Music DVD Review: Van Halen - Live: Right Here, Right Now
From BlogCritics.org:
As we all know, Van Halen parted ways with their flamboyant original frontman David Lee Roth in 1985 and almost immediately regrouped with the already rising superstar Sammy Hagar firmly at the helm. “Van Hagar’s” 1986 debut album, 5150, was a massive success, becoming the band’s first #1 album on the Billboard charts, and spawning three hit singles.
A wildly successful tour soon followed, which you can still witness on the excellent Live Without A Net concert DVD. The video was originally released in 1987 on VHS and was finally transferred to DVD in 2004. Even if you are not the biggest fan of the whole Van Hagar era, you’ve got to admire the band’s bodacious performance on that DVD.
Live: Right Here, Right Now was filmed over the course of two nights, 14 & 15 May, 1992, in Fresno, California during the band’s For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge Tour, otherwise known as the F.U.C.K. Tour. This was the second (and I’ll refrain from saying “and final”) concert video to come out of the Van Hagar camp, but it certainly wasn’t their best. I’ll lay the brunt of the blame squarely in the lap of the brilliant director, Mitchell Sinoway, who obviously thought it would look just super to constantly intertwine footage from both shows throughout each and every song.
I guess if seeing each of the band members change clothes and instruments 50 times during the same songs is not a distraction for you, then you will just love this fine MTV video that Mr. Sinoway has thrown together for you. It’s one thing to combine footage from different shows, just not throughout the same damn song - constantly! This obviously led to some audio/video synchronization problems too, and it didn’t exactly provide for a great live feel.
I thought for sure that Van Halen would make things right after completing their hugely successful 2007-2008 world tour that reunited them with David Lee Roth. I attended one of the shows on that tour, and it was a monster. One classic song after another from each of the first six incredible Van Halen albums, and the boys were all playing like kids again.
One of them actually was a kid, seeing that Eddie’s teenage son Wolfgang took over bass duties for the unceremoniously dismissed Michael Anthony. They reportedly filmed a few shows during the tour, but, incredulously, I have not heard a peep about any new release yet.
The Right Here, Right Now setlist is a big disappointment, to say the least. Where the CD version features 24 songs, the DVD only includes 16 - and most of the best songs were omitted. The entire For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge album is performed, along with a couple of OU8I2 and Roth-era songs thrown in for good measure. You also get the Sammy Hagar solo number “Eagles Fly,” which he performs alone on acoustic guitar.
This would not necessarily be a bad thing had F.U.C.K. been one of their best albums, but it was probably the worst of the first three Van Hagar albums, and was definitely one of the worst Van Halen albums. The album certainly has it’s share of cool tunes like “Poundcake,” which made for a great opening number, as well as “Runaround” and “Right Now,” but it should not have been called upon to carry an entire concert DVD on it’s frail shoulders. I mean “Pleasure Dome” and “Spanked,” but no “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” or “Panama?” Come On.
You do get extended solo spots from all involved, starting with Michael Anthony’s infamous “Ultra Bass” solo, which is so over-the-top-ridiculous that it is a hoot to watch. Once. Although Mikey is actually a pretty decent bassist, as you can witness on the current Chickenfoot tour, I doubt you’ll have too many bass aficionados glued to the screen admiring his virtuosity on this one, like you will during Eddie’s “316″ solo spot.
Along with the gorgeous “316″ song itself, Eddie’s solo also incorporates several other of his key solo pieces and signature riffs, including “Cathedral,” the “Mean Street” intro, and of course “Eruption.” You also get the see Alex’s drum riser elevate about 30 feet in the air at the end of his powerhouse 8-minute drum solo. Papa Van Halen must be proud.
For the most part, the DVD transfer turned out pretty good. The picture is much darker and more grainy than what you are probably used to with the more recently filmed DVDs, but it still looks very clean and colorful. The longer shots of the entire stage, and those showing the crowd fared the worst.
