All photos on my blog are © 2012 Andrew Talbert unless otherwise noted. If you want to see the best ones let’s get together….
Remember you can click the photo to enlarge it on your screen.
Well. How do I sum this up. If you go back to my last show write-up you can see my excitement about going to a Rock and Roll show anytime. This link will take you back to the last time I saw Van Halen in 2007 in the same house.
http://downsouthradiohour.blogspot.com/search?q=van+halen
I have seen these guys many times including the years with Sammy Hagar. I really like all the music and anyone who knows me knows I think Sammy Hagar ROCKS. But back to last night. I had pretty high expectations for this show. The first thing I heard after they guys just sort of walked on was “Unchained.” I think my smile almost broke my face. I thought it was pretty clear about the message on this one:
Change, nothin’ stays the same
Unchained, and ya hit the ground running
Change, ain’t nothin’ stays the same
Unchained, yeah ya hit the ground runnin’
Let’s see my thoughts from last night in a nutshell were the acoustics and sound overall were not so great. The band should be a bit tighter but overall the performance was good. Dave’s voice was not perfect but his performance and celebrity made up for it. Wolfgang was good on bass but I miss the guy I won’t talk about who rocks the bass in Chickenfoot. http://madanthonycafe.com/burrnmag/ I guess if the band configuration we have today is what it takes to make this show then so be it. Alex was hitting the drums very well last night. And Eddie? Well he is one of the best ever and anytime I can get in front of a stage with a guitar great it makes my day! In summary, I enjoyed myself and there were moments that really made me smile. I am really glad there are still bands like this one that are surviving and still making new music.
I heard some lady come out last night and complain about not being able to hear. Well I can recommend some great earplugs! http://www.etymotic.com/ I can hear just fine this morning thank you very much and yes it WAS REAL LOUD! All those Peavy 5150s on one stage are you f’in kidding me? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peavey_5150
Here is a great video link before you read on. “Hot for Teacher” Go watch this then read the next segment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIIQFUhT1V4&feature=fvwp
Before I go I should mention a favorite moment or two last night. “Beautiful Girls.” I love that song. I really like the beat and the way only Eddie can make that guitar sound. Of course the only showman who can lay the vocal down is David Lee Roth. It was very cool! “Hot for Teacher.” Yeah I liked it. “Eruption?” Well that was the moment for me. I just stood there and took in the moment. That is such magic on a guitar. I guess that moment was what I really left with.
She was a-seaside sittin’
Just a-smokin’ and a-drinkin’ on ringside
On top of the world, oh yeah
She had her drink in her hand
She had her toes in the sand and whoa! Ha, ha
What a beautiful girl, ah yeah
What a sweet talkin’ honey with a little bit o’ money
She turn your head around
Creature from the sea with the looks to me
Like she like to fool around
What a snappy little mammy gonna keep a pappy happy
And accompany me, to the ends of the earth, ah yeah
Ah, that’s why I said
Here I am, ain’t no man of the world, no
All I need is a beautiful girl
Ah yeah, beautiful girls
Hey until next time, I’ll see you, down the road…