MY REVIEW OF LAST NIGHT'S SHOW

[ZORBA5150]

I saw Dave (for the 1st time) at the Nokia Theater last night in Times Square. No surprises for a setlist based on previous posts. He played "California girls" and "Just a gigalo"- which was quite good- that's Dave's strength in singing- the lounge-like stuff. They also played "Just like Paradise". He pulled out his blue-grass band to play "Jamie's Cryin" and "Jump" (and later did plugged in versions as well.) I've said it before and I'll say it again- the blue grass band is top notch, and I thought it was a nice touch to the show- then all of a sudden they plowed right into "Everybody wants some"- which was great. They also played "The cradle wil rock" which was really good. They opened with "Hot for teacher"- which was just ok in my opinion. During "Dance the night away" Dave told the story about how he came up with the song title and lyrics- the guys tells a great story. - He referred to his former band, as "The great Van Halen band". He did not take any shots whatsoever against his former bandmates. He did chug JD a couple of times. He did do some kicks. He wore a white button-down shirt and black leather pants (with purple stripes on the sides) for all those interested in his attire. and put on a couple of jackets at times. He looked great, and was really into the show. At one point he made a reference to some hot girls on the side of the stage, as "look at those hot sluts over there" or something like that. During the middle of one song, he started singing something about the summertime, in which he sang very well- the bluesy kind of voice. He closed with "Panama", then encored with "1984" into "Jump"- during the solo and stuff- he did the baton twirling. The lead guitar player did a short solo spot early which was pretty good. The band also did a blues-like jam for a bit while Dave took a break backstage. During "Unchained"- Dave tugged on his shirt and pointed to me and smiled because I was wearing a CVH baseball shirt, and I pointed back to him and smiled- I thought that was pretty cool. The audience was pretty loud, and knew most of the words to every song pretty much, even "Cradle will rock". There could've been more chicks there, but those that were there were really into the show. The venue was full or close to being full- way more than I expected. There was some doobage in the air as well.

My review of the band members and the show overall:

Dave- Sang very well. Never was a great singer anyway. He can't hit the high notes, but can actually sing pretty well.- much like Robert Plant does today- he knows what he can and can't do, and doesn't try to stretch himself to the point of sounding bad. Some of the yelps he did sounded good, some did not. He really knows how to work a crowd and get it into a frenzy- he would have no problem doing that in arenas across the country. He was and still is a great showman/performer. How could Eddie and Alex not want to tour with him? And half the time, the crowd would be singing along anyway, so they would drown out his voice. It must be his ego and Eddie's that prevents any reunion.

Toshi- not very good in my opinion. Doesn't really add much to the sound/show.

Lead guitarist( don't know his name) - he was very good, a little too quick to look and sound like Eddie though at times. But very capable background singer too.

Bass player - ok at his instrument, not a good singer at all.

Drummer- ok, nothing special.

Overall- I had a great time, and I give the performance a grade of B+. It is afterall a VH cover band basically. Dave could get a better band in my opinion to back him. And throw in some lost gems like "hang em high" or something.

[punk5150]

I went to the show last night also.
It was ok. Not one of his greatest soundwise. I was in the front and could not hear the band that well. The guitar could have been turned up. The band looks like a bunch of guys he threw together at the last minute but they can play. Played the typical setlist and removed Ice Cream Man and Mean Street. Instead he bored us with 2 songs of bluegrass. His voice was ok. Nothing special.
To much rambling by Roth. At times his bad looks at him like what the F is he talking about. He could have played 3 extra songs if he stopped talking about non-sense.

As for the previous post and comment about Toshi. He is only a rythum guitarist there is not much he can do..

Crowd was into the show, especially when he played the classic VH stuff. Dave looked good even though age is starting to creep up with him.

[smithjc]

The Diamond One is always a show-stopper, he knows how it is and I think he's still got it.

Thanks for the reviews. Wish he was stopping closer than Vegas.

btw - I think age is creeping up on all of us.

[Nickdfresh]

Good reviews, well written and thoughtful...

Lead guitarist( don't know his name) - he was very good, a little too quick to look and sound like Eddie though at times. But very capable background singer too.

He's Brian Young, a solid guirtarist but nowhere near Ed's chops in, or beyond, his prime... From the boots I've heard, he has a hard time pulling off the more wizbang guitar songs like "Hot For Teacher."

Rumor has it, he's also a hypersensitive prick.

[MOJODOJO]

He's Brian Young, a solid guirtarist but nowhere near Ed's chops in, or beyond, his prime... From the boots I've heard, he has a hard time pulling off the more wizbang guitar songs like "Hot For Teacher."

Rumor has it, he's also a hypersensitive prick.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Brian is a super cool guy. I've met him on a couple of occasions and had an opportunity to talk with him several times over the phone and he couldn't have been nicer.

He's also an outstanding guitar player! Of course there's only one Eddie but Brian does a solid job playing the parts!

[SuckaInA3Piece]

Good reviews, fellas. I enjoy reading the non-biased of Dave's current tour.

[Von Halen]

If anybody thinks Toshi can't play, then they need to listen to the Hideous Sun Demons disc. Toshi can play.

[I'm_your_IceCreamMan]

Thanks for the reviews guys! Hopefully, I'll be checking out the Diamond at the San Jose Grand Prix on the 29th - although it's only listed as a 1hr. show, obviously it won't be the full set-list, still looking forward to seeing him!

[Elwood P.]

There was some doobage in the air as well.

More details please.

[JMJ]

i better not hear any bluegrass shit at morongo

i want my cvh

[ZORBA5150]

More details please.

MARIJUANA!

[Bono Vox]

Guys, you're going to love the concert and Dave is polished and sounding better than ever, trust me!

I wanted to add something about the HOB show in Atlantic City and the fact that Dave stayed away from the jibber jabber he usually goes through between songs and this particular show had an excellent pace to it! He honestly hasn't sounded this well in years and his SCREAM is back! It's funny to see other band members take a swig of that BIG litre of JD bottle and the reaction on Dave's face! I'm sure Dave's so immune to the taste that it does nothing for him these days, lol.

Enjoy the concert and we're looking forward to the Cleveland show in August!

[punk5150]

He must have heard the complaints in the audience from the Nokia show. I was there and there was plenty of useless chatter , he could have easily played an additional 3 songs if he cut that crap out of the set....

I saw Bon Jovi the other night and they played for 2 hours and 45 minutes. He spoke less between songs than Dave. Hey no Jovi comments I am from Jersey ...

[bantonelli]

Thanks for the reviews guys! Hopefully, I'll be checking out the Diamond at the San Jose Grand Prix on the 29th - although it's only listed as a 1hr. show, obviously it won't be the full set-list, still looking forward to seeing him!

I'm gonna miss DLR tomorrow at SJ Grand Prix, but for us "ol' bay area" folk, we have the opportunity to see DLR in Santa Cruz at the Catalyst on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22!!! It's a great venue there! Went last year, it happened to be Ray Luzier's last gig with DLR and got a photo opportunity, thanks to MOJODOJO!!!

Hoping for Photo Op # 2, if DLR will allow Show will KICK ASS!! Saw him in Vegas last week, and Key Club Morongo and Pala.....every DLR concert is a treat to see him in action.

Have fun seeing DLR in "Silicone" Valley !!!

[Simon Ribeiro]

Thanks for the reviews.
I wish I was there... .