Aside from the ridiculous video editing, the next biggest disappointment was the lack of any 5.1 surround track. Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo is all you get here, but at least it was a very good one. There were no special features included on this DVD.
Van Halen were (are?) one of the greatest live rock bands ever, whether they were fronted by Diamond Dave, Sammy, or Gary Cherone - well, maybe not Gary Cherone. But this mediocre release certainly does not do them justice. Let’s hope they make up for it with a new, kick-ass, 2008 tour DVD sooner than later.
Set List
01. Poundcake
02. Judgement Day
03. Man On A Mission
04. When It’s Love
05. In ‘n’ Out
06. Right Now
07. Ultra Bass
07. Pleasure Dome/Drum Solo
08. Spanked
09. Runaround
10. Finish What Ya Started
11. Eagles Fly
12. 316
13. You Really Got Me/Cabo Wabo
14. The Dream Is Over
15. Jump
16. Top of the World
Ratings:
Performance - 7/10
Production - 6/10
Filed under: Merchandise, Van Halen
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August 29th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Live without a net was better.
But this rocked as well.
Lets see the lost 83 video.
August 29th, 2009 at 10:50 am
well i liked it i thought it was realy cool i also have a live vanhalen dvd with david lee roth its in 1983 tour its not remastered though i found it at wallmart
August 29th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Some of their concerts have not been the best to watch on video, but for this critic to call FUCK their worst of the 1st 3 albums is absolutely insane. I would say OU812 or Balance are a close tie to the worst Hagar version. VHIII definitely wins any contest for worst VH album of all time (that is garbage).
August 29th, 2009 at 11:25 am
This reviewer has it backwards. For Unlawful… was their best with Hagar. 5150 and 0U812 sound like they were recorded in a tunnel. 0U812 is especially bad. Naturally Wired and Source of Infection SHOULD have been Van Hagar’s finest moments, but it seems like the sound was turned down to 2 instead of 11.
However, the reviewer was correct in his analysis of the DVD. The jumping from night to night drove me nuts and makes it look like they’re lip syncing.
Kinda like how they used Mike’s vocals during the 07 tour. Ouch.
August 29th, 2009 at 11:27 am
I liked RHRN but could have been better.
I guess their 2007-08 video footage was used for their upcomming Guitar Hero video game.
August 29th, 2009 at 11:35 am
You know, I just recently watched this DVD again, probably around 3 months ago. I cracked a beer, threw it in there, kicked back in the recliner, and let her go. It had been awhile since I watched. I agree with your assessment completely. I saw 2 shows on the Carnal Knowledge tour and LOVED them. But this DVD is boring. It doesn’t feel like a live show, it is just pretty boring. I agree with you, that this falls squarely in the directors lap, because you sure can’t blame their performance. Live Without a Net blows this away. It feels more raw, more real. Right Here Right Now is too polished. I may put it in again someday, but not for a long time. One way to rock? Eddie’s Solo? Are WAY better on Live Without a Net. No comparison. Honestly could care less about a 2008 DVD too. It was cool to see them. I’m still pissed they didnt include Mikey. I could care less about Wolfgang. Gimme that old Oakland show from 81!!!! Now that would be sweet, but I saw your interview that it doesn’t exist. That sucks because the world would love that. Bottom line - Right Here Right Now?? A real boring snoozer.
August 29th, 2009 at 11:35 am
F.U.C.K. was thier worst album? Is this guy serious? That album was different yes, but man it was a very good album.. it didn’t get a ton of radio play, but whos fault is that? I agree with the DVD, I noticed there syncing of the two shows the day I bought it. But I’ll you, listen to when its love ( I know it a ballad), Sammy sings his heart out, micheal Antony and Eddies harmonies are absolutely flawless, it sounds as close to the record as one can get. Musically I think they knocked it out of the park.
