Van Halen – Best of Both Worlds (2CD)

Allo !

Here’s to one of the best compilations I’ve ever heard.

Eddie Van Halen (EVH) is one bloody heck of a guitarist. I don’t even know how to start describing him. He rocked to stardom in 1978, starting off his self-titled album with Eruption. Yes, Eruption, the song that always comes up in all top 10 lists of all time solos. Guess what, he was just fooling around in the studio when his producer liked what he heard and just recorded it. Viola! Eruption! The song that revolutionized guitar playing technique, the song that introduced to the world how tapping should be done.


And so eruption kicked off the CD. David Lee Roth, VH’s famous front man who sang for them till 1986 before pursuing his solo career, lends his wonderful voice on most of the tracks here. Most of EVH’s early guitar magic can be found on this disc … classics include “Aint talking about love”, “Jump” and “Can’t stop loving you”. VH was also known for their EXCELLENT covers of songs, which include a rockish version of “pretty woman” and “you really got me” by the legendary The Kinks.

The 2nd disc mostly contains Sammy Hager songs, who came in for Roth after he left. So this album is kind of a tribute to both their singers and hence the aptly named “Best of Both Worlds” title. Favorites include “Panama”, “Running with the devil” and “Why can’t this be love”. VH experimented more with keyboard sounds on this album and it must be said he was stepping more into the pop genre from his initial hard rocking sounds. 3 live songs at the end, Roth songs sang by Hager no less, sounding superb, showcasing the geniuses of EVH and the charisma of Sammy Hager.

On a more technical note, I do advise all guitar players to listen to a bit of EVH, even if his hard rock sound is not your cup of tea. His use of techniques, though not invented by him, is very well fused into the songs he plays. If you could, get a live concert or a video of him playing, watch him play, tap, dive the whammy, and smoke cigarette puffs. And notice that the band usually plays with him on guitar only ie no rhythm guitar. Or himself at the keys. Heh. It’s fantastic. With all due respect to Hendrix and Page, EVH is IMO the best guitarist to ever play. [But of course this is so subjective]

Van Halen is :
Eddie Van Halen (god of guitar)
David Lee Roth / Sammy Hagar (vocals)
Alex Van Halen (drums)
Michael Anthony (bass)


I just cant stop loving this album. Listening to VH just reminds you how cool rock and roll used to be. I just hope every year that EVH gets inducted in the to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, for he truly deserves a spot in there.

Song Title
1. Eruption
2. It's About Me
3. Up For Breakfast
4. Learning To See
5. Ain't Talkin' Bout Love
6. Finish What You Started
7. You Really Got Me
8. Dreams
9. Hot For Teacher
10. Pundcake
11. And The Cradle Will Tock...
12. Black And Blue
13. Jump
14. Top Of The World
15. (Oh) Pretty Woman
16. Love Walks In
17. Beautiful Girls
18. Can't Stop Lovin' You
19. Unchained

Song Title
1. Panama
2. Best Of Both Worlds
3. Jamie's Cryin'
4. Runaround
5. I'll Wait
6. Why Can't This Be Love
7. Runnin' With The Devil
8. When It's Love
9. Dancing In The Street
10. Not Enough
11. Feels So Good
12. Everybody Wants Some!!
13. Right Now
14. Dance The Night Away
15. Ain't Talkin' Bout Love (Live)
16. Panama (Live)
17. Jump (Live)