van halen at phillips arena

[tonefinger]

I'm going to see Van Halen Sunday night at Phillips Arena in Atlanta. Looking forward to it, I'll post a review of the show.

[PeeWee]

Not really a VH fan (haven't been since the 1st LP) but I'd be interested in hearing your take on the show. I've seen some video footage that was less than flattering and read some very negative reviews as well.

[sliding-tom]

Just to give a reply: no VH fan here either, but I hope you'll enjoy the show - Have fun!

[tonefinger]

The show last night in Atlanta was great. They played just about every song that Roth recorded with the band, including the entire first album. I had heard that Roth was out of shape, but the guy had a chiseled six pack going and sang better than when I saw them early in their career. They even did a cool version of "Spoonful", plus a few more surprises. Eddies son seems to have added a little youthful energy, his bass playing was surprisingly good as well as the back up vocals. There were a few sound problems that eventually got worked out, but it didn't really affect the show. From a gear standpoint, Eddie played through his new amplifiers, which I believe is made by Fender. They sounded pretty good, more like the old original " Brown Sound". He used a Wah quite a bit. He also played one of his new guitars, his playing was very good and surprisingly bluesy at times.

[PeeWee]

Glad that you had a good time, TF! FWIW, I always preferred "Diamond Dave" to the Van Hagar period. When Roth was originally in the band, I felt that they were a much more Rock influenced group; a little harder in sound with more drive. While I loved Sammy when he was with Montrose (still dig the hell outta that debut album!) I thought that he brought a more Pop-ish flavoring to their sound and really watered them down to the point of almost being a "bubblegum" band. Thanks for the review!

[tonefinger]

I agree with you on the Hagar era, interestingly eddies guitar sounded alot more processed when Sammy was in the band. I think Dave is a great showman. I love the Montrose stuff as well. I go back and rediscover the old records from that era all the time, there was so much great music back then.

[PeeWee]

Back when the Van Halen LP came out, I remember how huge it was. There was nothing that sounded like that at the time on the radio. I was playing bass in a Rock band back then and our guitar player went nuts over EVH; we added a number of soungs off that record to our playlist. Of course there was "Eruption/You Really Got Me" and we also played "Jamie's Cryin'", "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" and "Running With The Devil". Seems kind of the standard nowadays but back in '77-'78, I believe that we were some of the first guys playing those songs in our area. Who knew???

[tonefinger]

That first LP was huge, especially in the guitar community. Love him or hate him, Eddie had a huge impact on the world of rock guitar, actually guitar in general. From a tone standpoint, the tone he got on the first LP is still one of the most sought after sounds in the guitar world.

[MelvinDale]

+1 for the Diamond Dave era VH.

I was also playing Bass in band at the time they came out and I can truly say I'm glad I was, so I didn't have to learn to play like that. Nothing and I mean nothing against the way Eddie plays, but I'd still be in the basement unable to show my face if someone expected me to pull that stuff off.

I've heard the stories about how difficult Dave was to work with on albums and that he'd do each line of the song until he was satisfied - overkill? perhaps, but you only get one shot at it, what you do live is another story and he is such the showman, I don't think it much matters.

Glad the show lived up to your expectations TF - glad to see you're still going to shows. It's sometimes difficult to find the time.

I bowed out of a gig two years ago cause Papa Chubby was comin' to town (is that a Christmas song?) just so I could go see him.

Anyone else seen any killer shows with killer tones?

MelvinDale

[B Vance]

I bowed out of a gig two years ago cause Papa Chubby was comin' to town (is that a Christmas song?) just so I could go see him.

I saw Popa Chubby a few years ago as well. Great tone and great playing. I was actually most impressed by his key/organ player. That guy was out of this world. Popa Chubby can play, no doubt, but he may quite possibly be the most foul and perverted indvidual I've ever met.

[MelvinDale]

he may quite possibly be the most foul and perverted indvidual I've ever met.


. . .and you say that like there's something wrong?:rolleyes:

Yeah, I really liked his tone as well - no keys when I saw him however - still a good player.

Here's a sad mistake that I made - I'm not well versed in current Blue's players, and was at a local venue that had opened where I took my wife for dinner. This guitar player came up and started a set, he was really, really tasty (so was the food, but I digress), we finished our meal and went home after about 3/4 of a set.
At the guitar show that happened to be the next day - everyone was talking about how good Jimmy Thackery was the night before. I now own most everything he's done and sorry I didn't stay for the rest of the night.

Odd, I used to do the same thing when I was a pup though. I'd go see Fever Tree and leave before Spirit came on. Did stupid things like that a lot - guess I still do.

MelvinDale

[sliding-tom]

Anyone else seen any killer shows with killer tones?

MelvinDale

Rick Vito, about two years ago. In a small club here in my hometown and I was close to the stage so I could hear his tone directly from the amp and not diluted through the PA system. Small Peavey (Classic 30 I think) and a huge tone.

[B Vance]

. . .and you say that like there's something wrong?:rolleyes:


Just not a guy I'd like to have over to the house for a cookout with my family.

[PeeWee]

Did someone say Thackery???

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/M_L_Dutton/MikeJimmyThackery001.jpg

This is a shot of me and Jim in the kitchen of a joint here in DC back on September 8, 1990. My band at the time was the opener and Jimmy had just left The Nighthawks about a year earlier.

[MelvinDale]

Thanks PeeWee - not seen a picture of JT without his signature hat.

They use Progresso breadcrumbs?