Off the record: Not too late to see Van the Man

Like Led Zeppelin's universally acclaimed one-off reunion in 2007, or Brian Wilson re-creating Pet Sounds in 2002, this is the pinnacle of nostalgia gigging. If the rapturous Hollywood critics are anything to go by, there'll be more five-star ratings than a Dubai hotel guide.

Astral Weeks was largely improvised in the first place, and accordingly Morrison has been doing something new with it this time around, changing the song orders, structures and lyrics. For someone who ordinarily would consider it an artistic failure to look backwards, the 1968 album's loose form allows him to do something unique at the same time.

If the great man Van's doing it, surely it's time to stop being snobbish about all the lesser comebacks, reformations and general hatchet-burying too. Certain musicians don't think so.

This week Morrissey announced his intention to retire within five years: "It's very interesting that it's very hard to think of anybody who ages and still manages to mean anything," he said.

Paul Weller had blunter thoughts about a Jam reunion: "Me and my children would have to be destitute and starving in the gutter before I'd even consider that." It's always the ones who are doing very nicely in the present who are uninterested in the past.

But as someone too young to have witnessed the likes of Chuck Berry or Jerry Lee Lewis in their pomp, I feel it's my right as a music fan to be able to look at the embers of their huge talent as long as they still glow, however slightly.

The dusty names keep coming. Former enemies Simon and Garfunkel have just said they'll soon be back again. Mott the Hoople are to take to the stage for the first time in 35 years at the Hammersmith Apollo in October, Ian Hunter singing All the Young Dudes not long after he turns 70. If they can keep a straight face, so can I.

Spandau Ballet, absent so far from the Eighties revival bonanza, are finally able to perform again in the same room at a date yet to be confirmed and pretend they never tried to sue each other. "Now they are older, fatter, poorer, there's every reason to see if the magic still works," was the wonderfully backhanded quote from their former record label boss this week. But as long as they don't inflict any new material on us, I'm all for it.

Almost as exciting as Astral Weeks, an insider rumour has just begun on the suddenly ubiquitous Twitter network that Michael Jackson is about to announce a series of summer shows at the O2 Arena. In my heart of hearts, I know that this one is likely to be a catastrophic shambles, but he's the only one left on my list of People I Need To See Who Aren't Dead, so nothing will stop me from watching that concert, through my fingers and horrified if need be.

Even if what's going on up front is below par, though, it's the fans who often elevate this kind of thing into something worthwhile. It's a long time since I witnessed hysteria to match that at the New Kids on the Block reunion last month.

There's a genuine hunger to see the stars of every era in the flesh, no matter how wizened. There should be no shame in buying a ticket for memory lane, squinting hard and hoping for the best.
Tickets go on sale today for Van Morrison at the Albert Hall (020 7589 8212, www.royalalberthall.com) on 18 and 19 April.

NEW ON THE NET
*AR Rahman looks set to receive his first Oscar this month for his score to Slumdog Millionaire, bringing a man who is already hugely renowned as a Bollywood composer to the belated attention of the rest of the world. Those who want a quick catch-up on his achievements to date are advised to head to the iTunes store, where they've just put together a 25-track selection of his greatest moments for the very specific price of £6.32.

*Another Oscar hopeful is Rachel Getting Married, with Anne Hathaway up for Best Actress. Its music is more notable than most, with a wedding band led by psychedelic veteran Robyn Hitchcock and TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe playing the groom. The soundtrack, in the iTunes store now, is worth checking just for Adebimpe's admirably minimal interpretation of Neil Young's Unknown Legend.

*The next big name to offer music lovers "something better than piracy" will be BSkyB, which is planning its own download service to launch in the spring, and not just for satellite TV subscribers. It'll be virtually impossible to topple iTunes, but the more competition the better for those who don't want to get their sounds illegally.