**** REVIEWS - 10.05 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena **** - Page 3

guitar5150 · 10.06.07, 10:14 PM

"However, "I'll Wait" is just a weak single that screams 80s cheese."

Weak?

oldfan77 · 10.07.07, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr.bullet

this is the first review of the tour where i'm starting to see people complain.....you want roth to do drum riser kicks ala the oakland vid? relax and stop complaining, it's van halen with david lee roth!!! it's not 1981, you're not 25 anymore and neither is band....by the way, it's van halen with david lee frickin' roth!

Yep, it is Van Halen with David Lee Roth, and it is quite awesome to even see them together again, no question. Unfortunately the band asked to be judged harshly, and altho I do not think anyone is actually judging anyone "harshly" here simply due to the overall glowing reviews, I do think that Dave has lost more over the years than Al or Ed, or probably even Mike, as stated in my earlier post. His singing is great IMO, but his movements and stage presence are certainly not on par with the "25 years later" performances of both Ed and Al. Anyone who saw Dave "pre 1984" will know exactly what I'm talking about, another poster stated something too earlier about "a lead singer with an attitude" and nailed it right there---Dave was a consumate showman and flat-out badass in the day, one who definitively carried the bands' "persona" of badass too---that is/was all part of Van Halen and their early music that is being brought to us--- and altho he is still bringing it to the table as far as his singing goes no question, I think what those of us who are mentioning anything are simply looking for the rest of that original badass persona package, rather than some Vegas liberace impersonation that simply doesn't fit. This is Van fucking Halen with David Lee Roth ladies and gents, and should never, ever, be confused with any part of Dave's later solo career, including the Vegas schtick and garb. JMHO.

simplerhym · 10.07.07, 05:55 AM

I agree to some extent however, I think that the trade off for less jumps, kicks and running around IS the improved vocals. Watch any boot of classic VH with all of that athleticism and the vocals are rushed, talked, off-key...in other words, SECONDARY. It's not 1984, but we are hearing the great songs, performed way better than the Police did their tunes and if a little bad-ass needs to be sacrificed, so be it. Remember, jerking off with water bottles, saying I'm gonna fuck your girlfriend, drinking Jack and making fun of Quiet Riot, etc, are all funny when the singer is 28 and you are 17. Not as much so when he's 55 and you're 40ish. And I did note that he didn't do the water bottle thing at Mohegan.

edvanheineken · 10.07.07, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldfan77

Yep, it is Van Halen with David Lee Roth, and it is quite awesome to even see them together again, no question. Unfortunately the band asked to be judged harshly, and altho I do not think anyone is actually judging anyone "harshly" here simply due to the overall glowing reviews, I do think that Dave has lost more over the years than Al or Ed, or probably even Mike, as stated in my earlier post. His singing is great IMO, but his movements and stage presence are certainly not on par with the "25 years later" performances of both Ed and Al. Anyone who saw Dave "pre 1984" will know exactly what I'm talking about, another poster stated something too earlier about "a lead singer with an attitude" and nailed it right there---Dave was a consumate showman and flat-out badass in the day, one who definitively carried the bands' "persona" of badass too---that is/was all part of Van Halen and their early music that is being brought to us--- and altho he is still bringing it to the table as far as his singing goes no question, I think what those of us who are mentioning anything are simply looking for the rest of that original badass persona package, rather than some Vegas liberace impersonation that simply doesn't fit. This is Van fucking Halen with David Lee Roth ladies and gents, and should never, ever, be confused with any part of Dave's later solo career, including the Vegas schtick and garb. JMHO.