August 29th, 2009 at 11:37 am
By the way check out the Wolfgang school jam on Youtube so you can hear him SING and play. To all the idiots who think Mike’s vocals where piped in, you will be amazed
August 29th, 2009 at 11:57 am
I consider “F.U.C.K the best album and the period ‘91-’93 the peak of their career. Balance was a transitional album and listening to “Human Being” I think if they continued togheter we would have other great albums. Unfortunately it was not so.
I can’t judge the DVD, but honestly the solos of Mike and Alex are very boring.
August 29th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
I agree with the reviewer I bought the vhs version and never bothered to replace it with the dvd version. I haven’t even wathched or thought about watching it since 92. I do hope the VH camp will release a dvd with Dave Roth,I have meny boots but would love to own a well produced dvd with the Diamond one.
August 29th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
DOUCHE!!!
F.U.C.K. is the BEST van hagar !! by a long shot !
what a total piece of douche !
aside formt that , LWAN is a LOT better than RHRN. RHRN cant even be considerted ” live ” if it is a compialtion of multiple sources of footage!
KEEP the F*CK record, KEEP LWAN, LOSE this douche-bag reviewer and LOSE RHRN DVD.
August 29th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Mikey’s solo on this is 100000000000 times better than it was on LWAN. I mean, it was downright embarrassing on that. All he did was slam the bass around. At least on RHRN he played something. Yeah, visually it was a distraction but I still liked RHRN. I just wish it was more like the cd. I’m gonna get shit thrown at me for this, but I really liked the Van Hagar versions of Dave’s tunes, and they all should have been on the video.
August 29th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
I look at it this way anything recorded live from VH (any era), is a must have (DVD or CD). This clown just proves that any putz can write a review!! But this is good news for chumps like the duck, he can still keep his job as the Chick Fil A cow and write crappy reviews too (at least that what he attemps to do when he posts his all knowing VH fact finding views on this site)!! Here’s a tip for the duck - lose the dress, keep the shoes!!!!
August 29th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
What do you mean FUCK being one of their worst albums?!?!?! its one of their best… all its songs are GREAT the only two songs i dont like are spanked and in n out, but the rest is the greatest Van Halen there has been. You can feel the bonding and the friendship in each song. During this time Van Halen felt like a band of friends doing what they like. its one of their greatest albums.
August 29th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Whoever this dude is that wrote this review, is an idiot. F.U.C.K. was definitely one of their best VH Albums during the Hagar era.
I seen VH 3 times in Hawaii during my military days (OU812, F.U.C.K, and Balance). Also caught VH III with Cherone in Noblesville, IN.
Out of the 4 shows that I saw, Carnal Knowledge was definitely the best, and the loudest show during that time.
Although I love all VH albums and there are songs ranging from great to shitty on each album, Diver Down and VH III are definitely their worst two.
August 29th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
for unlawful carnal knowledge was my first Van halen album. I thought it was great. Critics are critics, he can go F.u.c.k. himself.
August 29th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Slow news day.
He’s right about one thing, the over emphasis on F.U.C.K. songs. I saw that tour and it started out with the first 4 songs from the album. Blah.
August 29th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
This guy has no clue what he’s talking about.
FUCK & Balance are by far the 2 best Van Hagar albums.
OU812 is by far the worst Van Halen album.
And people that consider Van Halen 3 to be their worst album need to get their heads out of their asses.
Eddie’s playing on VH3 was the best since Fair Warning.
August 29th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
very good version of jump on this video
August 29th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Hey Dick, head out side and catch your puny little brain it’s wandering again. Right now, you sound like a man on a mission who wants to get spanked in and out of your pleasure dome until judgement day!!! later jerk off!!
August 29th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Horribly written review by a wanker!!!!
August 29th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
F.U.C.K. won a grammy, and certainly was one of the best Hagar albums. The reviewer’s obviously stoned. I did agree that the video, swithcing footage, was b.s. but musically I think they all did a good job. Should’ve had the same set list as the CD though, but I will say Mike’s solo on RHRN was way better that LWAN even if not the better live video altogether.
