This record is titled "Tribute to
Van Halen - Best of both Worlds". The title is misleading, since only 6 tracks off this record are from
Van Halen's impressive catalogue. A more true title would be, a tribute to
Van Halen and their 2 former singers, since both David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar solo stuff is included. The disc divides in 2 parts, where the first belongs to David Lee Roth and the Sammy stuff rounds off the album.
The album opens with the strongest cut
Panama with great vocals from Richard Kendrik and old Aerosmith guitarist Jimmy Crespo does Eddie justice with his great playing.
George Lynch smokes on
Shy Boy, which is neither a
Van Halen or David Lee Roth track, but a track DLR bassist
Billy Sheehan wrote for his band Talas. The version rocks big time with Jason McMaster on vocals.
TNT and Westworld's
Tony Harnell is supposed to do vocals also, but I cannot recognize his otherwise characteristic voice on this song.
Enuff Z'nuff seems to have captured the party mood of
Yankee Rose in best David Lee Roth style. The vocals are sung by Chip Z'nuff and he is in fine form. His hoarse voice is all over the track along with great guitar work. Definitely among the best versions, because
Enuff Z'nuff and Chip in particular, add own personal flavor to the song.
In my opinion the best part on
Take Your Whiskey Home is the fabulous acoustic guitar intro from Eddie
Van Halen. Unfortunately Amercian Dog leaves out the acoustic in favor of an electric guitar.
The highlight on the Sammy Hagar part is Shane "The Impaler" Volk's version of
I Can't Drive 55. Shane's vocals are full and unlike most of the other Hagar impersonators, Shane' voice is personal instead of imitating Sammy Hagar's great vocals. Shane is also frontman in Full Tilt, who pays homage to a recent hit of Sammy Hagar,
Mas Tequila.
Former Kix singer Steve Whiteman handles vocals on the party tune
There's only one way to Rock. The song is well performed even though I have never been a fan of Steve Whiteman's vocals - but thumbs up for not sounding like a Hagar wannabe.
All in all most of these songs are already classics. All songs are performed close to the originals and thereby leave out any nice or unpleasant surprises. You pretty much know what you get. However, as a
Van Halen fan there is no substitutes for the originals.
Written by
Michael Tuesday, September 16, 2003
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