares his thoughts on gig: 

The sound in the theater was deep, pure and all enveloping. The audience rapture during Mystic was palpable. The rest of the show also seemed to go over well. Some guys around me were head bopping to an alarming extent. Nice to see Van enjoying himself. Whether the band members are enjoying themselves, who knows. Van is a tough taskmaster, and was providing much instruction to them. I thought they sounded even better on Night 2, and Platania's leads were much more lyrical to my ears. It was all skiffle again, except for Mystic and Down to Joy, which sounded like the band was playing it for the first time. We did get a quote from Did Ye Get Healed with every day in every way, it's getting better and better. After Mystic, Van was close to hitting the 90-minute mark and a promisingly beautiful Green, Green Rocky Road was cut cruelly short, and Van was barely on stage for a minute before abruptly exiting with no fanfare to Worried Man, as the band bashed on beautifully for another 15 minutes while Van made his getaway for Los Angeles and tomorrow's Agape show. John Showboat Allair was terrific last night and Van at one point looked at him and said You stole the show! Where do we go next!? Van broke the set list ice last night, and let's hope more original songs make it to the stage. With 12 shows to go, he is not conserving energy or holding back a thing. I underwent some self-induced conversion therapy and have been opening up my heart to whatever Van gives me, even a heaping helping of the music of his youth which he deeply loves.
-Dan Murray

Setlist

Streamline Train

Sail Away Ladies

Yonder Comes a Sucker

Wish I Was An Apple On A Tree

Travellin' Blues

Come On In

This Lovin' Light of Mine

Streamlined Cannonball

Gov Don't Allow

Greenback Dollar

No Other Baby

I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry

Careless Love

The Gypsy Davy

Cotton Fields

Down To Joy
Into The Mystic

Green Green Rocky Road

Worried Man Blues

Big Hand for The Band!

John Platania (Guitar)
David Hayes (Bass)
John Allair (Keyboards)
Alan 'Sticky' Wicket (Percussion)
Robert Ruggeiro (Drums)

Jeff Taylor (Sax, Guitar, Vocals, Clarinet)
Omega Rae Brooks (Vocals)
Lucia Evans (Vocals)