August 29th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
So much hate! VAN HALEN, just love them! “that’s it that’s all”
August 29th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Right here, Right now: LIVE … is the best Live ever in my opinion! I love Sammy Hagar with Van Halen. 11/10
August 29th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
You are all wrong. F.U.C.K was clearly one of the weakest album, everybody knows that, but Balance was even worse, and I actually like Sammy.
RHRN is on the lame side as concert vids go and pales in comparison to Live.
August 29th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
the dude that wrote this review, dude! wtf is wrong w/ you????? i think you done hit the crack pipe one to many times!!!! rhrn is by far the best video concert they put out fallowed by lwan. the f.u.c.k is also by far their best album/cd, then 5150 then ou812 for the van hagar era that is! so dude, get ur shit strait! just my 2 cents worth.
August 29th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
O.K. lucky, I hope your friends (If you have any) took away your moped keys from you tonight because you sound kinda delusional, everybody knows that, but even worse, you believe the crap that you have posted!!!
August 29th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Could this person be wronger. Holy sh#t! F.U.C.K. was an awesome album. Person could not have ever listened or watched Van Halen. Wow, talk about phoning it in.
August 29th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
This review is about 15 years too late. I totally agree with him that this DVD sucked hard. This tour was the first time I saw Ed and my friend and I thought it was so disappointing. Terrible setlist.
August 29th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
f.u.c.k is the 2nd best with hagar, the 1st one being the best. Judgement day has the best solo eddie did in years. that song rocks. RHRN was huge, poundcake is awesome, Standing on top of the world just makes me feel good. This writer is full of it!
August 29th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
sammy probably picked or influenced that set list as he is quoted as saying that his goal was for everyone to forget roth. i thought the sound was good yet to polished.Sam is a control freak and it got his ass kicked out of van halen which he is still bitter about.Chickenfoot is no vh ASSCAR.Get over it.People are allowed to have opinions other than yours dumbass,so bring it on ya attention freak,but i’m stating mine just like others should state theirs.
August 29th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
I remember the FUCK tour. I was lucky enough to get backstage for the show in Sacramento, which was a few days before the Fresno shows. After the soundcheck, I spoke with a camera man who said they were shooting some video of the Sacramento show as a trial run for the film crew who were going to shoot the Fresno show in film. I was really exciting about the idea because the show in Sacramento ended up being a pretty good concert.
When I saw the live video from Fresno, I was really disappointed. It lacked the energy of the Sacramento show, and my guess is that the Sacramento and Fresno shows were probably equal in entertainment and band performance. Somehow, the magic of the concert performance got lost on the editing room floor.
August 29th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
I loved it! Only his review. Probably a Winger fan! F.U.C.k. great cd! He mentioned Pleasure Dome. Music is incredible! Drum work is great and Eddies chicken pickin not bad and one of the best solos on the cd.
August 29th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Has anyone else noticed that sometimes their posts get removed? I added one to this topic that was critical of VHND and VH and DLR for rehashing a F-ing video from 1992, and now I don’t see it.
Censorship?
August 29th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
All credibility went out the window with “FUCK was probably the worst of the first three Van Hagar albums”. This was the peak of VH in my opinion.
August 30th, 2009 at 12:09 am
mitchell did a shity job,but who ok’d it.fuck is a great cd,pleasuredome is a magnificent piece of music.to me the quality of both dvd’s is pathetic and badly in need of remasterization.but since mike and sam are featured this will not happen.i’m glad i’m a fan of other bands who care about the quality of thier dvd releases unlike eddie and alex.eddie is THE greatest musician of our time,but unfortunately eddie no longer cares about us THE FANS!
August 30th, 2009 at 1:10 am
This sums it up…
“Article Author: Paul Roy
Paul Roy is a network administrator by day and amateur music DVD critic by night.”
As far as news goes, his DVD review is about 10 years late.
August 30th, 2009 at 2:03 am
I still listen to a FUCK song every day. I always felt OU812 was weakest out of the 4 studio albums. Still some good songs though. What bugs me is the amount of rehashing the VH camp does with no apparent care in the package. RUSH’s A Show of Hands was totaly remastered with Lufeson at the helm and I can hear more detail than I ever did. I don’t get the sense the VH camp put much effort in putting these onto DVD. I saw RHRN once when it came out. Terrible editing. Eddies guitar goes from red to yellow. Hagars drawers from yellow to Bravehart. LWAN.. watched hundreds of times.
August 30th, 2009 at 6:43 am
The RHRN dvd could have been better. the jumping footage during the same song was irritating to say the least. But it
still rocked. Mike’s solo was not too impressive untill they did the “pleasure dome” riff to lead into the drum solo.
That showed how tight a band they were. Wolfgang will never play that tight no matter what his father says. His vocal harmonies will never match Mike’s. Eddie’ solo is always impressive to watch, no matter what. Now we need a live video with Diamond Dave. Sammy got two, for christ sake!!!
It’s Dave’s turn to shine on a live DVD.
August 30th, 2009 at 8:13 am
A decent DVD but LWAN was a better show in terms of energy and song choice. As Mike Anthony mentioned in a previous interview, the VH brothers have tons of footage that may never see the light of day much to the disappointment of us, the fans! Let’s see a dvd with Roth from the last tour, with extras like backstage footage, the stage design, EVH’s equipment, soundcheck footage…put it out and the fans will buy it BUT…make it worth it!
August 30th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Everyone posting here is a critic! The subject matter is subjective, not objective. Let’s all go F.U.C.K. ourselves!
August 30th, 2009 at 8:38 am
How can anyone in their right mind say that F.U.C.K. was the worst of the Van Hagar era? Seriously? Making such a statement really eclipses the reviewer’s credibility (as Saj mentioned).
Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion. That’s assuming that opinion was given while not under the influence of drugs, alcohol or alien mind control.
August 30th, 2009 at 8:52 am
great DVD. PERIOD……….
August 30th, 2009 at 8:52 am
This IS Van Halen news because that’s all there is right now……Blame Ed or Dave if you want , just don’t blame VHND…It isn’t their fault VH is not giving new interviews or any other Media goodies like other bands do.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:11 am
F.U.C.K is a great album. This video moves around way too much.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Good morning J5149.5! Hmmm, I don’t recall ever saying that the Foot was anything like VH! Maybe you just threw that in so you can sound all bad ass while calling good ol SCAR a name (golly my feelings are so hurt)!! I got to give you credit though, ASSCAR was a nice try - but as usual, no cigar!! To be frankly honest, I could give a rats ass what your opinion is about anything, and I could care less what people think about my opinions!!! You see, opinions are like assholes, everyone has one!!! Maybe you can hook up with the duck and both of you together can try to put me in my place - that would be entertaining at the least!!! “Another dream goes up in smoke, so I fire me up another toke”!!!!!
August 30th, 2009 at 9:19 am
J5149.5 your my hero!!!! later putz!!!
August 30th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Crappy Review - F.U.C.K. is one of the worst! Poundcake - Runaround - Top Of the World - The Dream is Over - Judgement Day. Give me a break!! All great tunes!
August 30th, 2009 at 10:05 am
If my comments bother you so much J5149.5 why do you read them??? Hmmm, you know, you don’t have to read all the comments posted here if you don’t want to!! I’m sure a lot of people simply ignore me and could care less what I post because I’m such a jerk to the haters, why should it get to you??? I’ll tell you why, because your weak a minded fool!!
August 30th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Opps my bad, I meant your a weak minded fool J5149.5 - on a side note who ever that Gomer was that I slammed about the hooked on phonics maybe you should send a copy to good old SCAR, It seems I am having difficulties this morning after a long Sat night and a couple of bottles of Cabo!!! You should try to get out more and have fun J5149.5, maybe you won’t be so uptight!
August 30th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Oh yea J5149.5, remember you told me to bring it, so I did. Was that good enough for you??? If not, please let me know if there is any other way I can irritate you!!! Have a wonderful Sunday, I know I am!!!!!!!
