Ed's playing on the 2004 tour begining to end question

[Bad to the Bone]

I have some bootlegs from the 2004, but I have not had time to sit down and really analyze things so I have a question about Ed's playing. Did ed's playing seem to get better or worse as the tour progressed? I remember reading that he had hot and cold shows but overall how would you rate his playing at the begining of the tour to the end?

[perticelli]

Tough for me to say. I saw him fairly early in the tour in philly. He was awesome to my ears and the enrgy was incredible. It was a great show. It wasn't typical Ed virtuosity and amazement, but after the time off, i wasnt expecting it to be perfect.

Then I saw him a month later in New Jersey and i had ring seats. I stood directly in front of Ed for the entire show, about 6 inches from his feet.
I was clearly in heaven and awe and it stands as the greatest concert experience as my life. Even the interaction with Ed and Mike and Sam and Alex with me was great, and they personally each interacted with me during the show.

Ed's playing that night was not great. It had greatness in it for the majority, but there were times i had no lcue what he was playing, and to be honest, i dont think he did either. He was clearly inebriated, but i dont begrudge him that, its rock n roll and its always been his performing way. But as to the question of his overall performance, it was 8 out of 10. Anything that isnt a 10 out of 10 for him is substandard, not as pressure that he has to live up to, but as a historical view ..he's ALWAYS been an 11 out of 10 every time i saw him prior to this tour, so it was noticeable.

Again, im not dissappointed and probably not the best person to ask for an objective opinion, but this is how i'd answer.

[Eric]

I saw them in Portland which I believe may have been the first show of the third leg? Anyhoo, I had read some really bad reviews prior, and right before Sammy came out and said some critical things about the tour. In my opinion, I thought Ed was great! I had seen them 4 times since the 1980 tour and I really didnt notice a difference in his playing, except that his solo was definately more off the cuff than before.

Im a guitar player too so I have some insight.

[SuckaInA3Piece]

I think it got worse as the tour went on. Having not toured for so many years, and then coming out the gate with an 80 show tour, that's gotta be tiring.

[willyum]

I thought Portland was awful and it got worse towards the end.

His solo was not good. He butchered the Little Guitars intro.

[Mario VH]

He was great in Toronto and not as good in Montreal when I saw the band. The entire Montreal experience was a poor one because of the person I went with. I'm still glad I got a chance to see the band twice.

[White Lightning]

Saw him in Columbus, he was good, not great, but was still on for the most part. His solo was more of a showcase for Sustainer and Floyd Rose abuse-but mind-boggling at the same time. Two months later in Cincy, it didn't seem like that was the same player-he was just disinterested. He fucked up going into a couple songs at the Columbus show-would stop, apologize to the crowd, with that big EVH grin, and the band would break his balls for a sec and move on. None of that in Cincy-if he fucked up, he screwed up royally, but didn't seem to care. The love for the crowd and the band wasn't there, and it was really sad to see. I agree that the tour was too long for someone coming back from cancer, a broken marriage, and six years of inactivity.

[the_atomic_punks_rule]

The early shows were way better than shows on the third leg. The tension was clearly evident and EVH was slackin' a tad as well.

[Van Squalen]

I think it was hit or miss all the way through.

I saw him in Vegas, and he was less than on fire.

Second night at Staples a week later, he smoked (except for that meandering solo).

[tommytom11]

i saw 5 shows that tour including phoenix and the first night in LA which were generally thought by most to be the best 2 shows they did. i am fortunate in that i live in LA, have been around the guys since they were signed and have seen every tour they have ever done multiple times. that being said, Eddies playing those 2 nights, except for the rediculous solos, was about the same as an off night for him on any other tour they have done, which is still acceptable. kind of on a par with the US festival when he was completely wasted but got thru it. the other shows i saw, especially the last night catastrophe in tuscon, knowing what he is capable of it was hard to watch, even embarrasing. those nights there were probably many guitar players in the audience who could have played the set much better than him. the last night in tucson was like watching someone you love dying in front of you. i am as big a fan of his as you could be and am not happy saying these things at all. unfortunately thats the way it was.

[ZachenFoot]

I think it was hit or miss all the way through.

I saw him in Vegas, and he was less than on fire.

Second night at Staples a week later, he smoked (except for that meandering solo).

Absolutely. I'd say his strongest was around July 3-August 5, because from boots I hear, he was on every single night. We got him first night, second leg in Chicago, and he sounded fantastic. And before I started collecting, I had no clue how bad Eddie really was, because we were given a pretty good show. Having around 35 boots from the tour, I agree with Squalen when he says it was either a hit or miss...

[Angelina]

When I saw him in Jersey I though his playing was pretty good. Van Halen put on a awesome show. But people have said that his playing got worse near the end of the tour.

[TOM_5150]

Ed was amazing in Houston. Great tone, nice chops and always smiling. I did notice everytime Sam approached Ed, he'd walk away.....Too funny!!

[willy4pres]

He kicked ass in San Diego, it was the best VH show I have ever seen (going back to 1988).

[MEANBEE]

saw the omaha show and he was godd ole eddie bad ass.