One cannot underestimate the influence that skiffle music and its most famous practitioners, Lonnie Donegan and Chris Barber, had on an entire generation of young folk throughout the U.K. in the late 1950s. Van Morrison was among those who were inspired by skiffle's repertoire of American folk-blues songs, which were energetically rendered with do-it-yourself determination and required just three chords on an acoustic guitar, whatever percussive device you could bang and perhaps a horn or piano. On this live recording, captured over two nights in late 1998, Morrison sits in with the musical heroes of his youth and they turn in a quintessential set of skiffle: Songs from Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie and Jimmie Rodgers as well as plenty of traditional numbers (including I Wanna Go Home, which Beach Boys' fans will recognize as Sloop B. John). Morrison and Donegan swap lead vocals, while bluesy guitar, jazzy sax, sleazy trombone and New Orleans piano from Dr. John (who drops in for a couple numbers) add some needed dynamics to what's essentially simple songs simply played. Sounds like everyone onstage had a good time, although some listeners could be disappointed if they're expecting an album of Morrison music. The Skiffle Sessions is undoubtedly Donegan and Barber's show.

Track Listing 1. It Takes A Worried Man
  2. Lost John
  3. Goin' Home
  4. Good Morning Blues
  5. Outskirts Of Town
  6. Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O
  7. Alabamy Bound
  8. Midnight Special
  9. Dead Or Alive
  10. Frankie And Johnny
  11. Goodnight Irene
  12. Railroad Bill
  13. Muleskinner Blues
  14. The Ballad Of Jesse James
  15. I Wanna Go Home