August 30th, 2009 at 10:40 am
The mighty SCAR is back with a vengeance!!! It’s funny that so many people think it’s a bad review because they don’t agree with him. At least make an intelligent argument as to why you disagree instead of “this guy is an idiot, F.U.C.K. was awesome.”
August 30th, 2009 at 11:30 am
The editing is not only poor because of the differnet shows used per song, the edits are often too fast. “Live Without a Net” had a better visual feel.
But editing in general is geared toward the attention deficit disorder crowd these days. Shots are cut too fast, and it is hard to lock in on what you are seeing.
August 30th, 2009 at 11:41 am
The F.U.C.K. album was awesome. Guitar work, vocals, lyrical ideas, and unbelievable bass lines. There is a tab book for bass guitar just for that album. It was a very innovating album for the guys. Spanked, Man on a Mission, Poundcake, Runaround, Top of the World, Judgement Day and of course Right Now. All these songs had there own identity. I have come to think that these critics are morons. They critic things they they dont like anyway. Propably a rap fan! Dawg gone.
August 30th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
As David Lee Roth used to say, critics prefer bands like Elvis Costello because most critics LOOK like Elvis Costello.
August 30th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Who wrote this article? Whom ever it is, you sir or Mam are a jack ass! Leaving VHIII out of the mix ( Which actually had a few good songs on it) In my opinion there is not one bad VH album from either Dave or Sam! There just different. I can also honestly say I love the Live: Right Here, Right Now DVD. So what if the director made a few choices some of us do not exactly agree with! Its all about the music and just watching those guys playing. To conclude Mr or Mrs, Jack Ass, Spanked and Pleasure Dome are good songs and if you could play an instrument you would probably appriciate it even more. Every song does not have to be a radio hit! Sometimes someones interpretation of current events or something that they are dealing with may just be there way of expressing themselves. Which in the case of those songs, I believe were the band expressing themselves. In conclusion, Critics suck!
August 30th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Dude these critics are crazy!!! For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge is a great album. How can they say that this album that has Poundcake, Judgement Day, Runaround, The Dream is Over, 316 ( can’t forget that one) and Top of the World is a bad album. Yea the other tunes such as Spanked, and Man on mission weren’t great but they were still good.
August 30th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
That Diamond Dave saying is so true!!! I bet all the haters like J5149.5 and the duck are looking in the mirror right now thinking, “Damn Dave’s right, time to ditch the birth control glasses and silly hair do!!!!!
August 30th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Allow me to join the choir of voices telling this guy to get his head out of his rear end regarding For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. It is a fantastic album, great hard rock songs, and GASP, you can actually hear the bass on it!
As for this DVD, it is painfully obvious that this was simply a case of “There’s this new medium called DVD, let’s stick the home video on it”, which happened a lot when DVDs first started coming out.
I have the home video, and yes, it is a MTV-style shoot. I don’t hate it, but I’d rather listen to the CD set than watch this.
August 30th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Bleah. It would make me happy to see a DVD release from the Roth era. The entire show from Oakland back in ‘81 (?), you know, the show where those old live vids of Unchained, Hear about it Later, and So This is Love originated. That would be truly stellar. Even a cleaned up and remastered collection of all the live 78-84 vids you can see on youtube would be awesome. But Van Hagar? Sorry. Not no, but, For Unlawful Carnal Knowlegde no.
August 30th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Hey scar. Glad you liked my post.
I don’t have anything against the carnal knowledge album. It’s just not the best way to do a concert. They should have mixed it up more.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Phil’s post made me laugh out loud in spite of myself……Now i guess i can tell people to ‘for unlawful carnal knowledge your self’
August 30th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
F.U.C.K. critics!
August 30th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
A truly awful set-list.
F.U.C.K. was mediocre as well…Van Hagars worst.
August 30th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Hey you, Dick, who cares!
August 30th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Did you here that BubbaCo? Go F.U.C.K. yourself!!! What a chump!!!
