The VH Trade Site Forums Archives

[Anonymous]

I wasn't at the show and would love to hear any firsthand accounts from members of this board. You can tell the reviewer wasn't "prepped in advance" for the setlist, which is OK by me....but get real, like Sammy would ever sing "Everybody Wants Some." And for my part, I prefer "non-hits" at big-name shows. But the gist of his review echoes the growing sentiment that the boys are phoning it in for a quick buck. -- Matt in Seattle

Anyway, here goes:

*************

Concert Review
Few hits or surprises from big-time rockers

By Patrick MacDonald
Seattle Times music critic

You'd think a major rock band that hadn't toured in eight years — and was charging premium ticket prices — would reward its faithful fans with a show filled with hits, and maybe some surprises.

But Friday night at KeyArena the revitalized Van Halen played few of its signature tunes, ignoring many of its most popular hits.

Most of the two-hour set was wasted on the two horrible new singles — the embarrassingly juvenile "Up for Breakfast" and the boring cliché, "It's About Time" — as well as extremely long, pointless solos from each of the four members, and such deservedly :confused: obscure songs as "Humans Being," "The Seventh Seal," "Somebody Get Me A Doctor" and "When It's Love." The latter was the second encore, ending the show with a relatively slow song.

The show opened promisingly with "Jump," with lead singer Sammy Hagar and spectacular guitarist Eddie Van Halen leaping all over the huge, three-tiered stage. It was good to see shirtless Eddie looking fit and energetic, after hip surgery and a bout with cancer. But he was, or at least was acting, tipsy, :irked: and he was smoking — disheartening to see from a guy who survived tongue cancer.

After that powerful opening, the show bogged down for the next 90 minutes, except for the fun, chugging "Unchained."

It got better in the last half-hour, starting with "Dreams" (although Hagar, at 57, can only scream, having lost his high and low registers) and an intense "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love." But they ended the set with "Right Now," one of their weakest hits. They seemed to finally become the Van Halen of yore with the first encore, although it consisted of only two songs, "You Really Got Me" (a Kinks cover) and "Panama." But they were lots of fun, the only two songs worth getting up and dancing to.

Where was "Runnin' With the Devil," "Everybody Wants Some!!," "Dance the Night Away," "Hot for Teacher," "Beautiful Girls," "Jamie's Crying"? A couple of those songs would have given the show the kick it needed.

The big audience reacted enthusiastically most of the time — as audiences who pay high prices tend to do (the tickets topped out at $125), because they want to have an experience that was worth it. But it's hard to imagine any true fan being satisfied with such a lackluster performance.

[mhnyr2000]

This guy is obviously a casual fan at best.When It's Love an obscure song? C'mon!! I saw them a month and a half ago and by no means did I think they were phoning it in

[ect5150]

mbrown02 wrote: Where was "Runnin' With the Devil," "Everybody Wants Some!!," "Dance the Night Away," "Hot for Teacher," "Beautiful Girls," "Jamie's Crying"?

This guy did realize it was Hagar up there, and not Roth, right? It really sounds like the guy doesn't know the history that well...

But I will say I was at the opening show in Greensboro and got my moneys worth and would go back and do it again!

[Anonymous]

This is almost the same review they got in Atlantic City in Sept. I dont think the critic was aware Dave had left the band. I saw AC and Philly and would go for a 3rd show if I could!

[Acoustic Viscosity]

Heh, Humans Being and When It's Love are obscure songs? Riiiiiiiiiiight.

[ect5150]

Acoustic Viscosity wrote: Heh, Humans Being and When It's Love are obscure songs? Riiiiiiiiiiight.

Even though I love Humans Being, I can understand why he might say it. Its was only on the Best Of album right when Sammy left.

However, I do have friends that know of the song that aren't even Van Halen fans (they are R.E.M. fans... there is still hope for them though :p ) So, maybe its more widely known that I thought (and I don't consider it being on the Twister soundtrack major coverage)

[Acoustic Viscosity]

But it had a video on the great propaganda channel called MTV, the one which makes hits out of whatever it shows. It must be a hit then. ;)

Regardless, When It's Love is one of their hits; no question...'cause it had a video on MTV also. :D

[Anonymous]

I saw the show and I don't think they were phoning in the performance but Eddie was completely beyond drunk. I have heard he was for most of the tour. His guitar solo sucked. The guy was right though Unchained was nice but Mike sang Doctor and it kicked ass. I'd give the show a B- or a C+. With a little more varied set list and Eddie in top form it would have been slamming

[VHDVDFan]

I have seen 14 VH shows over the years. 2004 was the worst by far. Eddie was drunk as was MA. Sammy signed autographs throughout the entire show .... singing less than 70% of the words. I LOVE VH but it was a disappointment, Eddie played no recognizable VH song rifs in his 15 minute solo.

I am glad to have about eight 2004 shows on DVD. They are MUCH better than what I saw live.

[Moonbeam]

I have seen VH 15 times in my lifetime, twice on this last tour (Chicago and Little Rock). In Chicago, Eddie was not on...he seemed to be hammered, i.e., drunk, or some other recreational substance. His solo was not much better than I could play, and I ain't no player. I just assumed he was glad to be alive and was just on stage F*%$ing around. He actually asked the crowd before the solo, "Do you mind if I fuck around for a few mintues." and that's all he did for 15 mintues....just a lot of feedback and rolling around on the ground.

However, when I saw them in LR 3 months later, I would say Eddie sounded like the old Eddie again. So, I guess it depends on which night you see them, and whether he has been partying before the show or not. As Sammy said on his Waborita's DVD, "I don't get drunk before the show, I get drunk during the show...." :thumb:

[zoso-shane69]

I was in the 5th row for this Seattle show. Incredible show but yes, Ed was fucked up. He actually fell on stage once or twice. Very cringeworthy moments. You could see all was not well but they still kicked Seattle ass and continued on.

[VHLIVE]

2 and a half year old thread...that has to be a record....LMAO :o :D :D :D :D :D :D

[zoso-shane69]

VHLIVE wrote: 2 and a half year old thread...that has to be a record....LMAO :o :D :D :D :D :D :D

Iknow, I know. Just found this site and was hoping to find a tape of the show. Saw the thread and had to chime in!! Just love Eddie :thumb: