Van Halen - The Downtown Sessions - "You Really Got Me" Video...

[Fairwrning]

Im fucking shocked honestly..When did these guys actually get hit over the head and decide to release some material?? Kudos indeed..but damn, Dave only sounds decent on the last minute..he decides to quit singing through his nose or whatever the hell that was...band again sounds TIGHT!!

[FORD]

Ironic that ELVIS, of all people, would have a problem with a band sitting around and playing their songs on acoustic guitars.

Geezus, have you forgotten what you did in 1968??

[Zing!]

Ironic that ELVIS, of all people, would have a problem with a band sitting around and playing their songs on acoustic guitars.

Geezus, have you forgotten what you did in 1968??

But imagine The King doing that fat and bloated in 1977. Well, that still probably would have been cool - but I dig Elvis' point - this IS Van Halen we're talking about, a certain level of excellence is expected. However, seeing a raw, off-the-cuff =VH= is worth the price of admission for me. I will admit that they could've have used a second take on YRGM. Glad it won't be on the bonus disk.

[kwame k]

I know, right! And what's with the negativity? We should be excited about this. I mean, we're getting new VH, they're throwing tidbits our way which is something they couldn't easily do back in the day, and they're exploring a little. Giving us new stuff. I personally am stoked. Why shouldn't I be? Why shouldn't you be? I don't know!

Yep, in the last few weeks we have been given more from this band then we have ever had......

I'd love to see VH do more acoustic music, I can't wait for The Sessions......hell, that's Dave in his element.

Was this the epic reworking of YRGM that we've all been waiting for?

Fuck no! Looks like they sat down played it and said, "Close enough, next", that's a confident band right there!

[gbranton]

I don't care that it's not perfect, after 26 years of darkness it's a revalation just to see them together at all. It looks like a BAND taking some time out from flexing their creative muscles to do something fun as opposed to some guys e-mailing music files to each other so they can sit down with a laptop and add their parts. And THAT to me is the best part of the whole thing.

[Fairwrning]

I like they didnt dress it up..very raw indeed..Dave needed to warm up a bit tho...

Is Dave getting " Joe Cocker" Disease...seriously..lots of jittering with the hands while singing..Ill fuck off now...

[mohican]

Van Halen acting like a band.....who would of thunk it?

Exactly. Ed is smiling at Dave like it's 1981.

[neuralfraud]

regarding all of elvis's complaining..

Dave sounded very thin but it also sounded like he was trying to be soft so that's most likely why. When he brought up the intensity his voice thickened up. He definitely sounds older but having heard tattoo, I don't expect to be disappointed, so who cares?

[kwame k]

I don't care that it's not perfect, after 26 years of darkness it's a revalation just to see them together at all. It looks like a BAND taking some time out from flexing their creative muscles to do something fun as opposed to some guys e-mailing music files to each other so they can sit down with a laptop and add their parts. And THAT to me is the best part of the whole thing.

That's it......

I'm thinking that this was just a, "Hey guys when we're in NY let's hit the studio and just hangout and vibe", kinda of thing and not some military precision, strategic studio "Session".

[Northern Girl]

Wow...never thought in a million years I would ever see that happen. Can't wait to see the rest!

That said, I'm glad that song won't be on the album. Not every song works acoustic, and that one really does not work for me! So many other choices that would have been better for Dave.

Funny watching Dave with ants in his pants. When he did the radio show, he did the whole 4 hours on his feet. The man can't sit still! Ha!

[Carloscda]

Maybe an VH-1 Unplugged Special with Van Halen followed by a behind the music??

Imagine the out-takes that's in the vault!!

[chi-town324]

who would have thought we would see something like this a month ago? fucking keep it coming boys!!

[dazzlindino]

Dave must be doing pushups, bench presses and curls, because with all that flexin' elvis wont shut the fuck up...what a dork....
lets hear and see your version of YRGM on acoustic...well comon big boy bring it......

[FORD]

Maybe an acoustic VH-1 Special with Van Halen followed by a behind the music??

I could see them doing Storytellers with this acoustic format, but I can't see a Behind the Music at this point. Probably better NOT to do one, if it just dredges up all the shit from the past, and gives Cheddy McDonald another vehicle to talk shit about the band.

[fryingdutchman]

This is amazing!

It's like we've been smacking at a pinata for the last 4 years and it finally burst open...and now all the goodies are falling on our heads.

[chi-town324]

This is amazing!

It's like we've been smacking at a pinata for the last 4 years and it finally burst open...and now all the goodies are falling on our heads.

all that and more

[DONNIEP]

Of course this is what Dave was doing solo 8 or 10 years ago, doing acoustic versions of Van Halen songs in his house.

I wonder if the video for the second single is going to be them driving through a tunnel being chased by the Van Damn triplets and a bunch of dwarfs.

I certainly hope so.

And I thought I was the only one who liked the BBQ video

I have to say, I was wrong about the whole acoustic thing. I really dig this clip. Reminds me of when he was doing this with James, BYoung, Ray and Toshi during those morning radio interviews a few years back (damn that was a tight band!).

