Platania also co-wrote two songs with Morrison, on his compilation album of out-takesThe Philosopher's Stone, as well as playing guitar on several of the tracks on disc one.[4]
In 2006, Platania again reunited with Van Morrison, touring on Morrison's "Pay the Devil" tour and continued playing with the Van Morrison band in 2008.[6]
In 2002, Platania released his solo debut Lucky Dog, a collaboration with cartoon artist Elwood H. Smith.[11]
In 2007, Platania released his second and predominately instrumental CD entitled 'Blues Waltzes and Badland Borders'. The album features narration by artists such as Jon Voight and Alejandro Escovedo.[12]
Platania began working with Don McLean in 1981 playing as his accompanist on every US, Canadian and overseas tour until 1996. John Platania has never been on any records with Don McLean, only on the road. In 2007, Don McLean said "John Platania has been a great friend. He was a completely reliable, fantastically inspired, hard-working, funny and wise human being. I feel very fortunate to have found him and very fortunate that he was willing to devote as much of his time to me and my music as he did" (Howard, 2007).[14]
In 1983, he produced and wrote the score for the Emmy winning musical revue None for the Road, a public service production to educate young people about the dangers of drinking, drugs and driving.
Platania has worked as a producer on six albums for Guy Davis. He also produced Davis’s "I Will Be Your Friend,” the title song for the Southern Poverty Law Center’s "anti-hate" compilation CD.[15]
Platania has also worked with Davis on songs for tribute CDs to Charley Patton and Nick Lowe. He composed the music for Sail Production’s stage version of Harriet Tubman, which toured the United States during Black History Month.
From the 2010s to present, he has been the guitarist for Chip Taylor's backup band, The New Ukrainians.
Discography
Solo albums
2002: Lucky Dog (Double Dog)
2007: Blues, Waltzes And Badland Borders (Train Wreck)