August 31st, 2009 at 12:42 am
This rewiewer is a moron!! F.U.C.K. was one of there BEST albums!!
August 31st, 2009 at 1:43 am
We all love VH. Aren’t we all tired of the b.s. music that’s out today. F.U.C.K was a great album, screw the writer! But how sad is it that we are all waiting on some good ol’ VH? I mean how long has it been since we had good ol’ VH? Come on Ed, the honeymoons over man!!!!
August 31st, 2009 at 7:45 am
All those years I went to see Van Halen with Hagar and the guy bugged the shit out of me everytime.Going into the show I was always prepared for his ugly hair and sappy ass wardrobes.It was the 3 others i wanted to see.
The f.u.c.k tour was just as bad as all the rest.However, They made some great music together.It’s just to bad that Hagar is such an annoying clown.
August 31st, 2009 at 9:19 am
Note to Blake - I think you got it wrong, your the annoying clown!! Later Bozo!!!
August 31st, 2009 at 9:44 am
I agree with this author that this video was horrible. I remember being really excited about it coming out because I must have have watched Live Without a Net a hundred times. This concert video was just too slick looking, and just looked like a long MTV video. I was so disappointed when this was released. I watched the video one time with my friend never to be watched again. But I do disagree with this author that F.U.C.K. is their worst album of the first three. I would rank the albums in the Hagar era as follows.
1)5150-I really think this is the only cd that can come close to the Roth era Van Halen.
2)F.U.C.K.-not as good as 5150 but still an amazing CD.
3)OU812-good CD, but terrible title for an album.
4)Balance-I thought Van Halen was trying too hard to be grunge and darker.
August 31st, 2009 at 9:47 am
Agreed blake
When people used to say to me: why do you own ANY of the hagar era albums if you love the orginal line up so much.
I always say: I liked the other 3 in the band.
August 31st, 2009 at 10:34 am
Wow “quack quack” goes the lame duck. It figures only a putz like you would agree with blake!! Any new VH fact findings for us Daffy?
August 31st, 2009 at 11:11 am
Without a doubt one of the wrost LIVE DVD’s ever produced.
The whiole thing is filmed so shitty it looks staged.
This never caught the feel of a good live show like “Live without a net”.
Eiether way none of those dvd’s come close to those old live shows. Especially oakland 81′.
Why those gems havent been released I will never understand.
Wonder why we never got to see sammy and the boys doin’ there version of of the WHO’s “Wont get fooled again” on DVD?
Oh yeah….almost forgot…cause sammy ruined it.
August 31st, 2009 at 11:21 am
Neil:
Good post man…
The reason why 5150 made such an impact and sounds as good as it does, is because 1/2 of it was written by roth and the boys before dave left. “Get Up” / “Summer Nights”/ and “Good enough” have the roth era stamped all over it. The proof is there. Listen to sammy trying to pull a dave during the break in good enough. That whole lame attempt: “Hey waitress! Got any special here tonight?” C’mon it’s right there! This was an album that had 1/2 dave and 1/2 sammy on it. U can easily hear which songs were sammy songs and what songs had dave’s lyrics and attitude.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:22 pm
In regards to 5150 being “1/2 Dave and 1/2 Sammy”
I don’t disagree, but to the band, I say PROVE IT. On the next tour (whenever that may be…) play those songs. Let Dave elaborate a story in the way that only Dave can, and let’s hear him rip up those songs. Probably will never happen, but it would better than having another rehash through the early 80s tour. At least they’d be moving a LITTLE ahead in time!
August 31st, 2009 at 2:57 pm
SCAR = Biggest blowhard on this blog. I suspect he/she has no skins on the wall, and get’s made fun of while in public. Anyone who hangs around these blogs calling people out (and doing so very poorly, I might add) deserves no respect. You can hang around and suck on the Sammy/Chickenfoot teet, SCAR… and keep on banging your head to mediocre efforts. Me…I’ll keep laughing at you.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:22 pm
I hate what they did in this video. I also watched the VHS again recently and couldn’t help but think they should go back and put out the 2 shows separately in their entirety.
