IT'S ABOUT TIME FOR ANOTHER VAN HALEN UPDATE:
Source:
Melodicrock
The re-union has been announced, the tour dates have been posted and the tickets are selling fast. it's all good in the world of Van Halen. But the band remains extremely quiet, choosing a low key approach over one of hype and mass exposure.
It seems the band will be content on letting the music and their upcoming live performances speak for themselves. I am informed there will be little - if any - media interviews for either the tour or the Best Of Volume 2 release!
It seems the band is well aware of the many questions that have arisen over the past few years and don't plan on addressing those anytime soon! Rather, they plan on just getting out there, playing and putting the past where it belongs.
Work continues on Van Halen's Best Of Volume 2 release. Confirmed for release sometime in early June, (June 8 seems to be holding firm), the collection is - at this stage - set to mirror the format of the band's first compilation package, Best Of Volume 1.
I have been sent some details of the package from a long time contact, which I will include below. But I must state that these details are not yet finalized and true to form within the music industry (and Van Halen!), any or all details could change at the last minute.
It seems Best Of Volume 2 will follow the same format of chronologically organized Volume 1. That is Roth tracks moving into Hagar tracks and finishing with the new tracks.
There are a couple of rumors that I have not personally received any word on - that the compilation could be expanded to a 2CD set - and that the release may feature 1 unreleased
David Lee Roth track from the sessions that took place in 2000. But those 2 points remain rumor only.
The info I was sent says at this stage the CD is a 1 disc compilation, just as Best Of Volume 1 was.
And the tracks under consideration for the set include: You Really Got Me . Ice Cream Man . Beautiful Girls . Everybody Wants Some . Mean Street . So This Is Love . I'll Wait . Hot For Teacher . Best Of Both Worlds . Love Walks In .
Summer Nights . Finish What Ya Started . Black And Blue . Runaround . Top Of The World.
What will create great debate is news that two Gary Cherone era tracks are also under consideration. They are apparently: Without You and Fire In The Hole. Please note that this is not the final track listing, but rather the tracks in the front running for inclusion, as sent to me by one of my reliable sources.
My source suggests the Cherone material could be dropped altogether, with Warner trying to keep the track listing to 16 songs.
Then of course we have the two new tracks - which seems to be the favored option by the label - despite the band recording three new tracks.
I have a little info on these tracks.
It seems the two tracks that are to be included on the new Best Of are both rockers! One of them was described to me first hand - It's About Time is a rock track and apparently "vintage" Van Halen, but with a "modern" sound and a "progressive / techno twist" and some very fitting and funny lyrics.
The new tracks are being produced by Glenn Ballard. Glenn was also at the helm of the new tracks included on Best Of Volume 1.
I am told the album art has two possibilities. One is to be the same as Best Of Volume 1, but with the colors reversed (gold background with black logo and letters). Another possibility is the same logo look, but with an Eddie guitar design as the background. Now that sounds interesting, as the USA Today advertisement featured a similar pattern, as does the updated Van-Halen.com website.
So folks, that's what I have as of right now. Naturally I'll provide any updates should I receive anything new from my few sources and confirm the final details when they are just that - final and unchangeable!
As for the future past this tour? Personally I don't anyone is looking that far. I think the consensus is to finish these new tracks, get out on the road and see how things fly. A long term future and new studio album won't be contemplated until the tour is complete. There is no suggestion at all that anything with David Lee Roth is being considered for the future.
And I should add that there are rumors of an Australian leg of the tour being planned for early 2005. I have a contact with Warner Australia and will update if and when anything further is mentioned regarding this.
Melodicrock"]Andrew@<a href="http://www.melodicrock.com/" target="_blank">Melodicrock[/url]</a>
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