*** REVIEWS for CLEVELAND 10-10 *** - Page 3

DFVH5150 · 10.12.07, 04:04 PM

If you've read this far, and God help you if you have because I'm a shitty writer with lots of run-on sentences with a too many parentheses and these things: "--," I mentioned capturing the moment. I would advise this. First, like someone on the DLR Army Forums I think mentioned--don't look at the set list! Be surprised! And if you going to watch any of the Youtube vids--keep it to a minimum. I only watched three songs--one's I knew they were gonna play anyways--in case there was a nuclear war before the show or something and I never got to see Dave and Eddie (and Alex) again live.

Back to "capturing the moment," my favorite parts of the show were when I shutted the fuck up, stopped screaming (and that was the loudest I've ever screamed since the day I was born), stopped jumping and pumping my fists, stopped playing air guitar (and I rule in that category--try me), stopped singing and dancing, and just watched. I only had the self-control to do it a couple of times, but when I did I just watched and captured the moment. It's hard when Dave and Eddie have short hair, but picture it being 1982 again for a split second. I didn't look at Wolfie, that's for sure. But I pictured them having the long big hair and it really worked. A couple of times, for a split second, it felt like I went back in time. That was my favorite part.

In conclusion, after all of these years of torture--waiting, rumors, the three previous let-downs--it was everything I ever dreamed, but way better. Here's to selling my pancreas and going to some more shows this year and next, and then a new album. The original Van Halen is back and ruling the world once again. The world is a better place. Amen.

P.S. Fuck the Browns, but GO TRIBE!

JimmyG · 10.12.07, 06:06 PM

Dude, I really loved reading your write-up ... just close your eyes for a second and your back in 1982 ... I must agree ... the world is a better place for sure ... If you a thinking about coming to Washington, just let me know ... I am trying to get other Linkers to get together ...

Thanks for the moment captured ...

Van Halen Rules!

Jimmy

Eddymon · 10.12.07, 07:13 PM

I can't believe that I still have a month and a half to go!

DFVH5150 · 10.13.07, 02:55 PM

Wish I was going to D.C., but am probably going to Detroit or East Rutherford next. Thanks for the invite though. And for all of you who were at this show, I was the one, if you saw me, wearing the sparkly-silver/tiger-striped bell-bottoms (circa. DLR '84) with the 1984 shirt and the red bandana around the neck with the black-haired seniorita. Had to do it up this once! And if any hoods fucked with me on the Rapid on the way home, I was gonna give 'em a DLR spin-kick to the head accompanied with a "Wowwww!" Hey, Kiss fans can dress up...

loveevhsince79 · 10.13.07, 05:47 PM

DFVH - I agree with your assessment of DLR doing I'll Wait which is not one of my favorites but I thought Dave did it well and was a little bit of a showcase as to how hard he has worked to really sing the songs. He did a nice job with Little Dreamer as well and I loved the lighting they had on him with the smoke coming out from behind him. Again, not a favorite as I would prefer to have them play Secrets for one of their slow songs but I was impressed with Dave's voice especially after seeing so many bootlegs which were not great. He was giving all he had to give vocally. I think it is proof positive of how much this all means to him that he does not want to be the weak link in the production. My only criticism would be the sailor hat and blow up microphone. Both props were corny but the rest were pretty cool especially the top hats which I thought looked great. You could also see by the look on Edward's face that the mic is not one of his favorites as he looked pissed and about ready to throw it somewhere never to be seen again.

PhilRocksinOHIO. · 10.14.07, 04:34 AM

I was thrilled to learn that Van Halen was going to get together with David Lee Roth.I hadn't seen them since 1981 with the Fair Warning tour here in Ohio and hoped that this past Wednesday would be far better than I hoped.Well,I got more than I bargained for. Their show in Cleveland was a thing of beauty...the band performed like they never broke up in the first place and looked like a fine oiled machine. Eddie showed us all why he is still the master of the guitar,Alex is still a wizard on the drums,Wolfgang definately looks like he belongs...both as a bass player and as a singer.Those of you who think that Michael Anthony needs to be back with VH will be plenty surprised with Wolfie's abilities.And Dave? Well,Dave is Dave,and that's a very good thing.He is quite frankly the main reason why I bought tickets for this show...the only VH CD's I own are from the 1978-1984 era...

There were a lot of older people at the show,which was very cool for me.I did see a few kids there making me ask the question...WHY??? I don't cross over to their generation of music,leave mine alone.

If there was any disappointment for me,it was that VH didn't perform "Me Wise Magic," which would have been a great song to open the show with...but nonetheless it was truly one of the greatest shows if not the greatest I ever seen. I look forward to their next CD and of course their next concert here in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame city.

PhilRocksinOHIO. · 10.18.07, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFVH5150

P.S. Fuck the Browns, but GO TRIBE!

OK....what does this have to do with Van Halen's concert in Cleveland? Or are you throwing your additional $.02 for good measure, since that is really all it's worth? Tell you what...the city of Cleveland doesn't need your support for our baseball team, especially from a Pittsburgh fan such as yourself.Go away.

How do I really feel? Please read my sig below.

VivaVH · 10.18.07, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilRocksinOHIO.

