I actually was at this concert when they filmed the video. I attended the concert on the second night of a two night stand. The concert was pretty much like what is seen on the video with the exception that quite a few songs were left out. What was not seen on the video that we saw in person was the band playing "You Really Got Me","Good Enough", and "Wild Thing". But probably the best part of the show that was not seen on the video was Van Halen playing their big hit at the time..."Dreams". During this song, Edward Van Halen was playing the keyboards with the guitar slung over his shoulder, and when it was time to play the mid-song solo, he whipped the Kramer around into his hands and cranked out a massive solo. I was amazed that this part was not shown on the video. Despite the stuff left out, this concert video is a good documentation of an early Hagar era VH show. The filming could have been a bit better, as could the sound, but I think the old New Haven Arena was to blame for that part.
3 Reviews
Van Halen Live Without A Net
a_baron9 March 2014
Two and a half centuries from now, historians and music fans alike will look back on this period - from the mid 1960s until the early 90s - the same way classical music fans look back on the age of Beethoven today. Hard rock, heavy metal and melodic rock are almost always at their best live, and this is one of the very best from the tail end of rock music's golden age.
Van Halen kick off this concert with "There's Only One Way To Rock", which was written by lead vocalist Sammy Hagar before he replaced David Lee Roth. Hagar is no mean axeman himself, and the twin lead here is the perfect way to open any show.
These guys are what rock musicians were meant to be: talented, extrovert, and at times outrageous. As showmanship goes, they want for nothing. In addition to Mr Van Halen's guitar virtuosity we see a splendiferous bass solo from Michael Anthony, and more than a little audience participation.
Nothing deep from these all-American kids, no "Stairway To Heaven" or "Xanadu", just good rockin'. And did anybody ever do it better?
Van Halen kick off this concert with "There's Only One Way To Rock", which was written by lead vocalist Sammy Hagar before he replaced David Lee Roth. Hagar is no mean axeman himself, and the twin lead here is the perfect way to open any show.
These guys are what rock musicians were meant to be: talented, extrovert, and at times outrageous. As showmanship goes, they want for nothing. In addition to Mr Van Halen's guitar virtuosity we see a splendiferous bass solo from Michael Anthony, and more than a little audience participation.
Nothing deep from these all-American kids, no "Stairway To Heaven" or "Xanadu", just good rockin'. And did anybody ever do it better?
A good time was had by all!
mm-399 May 2011
When Eddie still had it. There was no David Lee Roth in this video, but Van Halen was in their prime when they taped this concert back in 1986. Some of Van Halen's biggest hits were played, Dreams, Panama etc. Eddie's guitar solo was excellent. One can see why he was the guitar legend. One can see why guitar hero is such a popular game! There is the usual skits, playing up the crowd, drum solos, which blended well to make a great over the top 1980's rock/metal concert. The video was well preformed, produced, and directed. I give "Live without a net" a 9 out of 10. One gains a good perspective of 1980's southern California rock/metal form this concert. A must watch for fans of the above mentioned genre.
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