[hain23x]

Thing about it is, Eddie and Dave could really do some cool acoustic blues stuff if they weren't worried about jumping off drum risers(said as a metaphore of course).

I'd love to hear their version of side 2 of Exile on Main st.

[TAKIN WHISKEY]

I dig it!

[mohican]

I like how Dave says it's the first Van Halen live recording completely ignoring that Van Hagar shit.

Yes, what a stab! Hagar can't stop talking about vh while Dave and the boys consider him and the hagar era nonexistent.

[Northern Girl]

kinda worried about the Tardive movements Dave has been showing, Tardive dyskinesia or Parkinsons

Nah! It's still "Monkey Hour!" He's got a surgically implanted disco beat.

[mohican]

Nah! It's still "Monkey Hour!" He's got a surgically implanted disco beat.

Thanks for the reminder. I was starting to worry.

[kwame k]

Thing about it is, Eddie and Dave could really do some cool acoustic blues stuff if they weren't worried about jumping off drum risers(said as a metaphore of course).

I'd love to hear their version of side 2 of Exile on Main st.

Damn.....that'd be something.

What an album, BTW

[lesfunk]

I'll see your Downtown sessions and raise you Strummin with the Devil

[clarathecarrot]

You drummer cats can actually see some of Al's footwork he would usually be using behind the big set, I think that is amazing there it is something , I have never seen before..awesome.

[VHJay]

Van Halen needs to keep this stuff coming. This is AWESOME!!!!! Fan-Freakin-Tastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I like that it was raw with all the warts on it. That was true rock-n-roll!!!!!!! Dave definitely understands his place in Van Halen, and Van Halen's place in rock history. What a cool thing to see.

[qikgts]

Nice to see something new that was totally off the cuff and done in one take. I dig the whole thing except Dave's thru-da-nose parts... Once he let's it rip, the whole game changes.

I'm so happy that Van Halen is entertaining us!!!

[PETE'S BROTHER]

I kinda agree with that, but it's a professionally shot piece released by the band and the record company...

professionally shot with stands coverin' al's face. eh. it is meant to evoke the feeling of your favorite band goofin' around in your living room, for fuck's sake.

[steve]

Dave's...throat...is...completely...closed...up.
Elvis is right.
He sounds just like I did trying to sing in my car the other day...GETTING OVER MY SINUS INFECTION.

Love VH, love DLR, but they need to re-record this or somethin when Dave's throat heals after whatever FLU or whatever he had.

In the Cafe Wha performance he sounded fine.

[steve]

http://youtu.be/BL7jFMRcLd8?t=2m49s
I feel like a dick in that last post, but if DLR was capable of this 2 years ago, he can certainly do better.
I applaud the idea, but not the execution.

[conmee]

You think he would prefer if it was colored?

Fucking RACIST™©®!!!!

That is all.

Icon™©®

[Full Bug]

Damm, not getting the video in Canada either....

[guwapo_rocker]

Damm, not getting the video in Canada either....

See post #22

[NATEDOG001976]

Fuckin' AWESOME!!!!

[VAiN]

It seems someone forgot to call Ray Davies.

He must have done pretty well out of Van Halen over the years you wouldn't think they would have had a problem.

I seem to recall an interview with Ray where he was pretty much being a jealous cunt about the whole thing... I suppose I understand - when VH plays your song, your version becomes obsolete.

Dave also said that this was a documentary...........

Yeah man, my ears perked up there too.... a documentary, Dave? Yes please. Man.. I can't help but feel like this is going to be a grate year for us.

Can I get a fuck yeah??

[nitroDave23]

Fuck yeah, any new video is just more icing on the cake.

Glad they don't seem to be hostile/hating each other.(except Al looks like he needs a hug,or a cupcake...lol,ah who am I kidding, a fucking stripper is more like it.)

[ZahZoo]

Damm, not getting the video in Canada either....

Go South young man...

[LoungeMachine]

Damm, not getting the video in Canada either....

Retaliation for Nickleback

[ZahZoo]

Dave's...throat...is...completely...closed...up.
Elvis is right.
He sounds just like I did trying to sing in my car the other day...GETTING OVER MY SINUS INFECTION.

Love VH, love DLR, but they need to re-record this or somethin when Dave's throat heals after whatever FLU or whatever he had.

In the Cafe Wha performance he sounded fine.

Well geez Bob... errr I mean Steve... Were you sittin there thinkin them kids in the Moron TaberTackle-Box Choir can sing better than ole Diamond Dave... Call in Bones the patient is sick!! Damn it Jim... Sorry but all homogenized rock singers suck... this patient suffers from acute in your face originality... I diagnosed this right before Lieutenant Rand's nekid steamin eyes... It's not treatable... Damn it Jim err... I mean Steve...

[DONNIEP]

So what? Dave wasn't in pitch-perfect form? When was he EVER in pitch-perfect form??? Pick a boot and I can guaran-damn-tee you that Dave just sang it however he wanted to! This isn't a boot of a 29 year old Dave belting out the classics. So FUCKING what??? Who among us can honestly say that they either look or sound just like they did back in highschool??? As much as I wish I did, hell, I don't!

Somebody give me a DRINK!!