I just don't think I can stomach two hours of Roth.

Yep, that's exactly why I never considered getting a ticket. Dave sounds about as bad as expected in the video. The other three sound great. If Sammy was back I might have gone to this.

Wolfie may be a better bass player but he lacks the charisma of Anthony IMHO. Michael was an important part of that bands identity back in the day.

I love Michael Anthony as much as the next VH fan, but he never laid down licks like this, even during his "solo." Funny comment about Roth, Sixty....He is every bit "Ronald McDonald." And Wolf has some serious bass chops he's laying down in that clip. Particularly impressive is when he does the tapping in unison with his pop. I also notice he plays effortlessly and sounds pretty damn good on the vocals.

What's probably even scarier is supposedly he prefers playing drums and is very good behind the kit. He also plays a pretty mean six string according to a few people in the know. All this footage and discussion of him has me very curious about his forthcoming solo album. I would guess he's playing most if not all the instruments on it. I wonder how talented he is as a writer, arranger, etc.?

He is a better player than Michael Anthony, but nobody really listened to Van Halen for the bass sound.

The background vocals of MA are much better and such a huge part of that classic VH sound. I wonder if there are still rumors of canned background vocals like they did on their first reunion tour in 2007?

[Edited on 7/13/2015 by WarEagleRK]

He is a better player than Michael Anthony, but nobody really listened to Van Halen for the bass sound.

The background vocals of MA are much better and such a huge part of that classic VH sound. I wonder if there are still rumors of canned background vocals like they did on their first reunion tour in 2007?

[Edited on 7/13/2015 by WarEagleRK]

Exactly my point WE. Michael might not have been the best technically but there is more to a performance than technical expertise.

Michael laid down the foundation with the Alex for Diamond Dave and Eddie to do their thing. He was also had his own personality and fans as a Van Halen show in those days was as much about the performance as it was the music.

Roth is so cheesy, it's downright embarrassing. Not much left of the voice either. "Three of us like rock'n'roll, and one of us likes dance music". EVH was spot on about Roth.

Soundcheck from opening night in the link above sounds pretty good without Roth, maybe that is the tour they should have done.

I'm trying to figure out if the backing vocals are live or still canned.

[Edited on 7/14/2015 by WarEagleRK]

Backing vocals sound live to me.

Skip to the 2:50 mark and listen to this. They should take a page out of journey's book and hire this guy for a tour. I bet VH fans would go bat shit over this guy singing with the way they are playing now. It would be epic IMO!!! I bet they could break out more old demos like they did with the last album and do some new killer music with a voice like that.

[Edited on 7/14/2015 by sixty8]

I don't listen to VH, but I read an interview Mike A did recently. he said he played like Eddie wanted him to, Eddie V said "stay out of my way" which means play simply, pedal on the root. Mike is no slouch and can play in most musical styles. wolf's tone sounds sh!tty and he's way too busy, in my opinion.

To my ears he tosses in those tasty licks rather sparingly and so isn't "overplaying" all that much. When he does play a fill it seems to me it's very original and rather short. A good balance I'd say. As far as his tone, It's hard for me to really tell given it's, I assume, recorded on a cell phone and posted on Youtube and I'm listening to it on mediocre computer speakers.

I think he(Wolfie) is a different type/style of bass player, not better,IMHO.
He plays his bass like a guitar at times...flash/ pyrotechnics does not equal better. Dont confuse the two. People talk about Billy Sheehan. Yeah, he is good, but he plays his bass like a guitar. It's okay at times, but balance it out. People like Barry, Otiel and Woody can keep it in the pocket but also take it out alittle bit and jam ,but not over the top. Those guys are masters of the bass.

It's comparing apples to oranges. You cant compare Angus to Derek to Keith Richards to Django Rheinhardt to Paul Kossoff to Mick Ralphs to Alex Lifeson to Gary Rossington to John Lee Hooker to Ronnie Wood...where do I stop?

If you are judging players on flash and how well they move up and down the fret board... then Blackmore can bury about anyone!!! 😉 😛 😉
Does not mean better. I know its a matter of opinion , but I am just as content hearing Angus and Malcolm riff it out and Hooker pay down some hipnotic funky grinding blues riff then anything else. Not better, just different.

IMO Wolf's playing is not busy and he knows just when to add in some spice and to my ears it sounds awesome and not out of place at all. I think as a band they sound as good if not better than ever live. Eddie's sobriety is also obviously positively affecting the band and their playing.

I don't listen to VH, but I read an interview Mike A did recently. he said he played like Eddie wanted him to, Eddie V said "stay out of my way" which means play simply, pedal on the root. Mike is no slouch and can play in most musical styles. wolf's tone sounds sh!tty and he's way too busy, in my opinion.

Exactly, no one is saying that Michael Anthony is the second coming of John Entwistle, but his harmonizing and bass licks were an integral part of their sound. DLH is beyond spent at this point and Wolfie is doing what his dad is telling him to do. Shame that these guys apparently can't get along with anyone.