Also: I saw Chickenfoot last night at the Tabernacle in Atlanta. The show was “filmed.” Sammy announced to the crowed “we are filming tonight, we’re makin’ a movie, y’all wanna be in a movie?”
I’m not sure exactly what they are going to come out with but he made it sound like it will be different from a standard concert DVD.
About the show:
It was a great show. Four pros at the top of their games having a blast and giving it all to the audience!
Side Note: I am a guitar player and over the years have paid very little attention to drummers on stage; I defy you to see Chickenfoot and not watch Chad Smith. The guy is a monster!
August 31st, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Why get all upset BubbaCo? Your the one that took the bait! Got nobody to blame but yourself!!! Yep, narrow minded haters like you make it easy for me to have fun while at the same time, proving how weak minded you haters actually are!!! As for respect, could care less, I’m here to annoy the haters and will continue to do so as long as clowns like you continue to slam Rock Icons like EVH or Sam, or Mike or Dave etc…!!! It’s like giving you a taste of your own medicine!! Man up and take your medicine!!! I fly The VH (all eras) flag high, maybe you should too!!! Just forget it, your probably too short to reach the flagpole anyways!!!!
August 31st, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Michael Anthony should release a 4 hour DVD of ULTRA BASS solos from all over the world.
September 1st, 2009 at 4:56 am
Van HAGAR was the best
September 1st, 2009 at 8:56 am
CLASSIC =vh= was the best
Hands down the most entertaining live shows….period!
September 2nd, 2009 at 6:41 am
How on earth can you say F.U.C.K was a bad album?????? VHIII or balance were the worst.
September 2nd, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Wow. Balance getting hammered on here. Someone said earlier that there were no weak VH albums. I’d have to agree. Even III had a few good ones on them. I probably listen to Balance the most because I like the guitar tone so much. The live tone of the era was a little too crystal clear, but better than what I’ve been hearing since 98. Ouch. Anyone else notice it? It’s like he forgot to turn the wah pedal off. I owned 5150 II. Fought with that thing.
September 3rd, 2009 at 12:00 am
fuck was most likely the best vanhagar album after the epic 5150
balance was solid but overproduced and 0u812 was a mixed bag and tried to do too much on one disc and should have been 2 discs and the sound is horrible on 0u812 and 5150…
the reviewer is not a true van halen fans with comments like FUCK not being a good gig.. PLEASE.
even classic van halen purest admit 5150 and FUCK had very strong playing….!!
September 4th, 2009 at 9:45 am
this guy either dislikes van hagar or just doesn’t know anything about vh music. whether it’s an original or a cover tune the music eddie writes and plays is like no other in rock history. what sets him apart is that you know it’s ed in the first few notes. whatever the opinions are on any vh album the worst one is still better than most that have been recorded.
September 4th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
What F.U.C.K. was a great album???????
Poundcake
Judgement Day
Runaround
Man on a Mision
The Dream is Over [under rated song]
Right Now [as good as or better than "Dreams"]
Top Of The World [VH's best song on the friggn' album]
RHRN was pretty lame with the switching of nights during the song, also, was at the concert and Sammy does an excellent job on all the clasic VH songs and they put in a couple on the dvd ???
September 8th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
No….sorry…..sammy does NOT cover dave’s songs well at all man. Gimmie a break…
Fan or no fan will tell you that!
If you “listen” you will see that he was never into the songs to begin with. Used to say that he could never “get” dave’s lyrics. So what does sam do? He changes them to make them better. What was “…i got my back against the record machine” in JUMP became “…I got my ass against the record machine” sammy style.
Explain how thats…..better?
Watch me throw up all over my lap!
September 10th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Sit Back Suck Down A Few Cold Ones And Listen To “Pleasure Dome”.And Tell Me That Aint One Awesome Jam Between Eddie,Alex And Mikey