*** Reviews ONLY Rutherford, NJ IZOD Arena *** - Page 3

Dave's Dreidel · 11.04.07, 09:58 AM

It is my understanding that Dave isn't skipping words in Mean Street, they have changed the whole song, intro, outro, etc. It seems they have condensed it into a shorter version.

simplerhym · 11.04.07, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James in New York

They were soundchecking really early, like 3pm or so...
Heard it all the way til about 5pm.
Then shot over to the 5 star.

so you were IN the arena when you heard it?

James in New York · 11.04.07, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edson

What songs did they play during soundcheck??

I really hope tonights blowup does not lead into a downward spiral. The show was extremely magical up into that point. Then from then on out I was just observing Ed's erratic behavior, whipping his guitar chord around, looking happy then mad, of course chucking a monitor, moving Dave's wand 2 feet to the left, then to the right, then launching it.....

interesting!!

They soundchecked YRGM, Im the One, RWTD, Romeo Delight, I'll Wait, & some jams I've never heard. They sounded GREAT & WOlf was having fun with the lead vocals.

Yes, you could hear them from the ticket window area...the guards were cool & let me stay. It sounded really good, like they were in the room. LOUD.

MIKE · 11.04.07, 10:06 AM

I went to the show last night. I had high expectations as I do for every van halen show, and walked away dissapointed. First time thats happend to me. So many people put down the 04 tour, but IMHO it was much better than this show I saw last night. I give a lot of credit to Dave and Alex, they were very good, too bad the sound crew sucks! I'm a long time van halen fan and wish my post could be more positive, but I have to be honest.

ZORBA5150 · 11.04.07, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave's Dreidel

It is my understanding that Dave isn't skipping words in Mean Street, they have changed the whole song, intro, outro, etc. It seems they have condensed it into a shorter version.

He hasn't played the intro entirely correct, and the last little part of the solo is cut from the mid-song solo, and the outro has been really short. Last night was the longest outro I've seen them play though and it sounded awesome. Alex was just loud as hell with both bass drums going during the outro, Wolf was loud too, and Eddie of course wailed along during it.

asilach · 11.04.07, 10:39 AM

Eddie Van Halen should have stayed in rehab.

It seems his "temper tantrums" in E. Rutherford were due to some form of mind altering substance. Bad enough when people spend so much money to see them, but even worse when this behavior is right in front of his son. As a mom of a son Wolfie's age, I was completely disgusted. His son was working his butt off, and Eddie's acting like an out of control spoiled child.

I was in the 10th row, so I could see some facial expressions and body language. DLR kept looking at Wolfie like "I don't know what to tell ya" and you could see Wolfie was very upset, frustrated and disgusted.

The guitar solo was sad, pathetic and pitiful, and neverending.

Eddie, for your son's sake, get some more help.

James in New York · 11.04.07, 10:46 AM

I was 2nd row & it wasn't that bad.
It was comical to most of those around me.
He's cranky with his sound...

& he was soaring on that guitar all night.

He just got frustrated...

shadow5150 · 11.04.07, 11:18 AM

I have read a lot of reviews here and I couldn't wait to hear VH. Dave was great, better than when I saw him with the Sam and Dave show. Alex was as solid as a rock, that guy is amazing. Dave introduced Wolfie to the crowd and he got a real nice applause. I was next to the soundboard last night and throughout all the problems I never saw the guys even move in the slightest to fix anything. Cathedral was so awful, I felt real bad for Eddie. He used 2 Ebay guitars, a yellow with black stripes and a red with black stripes and some white retangles. The yellow one had NJ in black near the plug. I saw Timothy B. Schmidt and Chris Rock hanging out near the soundboard. I have to say it was cool to see Chris Rock singing Panama with the rest of us. Great show overall, not the best but I left happy.

koondoggy · 11.04.07, 11:42 AM

All I can say is Oh my God...everyone is focusing in on Eddie's little hissy fit...who cares? What about the fact that the sound was beyond terrible! The guitar sound was just pitiful! I spent $332.00 on tix and Eddy was barely audible in the mix the whole night. I was in section 110 across from Wolfy but it shouldn't have made a difference...I've sat in the same section for other shows at this arena and the sound was crystal clear. I was hoping by the 3rd song or so the sound would pick up, but no---it was mush all night. And Eddy's playing has deteriorated very badly. The last time I heard Eddy play was 1998 and he was still great. The difference in his dexterity was blatantly noticeable. God, it was so sad to hear (or not hear, I should say) what has happened. Cathedral is the case in point, Eddy just can't play it or much of anything as he once did. I guess I went in with too high of expectations thinking his playing would stay at 1984 tour level. I was sadly disappointed. Wow, I am floored. I thought Dave would be the weak link when, in fact--he seemed to shine the brightest last night. All those tours when the band would carry him...now it's the reverse. Unreal. Anyway, sorry for the downer review but I never imagined Eddy could lose so much of his skills like this.

Edson · 11.04.07, 12:07 PM

Eddie played like a mother fucker...he had sound issues, probably not his fault....and did everybody forget 1984 on....he took his playing to a new level..!!!

yeah...he needs to get his mental act together...but the man can still play...he will always be able to play...

MIKE · 11.04.07, 12:16 PM

You are right on the money Koondoogy! Who would of thought Dave would be the star of the show? Eddie's playing did not sound good at all.

Edson · 11.04.07, 12:20 PM

yes...dave rocked...but ed played most of the shit flawlessly...with the exception of his meltdown...

James in New York · 11.04.07, 12:30 PM

Eddie played GREAT.
Wait til you see the vids of 11-3...
He was on fire.

Edson · 11.04.07, 12:31 PM

James...you have vids?

mike zack · 11.04.07, 02:55 PM

Just got back to Boston. Last night was definately an off night compared to Boston a few nights earlier. Boston was a 10 out of 10. The boys gave their all last night but something was clicking. Seemed like the timing was a little off and as you already heard Eddie was not happy at all with his rig. He was frustrated for most of the second half of the show Off nights happen and I will chalk it up to that. It amazes me when an off night happens some people jump to the conclusion that Eddie's not sober or he's crazy. He may be a little out there but what rock star is not? From where I was sitting (lower bowl Wolfie's side) I could barely hear his guitar in the mix. I had pretty much the same seats in Boston and the sound was awesome. Again just an off night for everyone all around.

I still had a blast. Enjoyed my first trip to that arena. One more left for me on Tuesday in Worcester. I have no doubt they will rebound.