Van Morrison, Lonnie Donegan and Chris Barber: The Skiffle Sessions - Live In Belfast (Exile)Forget drum'n'bass, trip-hop and speed-cajuntechno: skiffle is tha nu style, and who better than Van the Man to surf the latest musical wave? Actually, pop kids, skiffle is a 40-year-old phenomenon, a missing link between country blues and rock'n'roll, and this concert album sees Morrison teaming up with the godfather of skiffle, Lonnie Donegan, jazz musician Chris Barber, and special guest, Dr John. Rock academics will shiver with joy at this hotch-potch of skiffle, blues and country tunes, which include Midnight Special, Frankie & Johnny and Goodnight Irene, but sadly doesn't feature My Old Man's A Dustman. This oldie jam session was probably great toe-tapping fun at the time, but too often it oversteps the line between worthy ol' skiffle and boring old piffle.

- Kevin Courtney