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VH Worcester, MA review 6/19/2004
Before I begin let me restate that I love all versions of Van Halen.
I've seen the following tours: Fair Warning, 1984, 5150 & VH III. (I've also seen EAS, ALAE, Marching To Mars & Sam/Dave Tour)
This was the first time I've seen the band since July 1998 and the first time seeing VH with Sammy since 1986.
I will try to be fair and honest but I understand that if you don't like Sammy nothing I say can change that.
With that said, here we go...
1) Was the show sold out? Yes it was BUT the Worcester Centrum is very small. I was shocked when I enter since I had never been there before. I would say the capacity was 6,000 - 7,000 max.
The crowd: Let's just say the trailer parks were empty in Worcester Saturday night.
2) How did the band look?
*Mike looks the best. he was fit and tan and having a blast.
*Alex looked pretty good. No neck brace and his body was lean and mean like the last time I saw him but his face looks old on the giant screens.
*Sammy is still chubby but I wouldn't say he's fat. He's definitely lost some weight since the Dave and Sam tour. But he is definitely not in fighting shape by any means. The wardrobe is still a little Jimmy Buffet for me but not as crazy as on his last solo outings. He wore yellow pants with sandels and a hawaiian shirt. He then changed into a yellow t-shirt with red sneakers.
*Eddie looks pretty bad. Same hair, raggy cargo pants and boots with the toe missing. I don't get it
he looks like Dee Dee Ramone or as I like to call him "Cabo Hobo" He is very skinny especially his arms. As I watched the show I kept wondering... "Is Eddie dying and is this tour just a last farewell before he goes to his final resting place?"
The set list and my humble thoughts:
Jump - Not great because Sammy doesn't do this song justice like DLR used to. This is an odd opening song. I personally feel they shouldn't p[lay it at all since it is such a signature Dave song.
Runaround - Great
Humans Being - Great
Up For Breakfast - This song sucks just awful.
Bass Solo - Whos cares. I'm so tired of each member taking a solo when they could be playing more tunes. it lacks of originality.
Sombody Get Me A Doctor - Great! This song rocked and Sammy sang just as much as Mike. This was a real crowd pleaser.
Poundcake - Kept the momentum going.
It's About Time - Great another crowd pleaser and i was surprised how many people sang along.
Drum Solo - Same as the Bass solo...who cares.
Top Of The World - This song rocked as did the next did the next two...
Unchained
Why Can't This Be Love
Eagles Fly... then this happened. I own all the Sammy solo stuff and this has never been a favorite plus this is the same thing he's played on the last two tours.
Deeper Kind Of Love - I do love this song but save it for your solo show and let's stop this unnecessary individual band solos.
Learning To See - This song is okay but alot of people went to the bathroom and to get beer during this one.
Best of Both Worlds - This sounded great but people were still in the lobby getting snacks.
Guitar Solo - Okay...Eddie sounded great BUT I would relish some spontinaity in his solos. It's basically the same thing he always does. Which is 316, Cathedral etc etc etc. Shouldn't Eddie be able to just jam something origanl in concert and give everyone including himself a thrill? And since it was Father's Day weekend Wolfie joined Eddie on stage. Eddie touted him as the future which to me is alot of pressure on a 12 year old kid.
Dreams - Stars another monster 3 song set
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love - Another crowd pleaser
Right Now - This one tore the roof off the place.
- Encores-
You Really Got Me - Good
Panama - Good
When It's Love - This is a mistake. there are some great songs on OU812 and this is the only one they played. Plus this is not the way to end a concert. I like alot of the VH/Sammy ballads but not this one.
SOUND:
The band sounded great and played well. They were all smiles and joking and everything seemed A-Okay in Van Hagarville. But in the end I felt like I had seen this show before. Did i enjoy myself yes but I am hopeful for some set list changes before they hit Los Angeles in August. To me these first couple shows, of which I've only been to one, seem like warm-up shows.
Time will tell.
