by wilvisdillon » Sun Nov 04, 2007 3:03 am
I was at the Fox show in Detroit. I was able to get a set list (from the moniter speaker that literally fell on Mike Anthony). There may be some changes in the order of the actual concert but this comes from the set list.
Mad Anthony Express: Running with the Devil, Light Up the Sky, (set list says "Immigrant" but not played), Hear About it Later, Little Dreamer, Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers, Somebody Get Me a Doctor, Bottoms Up, Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love.
[Review - Mike was fun to watch and Vic had the guitar parts down. However, Mike isn't a great lead singer and kept switching between his lead and harmony parts. If he's gonna continue this type of show, he needs to work on pitch and note choices. However, he's one energetic dude and, as usual, his fun is contagious]
Sammy: Sam I am, Piece of my Heart, One Way to Rock, Fall in Love Again, Open, 3 Lock Box, Girl Gets Around, Best of Both Worlds (set list says Good Enough and Top of the World but not played), Can't Stop Loving You, Why Can't This Be Love, Serious Ju Ju (set list says Little White Lies but not played), I Can't Drive 55, Heavy Metal, Mas Tequila, When the Sun Don't Shine (not on the set list - brand new song which he jokes about being accidentally printed on backstage passes as "Where the Sun Don't Shine"), Dreams (Acoustic), (set list says Right Now but not played)
[Revew - Many post show comments where regarding the shortened time of this show by 30 minutes. From the list above, and the songs left out, it's easy to calculate the time missing. I could't see any obvious reason for the shorter show as Sammy seemed in fine voice when he took the time to sing. Which brings me to my critique.
I love Sammy and have seen him with Van Halen three times. Each show, he sang his heart out and entertained. However, the emphasis was always on the music. I also love David Lee Roth, yet had always seen his solo show as pure show with not really much musical value. While apparently, we now live in the Bizzaro Van Halen universe where Dave puts on the tight structured performance and Sam sings a few words, signs dozens of autographs (instead of singing) and slaps the asses of the bartender girls. The show is supposed to be loose but it often bordered on sloppy. It comes down to the subjective opinion of how you like your rock show. I preferred Sammy with Van Halen and I prefer David with Van Halen, I don't prefer either on their own. (Even though they both have solo material that I love)
Also, I noted that the tequila had a way of bringing out the worst in some members of the audience.
HOWEVER, there were high points. His voice was in good shape and his new song "Open" sounded great. The acoustic performance of Dreams is dropped a few keys but works and added a pleasant change. Vic and Sammy played great guitar throughout the show. The suprise addition (to the band even) of the new song was a good and is the kind of "loose" performance that does indeed work.
For next summer, if he's going out with Montrose, Mikey, and the Wabos, I hope that he gets rid of the people on the stage and maybe breaks up the mayham with more straight singing. He's too good of a singer to not be showing that off a little more.
Was it worth going to, yes. Was it the best show, no. Was Van Halen with David better, yes. Am I gonna get my but chewed for the review because I "don't get it" maybe. Will I go again, hell yeah. It is Sammy Hagar.