Unreleased Demos

Van’s last known demo. He wrote this song in the summer of 1995 performed it live a few times and made this demo sometime in 1996. Despite his own claims of losing his muse, this song clearly shows that he hadn’t lost his songwriting touch.

This unique love ballad for Lindsey was never released. In my interviews with her she claimed that she always kept it close to her heart. When I finally met Van in 2002 it was this song he played for me on the piano.  

This rare gem was written in Los Angeles about the then 17 year-old Leia Phelps. It was a great example of Van’s latter day songwriting and was featured in most of of his final solo performances.    

A song written while Van and Alexa tried to make a long distance relationship work. I discovered this on a mix tape that Van had made for Alexa’s 23 birthday….and thus perhaps hadn’t been noticed by Lindsey as she prepared some of his official releases.       This Place (Calls to You)   This […]

One of the first songs Van wrote on guitar. This song delves deep into Van’s emotional tailspin following his brief romantic relationship with Lindsey Elmwood.  

One of Van’s quintessential story songs. This demo shows a decidedly new musical direction after the demise of the band Double Cap.

Van’s look back at his childhood sweetheart, Colleen. The music to this song was co-written with Van’s Double Cap bandmate, Ben DeSenso.  

One of the first songs Van wrote on the guitar. They lyrics tell of the aftermath of his torrid, though short-lived relationship with Laura Lee.  

This song was the basis for Van’s one and only film which he made while a graduate student at S.F. State between 1986-87.  

Here is Van’s original demo. Bruce Springsteen’s version on Bedroom at Arles is quite faithful to this version.