I am going to the Chicago show. I am really looking forward to it. Especially since listening to the Charllote boot. I undersdand what people such as yourself are saying. We want it all plus great singing. I haven't seen the show yet, but I have seen the clips. He doesn't appear to be racing through the stage like the maniac he once was. Unlike Jagger, who at his age can still move around like a nut and still sing, Dave would fall apart after about a 1/2 hour. Although Dave is in great shape, he cannot concetrate on the singing and do back flips for 2.5 hours. I'd like to see all of it myself, but hell, he at least sounds really good and from the clips still acts like ole Dave. If you read his book, he talks about being in pain all the time. The man was/is an athlete. All the years of on stage antics took its toll on his body. You can't explain genetics. Mick J. can still do his shit, but he never did do the acrobatics that Dave did. When he did the 02 tour with Sam, he was doing more, but I did not like his show. He did not say one word during that show and the he almost fell at least once. I don't want the man to get hurt. He even wacked himself in the head with his baton routine during his small club tour in 03. It isn't worth it. For anyone who saw the Police tour, Dave is running circles on Sting. I found the Police show boring. Also, I strongly believe that Dave has a great deal to prove in order to regain respect. Some of it fair and some of it unfair. People, don't forget that a few months ago he was a laughing stock (blue grass). It is a tough uphill battle when you fall from grace to regain your crown. That is why some will always find fault no matter what he does. He is trying to undo years of damage to his image. For myself, I am going with an open mind on the 16th and I am going to enjoy the show. Hell, by the end it will cost me at least $500 for the tix+food+parking+Beer+beer+....did I say +beer! =) My one selfish desire is for a full length album. I do have to say that I am sad to hear/read that Dave has brought out his stupid microphone back from ALAE. Put that under the stupid things he does that need to be judged harshly. I remember reading ages ago when people said that when they watched that in 91 that it was the end for them. WTF is he thinking? BTW, the outfits are right out of that era also. My wife caught a glance of Links' front page and asked "what is the ass wearing." Mind you that she is not a Dave fan. She, like many women I know, prefer Sam. Oh well, that's why I'm going with my brother-in-law. All things considered, the band is doing well. Enjoy!

MF5150 · 10.07.07, 06:26 AM

How long was the guitar solo? I know it ain't a review...but it will get answered in here and then I will move along?.....

jimmy812 · 10.07.07, 06:33 AM

Oh I forgot to mention a couple of pages ago that "Everybody Wants Some" is one of my highlights of the show. For some reason, to me, this was the biggest kick-ass song of the night.
As great as "Unchained" and "Mean Street" and even "Hot for Teacher" are, EWS was even better, IMO. It was like a wave came over me during that tune (maybe because I've never seen it live before--I don't know).

And as sick as I thought I was of "Panama" that song took on a whole new sound to me Friday night. It was awesome. The crowd was so into it.
And as far as the encore. I actually don't mind leading the encorre with 1984 and even Jump, but they have to follow that with something else. Ya can't end on Jump!!

(but they do)

Anyone else have a little post-concert depression? I haven't felt this way since I was a kid.

Oh well, hopefully Worcester will fix that.

jimmy812 · 10.07.07, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvH_316_5150

How long was the guitar solo? I know it ain't a review...but it will get answered in here and then I will move along?.....

Put it this way, I've heard him do longer, but it was just fine. He doesn't need to do the Mean Street thing (since they play the song). I'd say the solo was between 8-10 minutes.
Oh and speaking of solos, ya can't miss Al's solo. That 2nd half of it, the jungle part, is amazing!!! He's done it before on a few tours but it still shouldn't be missed.

mike zack · 10.07.07, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simplerhym

I agree to some extent however, I think that the trade off for less jumps, kicks and running around IS the improved vocals. Watch any boot of classic VH with all of that athleticism and the vocals are rushed, talked, off-key...in other words, SECONDARY. It's not 1984, but we are hearing the great songs, performed way better than the Police did their tunes and if a little bad-ass needs to be sacrificed, so be it. Remember, jerking off with water bottles, saying I'm gonna fuck your girlfriend, drinking Jack and making fun of Quiet Riot, etc, are all funny when the singer is 28 and you are 17. Not as much so when he's 55 and you're 40ish. And I did note that he didn't do the water bottle thing at Mohegan.