How do I really feel? Please read my sig below.

You must be that guy who James Harrison powerslammed on Christmas Eve a couple years ago. Still bitter?

Anyway, with that little distraction aside, back on topic. It sounds like a great show. Wish I could have made it.

PhilRocksinOHIO. · 10.18.07, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VivaVH

You must be that guy who James Harrison powerslammed on Christmas Eve a couple years ago. Still bitter?

Anyway, with that little distraction aside, back on topic. It sounds like a great show. Wish I could have made it.

Nope it wasn't me.Sorry to disappoint you. Seriously though, that guy was a total asshole...I will never defend the guy or anyone who does that.

Still bitter? About what?

Anyhow,you did miss a great show...IMO it was better than the Fair Warning tour back in 1981. I sincerely hope this lineup is back to stay.

Brett · 10.18.07, 04:22 PM

Here's a review from one of my best friend's (guy who runs BeatleLinks.net) who flew out Cleveland to see the HOF and VH. He's a big fan, not a nut of course, but a musician, and very knowledgeable about the band of course.

Yo man. The VH show was good. Great set list. Eddie played really well. The sound in the arena sucked though, like bigtime, just too muddy or whatever, no distinction between the different sounds. Alex was right on, very steady. The kid looked very akward up there, just stood there really. He plays fine, but he's just out of place. It's looks like what it is - some young punk playing with old fucks. Especially when he did a walk on that thing they have going into the audience, he looked really bad there, just lumbered around, stood there, lumbered back. The backing vocals seemed ok, it seemed like Eddie sung more than before. Dave was just ok, his voice was fine considering some of the stuff I've seen and heard, but he just didn't put as much effort into it as he should, he was like just mailing it in on several songs. And on a few he didn't do important parts, like talking in the breaks and stuff, just stuff that makes the song memorable, he either forgot to do it or just didn't care. Like in Hot For Teacher, probably my first or second favorite song, nobody did any of the talking in any the breaks, they just sat there while Ed did that little riff, and then the whole band came in each time. You're expecting "I dropped my pencil" or something else, and instead you get nothing. One that was awesome was Ice Cream Man. He got up alone with an acoustic, told a good story, then started it, he sounded awesome without the band, very strong voice, and good playing. I thought to myself - why didn't he sing like this the entire show? Overall it's worth seeing man, just because it's Dave back with the band. I know you like the early stuff, and they played a lot from early albums, you've seen the set list. You're pretty critical and you'll probably be upset at this or that, but overall I think you'll be glad you went.

DFVH5150 · 10.19.07, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilRocksinOHIO.

OK....what does this have to do with Van Halen's concert in Cleveland? Or are you throwing your additional $.02 for good measure, since that is really all it's worth? Tell you what...the city of Cleveland doesn't need your support for our baseball team, especially from a Pittsburgh fan such as yourself.Go away.

Sure it does. And hey, it's a fun rivalry (hardly though), so lighten up anus. Anyways, I'm not gonna argue with a fellow VH fan in these joyous times.

PhilRocksinOHIO. · 10.24.07, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFVH5150

lighten up anus.

Classy.

Exactly what I'd expect from a yinzer.

right-here-i-say · 10.24.07, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilRocksinOHIO.

Classy.

Exactly what I'd expect from a yinzer.

Go put the fire out on the lake. This is the yinzer nation.

BottomsUp72 · 10.24.07, 10:17 PM

I know I'm a little late getting my review of the show in, but I wanted to wait a bit and get my thoughts together. Anyway...

Overall it was just ok for me. I'm kinda surprised that I'm even saying that. Maybe it's because I'm still listening to old bootleg cassettes, looking at old photos, watching old videos. Basically trying to relive old glory days etc...

Things I liked...

Hearing the classics. Nothing beats 'em. There wasn't any "down time" like at a Van Hagar show. No real slow songs which was nice. Crowd was very loud. Dave seems to be getting his scream back a bit more than what I've seen in the past. Dave and Ed seemed to be having a good time playing together.

Alex just gets better with age. I could watch him play all night.

Things I didn't like...

Missed Mike of course : (

Ed noodles a lot more than he used to. For me it was more sloppy than just improvising. His solo was the same as it's been for the last 20 years only much less inspiring for me. Same old, same old...The guys now trying to do what Ed did 25 years ago sound better playing it now than Ed does...(Brian Young)

Dave, I love the guy, but he tries to do to much with his voice these days and he just doesn't have the range for it. For me it was almost embarrassing at times. Hearing him try to hit "high notes" (High notes for Dave that is) is almost painful to listen to. At his age he should just stick to how it was done on the album. I still don't know what's going on with his voice. It sounded great when he played the HOB in Cleveland. It was cracking all over the place this time around.

I think I like the sound of Dave's solo bands these days playing the classics than Van Halen themselves. The whole fiasco with the Michael Anthony situation put I big damper on it for me as well.

Oh well. I'm actually looking forward to Dave touring small clubs solo again. If Mike somehow makes a return to VH I'll definetly be there for it.

Peace..............

twonabomber · 10.24.07, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by right-here-i-say

Go put the fire out on the lake. This is the yinzer nation.

the lake didn't burn, genius...it was the river.