Sammy on Tour @ Universal Amphitheater in Hollywood

[5150EDU]

Here is the link:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/2000...ichagar_1.html


Sunday December 3 8:42 PM ET

Cheers, Sammy

Sammy Hagar (Universal Amphitheatre; 6,353 capacity $50 top)

By Troy J. Augusto

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Party master Sammy Hagar knows there's only one way to rock, and that's with an electric guitar in one hand and a cocktail in the other. At Universal on Friday, the flashy veteran singer and his band led a musical celebration of his decadent lifestyle that made for two-plus-hours of guilty pleasure.

``Welcome to the Cabo Wabo,'' said the curly long-haired redhead, referring to his Cabo San Lucas nightclub of the same name, after a satisfying run-through of his 1982 track ``There's Only One Way to Rock.''

``There's nothing worse than a sober audience,'' he added, before pouring the contents of his blue-colored drink into the empty glass of a willing front-row partisan. A waitress in bikini and high heels was quick to refresh his drink, presumably made with Sammy's own tequila brand.

The former Montrose and Van Halen singer signed his name to a number of T-shirts and other souvenirs handed to him by the cheering fans up front, then launched into ``Serious Ju Ju,'' a party track from his latest album, ``Ten 13.'' And such is an evening with the fiftysomething Hagar, who mugged and hugged his way through a show that was hard not to enjoy.

The performance was powered by a number of rock radio favorites that included 1973's ``Space Station #5,'' from when Hagar was in Montrose; '80s rock radio staples as ``Three Lock Box,'' ``I Can't Drive 55'' and ``Heavy Metal''; and a couple from his decade in Van Halen, reworked versions of ``Finish What You Started'' and ``Why Can't This Be Love,'' that put the emphasis on the vocals instead of lead guitar (sorry, Eddie).

The show, sans an opening act, also included a number of serviceable tracks from Hagar's three post-Van Halen solo albums, including ``Little White Lie,'' with keyboardist Jesse Harms blowing some mean harp and encore entry ``Marching to Mars.''

A rowdy mid-set medley of blues oldie ``Who Do You Love'' and The Who's ``Magic Bus'' finally prompted Hagar to light up one of the many joints that were thrown to him. About three dozen singing and dancing fans were assembled on a ramp behind longtime Hagar drummer David Lauser, adding further bar band flavor to the affair.

Presented by House of Blues Concerts. Band: Victor Johnson, Mona, Jesse Harms, David Lauser. Reviewed Dec. 1, 2000

[5150EDU Note: I wonder if he told the story about writing the lyrics to Right Now at 3 in the morning while Ed played the melody in the next room like he has the last two tours. Cool story but often repeated.]

[Glenn]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 5150EDU:
the curly long-haired redhead


launched into ``Serious Ju Ju,'' a party track from his latest album

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>These two seperate points amused me. Especially the second one; has this reviewer actually heard that song?



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The Michael Jordan of Van Halen websites!!!
www.vhlinks.com

[5150Matt]

it was a great concert, although i must say he needs to rework his setlist, especially when it comes to VH tunes. i've seen him three times in the past 13 months, and he's done the same three VH songs - "Top of the World," Why Can't This Be Love" and "Finish What Ya Started." not only does he need to do different VH tunes, he needs to do MORE of them ... and i don't think the band is a limitation (if victor and co. can handle top of the world, they can do "Poundcake," "Feels So Good," "Summer Nights," etc.)

it was quite obvious at the L.A. show that the crowd is most alive when he plays a VH track - certainly much more alive than during any song he played off Ten 13.

[Eddymon]

Tickets for Sammy at the Lowell, Mass. show on January 12th. go on sale this Saturday for anyone interested.
Not Me.

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Do you smell what Eddymon is cookin'

Aruba here I come 11/19/00

Well let me roll up to the sidewalk and take a look here,,,,,, woooooaaaa!!!! she's beautiful.

[5150Matt]

agree, kujo; although while he crucified it, i'm glad he played part of it (i've never heard him do the song live before); but it certainly would've been much, much better had he involved the entire band and played it the way it was supposed to be played.

glad i'm not the only one who noticed how strongly the crowd reacted during the VH material; love sammy to death and i'm glad he's still out there producing new material, but he's GOT to realize he was never as popular pre- or post-VH than he was when he was fronting VH. so don't ignore the past, man, embrace it. without question, he sold many, many more albums in his 11 years with VH than he did in his entire montrose/solo career. granted, much of that had to do with eddie, alex and michael, but the point is, other than "55", he's most recognized for his years in VH. as such, there's no reason why at least half of his show shouldn't be dedicated to VH material ... just as the setlist from DLR's solo gigs should've been at least 50 percent VH.

[kujo]

i was at the LA show too. The crowd did go ape shit when he played the VH stuff........only 4 of them too.

But he totally crucified Cabo Wabo at the end of the show.
I knew he would want to mix it up a bit but he butchered a great song..........

Great show, but lost points for the desicration of a great VH tune........

kujo