So, when the VH tour was announced, I opined on HF if I was the biggest sucker on the planet that I wanted to see the show. Well, Dec 16th appeared on the calendar, I headed on down to check it out.
Pre-Show
The show was technically sold out, but they were selling partial view seats behind the stage for $65.00. I scalped a lower bowl ticket for $100 (face $165) and headed in. The HP center in SJC seats 17,000+ and the place was packed. I ended up sitting on the right side (looking at the stage) about 14 rows up. Walked in as the lights went down. My expectations increased in the run-up with many good reviews and encouraging You Tube videos. I was actually surprised that the tour last the 60+ days since the kick-off.
Show
So the stage is stripped down with Wolfgang on the left (looking at the stage), Eddie directly in front of the drum kit and DLR all over the place. They had a walkway that went into the audience and curved around – so the first 15 rows are in this “pit”.
Suffice it to say, excellent and highly entertaining. This first thing is the set list. They run through 26 tunes and there was one, maybe two tunes/solos I did not care for. DLR totally drives the show. I had seen them back in 1984 and they were much better in this tight incarnation. You can tell DLR is just happy to be on tour and not off on some crack-pot exploit. Wolfgang was fine – lays down the bass line and stays away to the side.
Eddie Van Halen is insane – and I mean that in the most literal sense. His behavior has been bizarre (firing singers, alienating Anthony, etc.) However, he can still rip off the licks. Some of the solo work may have been recorded (not sure on his “tapping” technique and the amount of sound vs. activity on Cathedral). I am almost positive all the background vocals were dubbed in as EVH has half a tongue and M Anthony was one of the better background singers.
To me, it all boils down to those 26 songs – and all the way down the line they are just great tunes and well executed. I never once wished for a Sammy Era song that I knew would not be played( when I saw VH with Sammy, there were DLR era tunes that would not be played and detracted from the show). Not the case with DLR.
If you have tix in Dallas, Houston or SA --- go. You will not be disappointed.
01. You Really Got Me
02. I'm the One
03. Runnin' With the Devil
04. Romeo Delight
05. Somebody Get Me a Doctor
06. Beautiful Girls
07. Dance the Night Away
08. Atomic Punk
09. Everybody Wants Some
10. So This Is Love?
11. Mean Street
12. Pretty Woman
13. Drum Solo
14. Unchained
15. I'll Wait
16. And the Cradle Will Rock
17. Hot for Teacher
18. Little Dreamer
19. Little Guitars
20. Jamie's Cryin'
21. Ice Cream Man
22. Panama
23. Guitar Solo (incl. "Women in Love" intro, "Cathedral", "Eruption")
24. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
------------------------
25. 1984
26. Jump
Questions?
Pre-Show
The show was technically sold out, but they were selling partial view seats behind the stage for $65.00. I scalped a lower bowl ticket for $100 (face $165) and headed in. The HP center in SJC seats 17,000+ and the place was packed. I ended up sitting on the right side (looking at the stage) about 14 rows up. Walked in as the lights went down. My expectations increased in the run-up with many good reviews and encouraging You Tube videos. I was actually surprised that the tour last the 60+ days since the kick-off.
Show
So the stage is stripped down with Wolfgang on the left (looking at the stage), Eddie directly in front of the drum kit and DLR all over the place. They had a walkway that went into the audience and curved around – so the first 15 rows are in this “pit”.
Suffice it to say, excellent and highly entertaining. This first thing is the set list. They run through 26 tunes and there was one, maybe two tunes/solos I did not care for. DLR totally drives the show. I had seen them back in 1984 and they were much better in this tight incarnation. You can tell DLR is just happy to be on tour and not off on some crack-pot exploit. Wolfgang was fine – lays down the bass line and stays away to the side.
Eddie Van Halen is insane – and I mean that in the most literal sense. His behavior has been bizarre (firing singers, alienating Anthony, etc.) However, he can still rip off the licks. Some of the solo work may have been recorded (not sure on his “tapping” technique and the amount of sound vs. activity on Cathedral). I am almost positive all the background vocals were dubbed in as EVH has half a tongue and M Anthony was one of the better background singers.
To me, it all boils down to those 26 songs – and all the way down the line they are just great tunes and well executed. I never once wished for a Sammy Era song that I knew would not be played( when I saw VH with Sammy, there were DLR era tunes that would not be played and detracted from the show). Not the case with DLR.
If you have tix in Dallas, Houston or SA --- go. You will not be disappointed.
01. You Really Got Me
02. I'm the One
03. Runnin' With the Devil
04. Romeo Delight
05. Somebody Get Me a Doctor
06. Beautiful Girls
07. Dance the Night Away
08. Atomic Punk
09. Everybody Wants Some
10. So This Is Love?
11. Mean Street
12. Pretty Woman
13. Drum Solo
14. Unchained
15. I'll Wait
16. And the Cradle Will Rock
17. Hot for Teacher
18. Little Dreamer
19. Little Guitars
20. Jamie's Cryin'
21. Ice Cream Man
22. Panama
23. Guitar Solo (incl. "Women in Love" intro, "Cathedral", "Eruption")
24. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
------------------------
25. 1984
26. Jump
Questions?
