~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jamie A. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Great, great show for the finale of the tour tonight in Dallas. Van seemed in great voice, played lots of sax, would go to keyboards when he would wander off, and play along. Seemed in great mood. Number of asides to the audience, comments on songs, I hope someone will report all. I think he said after This Love of Mine - "Frank Sinatra did that one," and I think he said something about "here is one in the style of Louis Prima," and went in to HITYL. Comment before Moondance, something to the effect of "here's one you know, done a little differently." And then there was the intro to Tupelo Honey, saying "Here's an old one, don't do it too often, but Sarah wants to do it." Comment in mid song of another, "stole that from Lightnin Hopkins." No asking for requests. Bobby "Blue" Bland again opened the show, and as others have posted, his band was top notch. First notes of his soulful, bluesy voice made my emotions well up. Didn't even know what he said, but it hit me. Great to hear him do Stormy Monday and the others in this tight, short 30 minute set. Van's band seemed happy, together, as mentioned, bass player was the behind the scenes conductor. The sound mix was perfect to my ears. Audience was well behaved, quiet when needed, and enthusiastic the majority of the time. The Crawford Bell singers really meshed well with Van, and I was surprised by his trumpet playing, especially on St. James Infirmary. As much as I enjoyed Cindy Cashdollar last trip through Dallas, Sarah Jory was so great. Very in to it, with great facial jestures, head moves, like she was coaxing each note out with her whole body. John Platania - never had seen and had loved his playing on It's Too Late To Stop Now way back when, so it was a real treat to get to see him and hear his guitar wizadry. John Allair is always wonderful, and was giving it his all. Tony great, drummer, bass, percussionist, all perfect!
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