Great post! It's all about the music!

James in New York · 10.07.07, 07:02 AM

A little taste of his solo from 10-5

http://youtube.com/watch?v=BzyeFqKewsw

Hank Bukowski · 10.07.07, 07:35 AM

Well, I've seen 'em a bunch of times: VH II and Fair Warning tours, 5150 (Live Without a Net shows), OU812 and 2004 tours, Dave with the EEAS band and the Sam and Dave tour and I think this is the best they've been since the mid-'80's.

Alex is the premiere hard rock drummer of our era. He is still bringing it. Eddie is back in top form and sounded great. This is the guy who inspired so many guitarists, playing the songs that made him a legend. Dave sounds better than he has in years; good vocals all night long. Wolfie sounded good. Kept it going during "...Doctor", played and sang well all night. He seems to be getting comfortable up there. But, yes, having Mike there would have made it perfect.

This is the Van Halen I grew up loving. It was nice to have them back.

punk5150 · 10.07.07, 10:17 AM

The show was great. No complaints here. I just thought that this was 15 years to late. I agree that Dave was not his usual self but the man is 50 and if you have seen him over the years you would know that he has tamed down his act quite a bit. You guys complaining about the songs such as rehearsing something different as the tour goes on.. What song did you want them to play that was missed ?
Eddie needs to move around a little more and look like he is having fun.
I think Eddies solo was the worst I have ever heard by him.

Goldustgrl · 10.07.07, 12:18 PM

I think the show was great! I also agree w/ alot of people (who are not complaining but simply observing) in saying DLR wasn't the showman he used to be. ... but ya know what,I'm not the 18 year old girl from 1978 either - he was STILL awesome.
Eddie was fucking great, his solo was alot shorter than shows from earlier years. (I've been seeing VH since '78.)
Had an amazing time, lots of energy in that arena - and am looking forward to seeing them again in NY next month.

Anyone wondering if they should go or not, GO!

Brett · 10.07.07, 12:49 PM

Another note please. If you didn't go to this show, please stop posting in these reviews threads. That's not what they're for. You can ask questions in the official thread for each show. That's why we have separate review threads, JUST FOR REVIEWS! Thank you.

DaveRobertsSteal · 10.07.07, 04:07 PM

I thought the EVH solo was enough. I am a guitarist too,but I think it is shorter cause the shit he used to do in it,like the "Mean Streets" intro,they play now and I agree Al was awesome,and we all know these guys' talent but I'd rather no solos and like 2 or 3 more songs live. What are your thoughts?

Hank Bukowski · 10.07.07, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldfan77

Yep, it is Van Halen with David Lee Roth, and it is quite awesome to even see them together again, no question. Unfortunately the band asked to be judged harshly, and altho I do not think anyone is actually judging anyone "harshly" here simply due to the overall glowing reviews, I do think that Dave has lost more over the years than Al or Ed, or probably even Mike, as stated in my earlier post. His singing is great IMO, but his movements and stage presence are certainly not on par with the "25 years later" performances of both Ed and Al. Anyone who saw Dave "pre 1984" will know exactly what I'm talking about, another poster stated something too earlier about "a lead singer with an attitude" and nailed it right there---Dave was a consumate showman and flat-out badass in the day, one who definitively carried the bands' "persona" of badass too---that is/was all part of Van Halen and their early music that is being brought to us--- and altho he is still bringing it to the table as far as his singing goes no question, I think what those of us who are mentioning anything are simply looking for the rest of that original badass persona package, rather than some Vegas liberace impersonation that simply doesn't fit. This is Van fucking Halen with David Lee Roth ladies and gents, and should never, ever, be confused with any part of Dave's later solo career, including the Vegas schtick and garb. JMHO.

That's true. That big, bad, JD drinkin', life of the party Dave was not what I saw Friday night. But Dave sounds good and he's probably singing more than he ever has. I don't think he could shout through this show like he used to.