Over and Out,
General Hina
(I did not spell check this)
I've seen the following tours: Fair Warning, 1984, 5150 & VH III. (I've also seen EAS, ALAE, Marching To Mars & Sam/Dave Tour)
This was the first time I've seen the band since July 1998 and the first time seeing VH with Sammy since 1986.
I will try to be fair and honest but I understand that if you don't like Sammy nothing I say can change that.
With that said, here we go...
1) Was the show sold out? Yes it was BUT the Worcester Centrum is very small. I was shocked when I enter since I had never been there before. I would say the capacity was 6,000 - 7,000 max.
The crowd: Let's just say the trailer parks were empty in Worcester Saturday night.
2) How did the band look?
*Mike looks the best. he was fit and tan and having a blast.
*Alex looked pretty good. No neck brace and his body was lean and mean like the last time I saw him but his face looks old on the giant screens.
*Sammy is still chubby but I wouldn't say he's fat. He's definitely lost some weight since the Dave and Sam tour. But he is definitely not in fighting shape by any means. The wardrobe is still a little Jimmy Buffet for me but not as crazy as on his last solo outings. He wore yellow pants with sandels and a hawaiian shirt. He then changed into a yellow t-shirt with red sneakers.
*Eddie looks pretty bad. Same hair, raggy cargo pants and boots with the toe missing. I don't get it
he looks like Dee Dee Ramone or as I like to call him "Cabo Hobo" He is very skinny especially his arms. As I watched the show I kept wondering... "Is Eddie dying and is this tour just a last farewell before he goes to his final resting place?"
The set list and my humble thoughts:
Jump - Not great because Sammy doesn't do this song justice like DLR used to. This is an odd opening song. I personally feel they shouldn't p[lay it at all since it is such a signature Dave song.
Runaround - Great
Humans Being - Great
Up For Breakfast - This song sucks just awful.
Bass Solo - Whos cares. I'm so tired of each member taking a solo when they could be playing more tunes. it lacks of originality.
Sombody Get Me A Doctor - Great! This song rocked and Sammy sang just as much as Mike. This was a real crowd pleaser.
Poundcake - Kept the momentum going.
It's About Time - Great another crowd pleaser and i was surprised how many people sang along.
Drum Solo - Same as the Bass solo...who cares.
Top Of The World - This song rocked as did the next did the next two...
Unchained
Why Can't This Be Love
Eagles Fly... then this happened. I own all the Sammy solo stuff and this has never been a favorite plus this is the same thing he's played on the last two tours.
Deeper Kind Of Love - I do love this song but save it for your solo show and let's stop this unnecessary individual band solos.
Learning To See - This song is okay but alot of people went to the bathroom and to get beer during this one.
Best of Both Worlds - This sounded great but people were still in the lobby getting snacks.
Guitar Solo - Okay...Eddie sounded great BUT I would relish some spontinaity in his solos. It's basically the same thing he always does. Which is 316, Cathedral etc etc etc. Shouldn't Eddie be able to just jam something origanl in concert and give everyone including himself a thrill? And since it was Father's Day weekend Wolfie joined Eddie on stage. Eddie touted him as the future which to me is alot of pressure on a 12 year old kid.
Dreams - Stars another monster 3 song set
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love - Another crowd pleaser
Right Now - This one tore the roof off the place.
- Encores-
You Really Got Me - Good
Panama - Good
When It's Love - This is a mistake. there are some great songs on OU812 and this is the only one they played. Plus this is not the way to end a concert. I like alot of the VH/Sammy ballads but not this one.
SOUND:
The band sounded great and played well. They were all smiles and joking and everything seemed A-Okay in Van Hagarville. But in the end I felt like I had seen this show before. Did i enjoy myself yes but I am hopeful for some set list changes before they hit Los Angeles in August. To me these first couple shows, of which I've only been to one, seem like warm-up shows.
Time will tell.
Over and Out,
General Hina
(I did not spell check this)
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