OT: Van Halen Live In Dallas, Concert Report

[Stackabones]

 

 

 

WOW!

[flip333]

Really? That is good to hear. Eddie must have it together!

[OldGuitarPlayer]

Dude...may I be first to say...Rock On!!

[Stackabones]

Well, it was a blast! I'd worried that it would be horrible. I hadn't planned on going at all ... ticket prices were way out of the Stackabudget ... but a friend called with some excellent seats gratis and I just couldn't refuse.

 

They did all the hits (and a few deep cuts) from each album of the "classic era" with David Lee Roth, a performer in line with great comic musician/performers like Louis Prima and Fats Waller. Eddie Van Halen was in top form and he looked happy. His son, Wolfie, on bass did a fine job. Alex Van Halen had a drum solo ... and I thought oh, man, drum solo ... ... but it was actually entertaining and enjoyable. The band was tight & the show was well-paced and had a some great set pieces (Dave's monologue before Ice Cream Man was magic).

 

Bob Marley's son, Ky-Mani, opened the show and was excellent. I guess some thought it was an odd choice. Reggae? For me, it was wonderful. In high school, I really dug Van Halen and reggae music! So, I was all grins all night.

 

I perform a few VH tunes (or VH covers) in my solo sets ... Ice Cream Man, Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now), Beautiful Girls. In the past, I've worked up solo git/vox arrangements of Everybody Wants Some and Hot For Teacher.

 

I'm putting this show up there with one of the top rock and roll/live concerts I've ever seen!

 

[Hudman]

That's great news.

 

EVH was the guy that inspired me to buy my first guitar.

 

I hope he finally has his drinking problem under control.

 

I always liked DLR better than Sammy.

[ESL94]

That cool to hear.

I'm going to their show on Monday.

[Stackabones]

Thinking over the show and Eddie's playing over his career ... this is the second time I've seen him live -- the first time was on the first Van Hagar tour.

 

His lead playing is mind boggling and flashy and bluesy and over-the-top and tastey and he has a great ear for hooks and so on and on ... but ... he spends most of the night playing rhythm guitar.

 

He's the main/only chord guy in the band. For a guitarist who gets tons of accolades about his lead playing (for good and obvious reasons), he's a bit under-rated as a rhythm player.

 

I guess that's just how it goes with great guitarists ... all bases covered.

[James Hetfield Acne Scars]

I saw them on the 22nd in OK City and they were unbelievable. Its so great to finally have Dave back in the band. They need to record a studio album ASAP.