David Lee Roth - Skyscraper
The second solo outing from the Van Halen vocalist was released in 1988, the album featured (like the first) a supergroup of Virtuoso musicians, as well as the ultimate showman Mr Roth.
The album has not really stood the test of time, the production in parts seem a little pedestrian and the songs sound as though they could have had a little more time spent on them.
Guitarist Steve Vai's imprint is, however, weaved everywhere through this collection. His playing is outstanding, as is bassist Billy Sheehan. David's decision to not use long time producer Ted Templeton, and produce it himself with Vai as co-pilot, gave the album a more commercial and varied sound than its predecessor 'Eat 'Em And Smile'. This can certainly be heard on lead track 'Just Like Paradise', a top 10 hit in the States at the time. It is a song that is a fist in the air anthem and a good sing-along albeit a tad sugary.
Just Like Paradise Video
To satisfy Roth's rock fans he brought you 'Hotdog And Shake','Bottom Line' and opener 'Knucklebones'. 'Knucklebones', in particular, is a great song. The vocal production is superb with the way the two different Roth vocals comes through the speakers, one urgent and rocking and the next laidback and relaxed (listen to it through headphones and see if you can hear it).
The album also suffered from having to much of Brett Tuggle's keyboards on it, especially on the last half. Tracks like 'Stand Up' and 'Hina' come off worse because of it.
It wasn't all bad though, the title track is easily the most experimental song here. I wasn't really a fan of it back in 1988 (see below) but listening back to it now, it is the most interesting song that Roth did on any of his solo releases. I think Vai took some of the ideas from here as a template for his own Passion And Warfare release in 1990.
As with any rock hard rock album of the era, you had to have an acoustic ballad on it and 'Skyscraper' was no different. 'Damn Good' was a cut above the other ballad realeases by young pretenders like Warrant and Cinderella. The guitar work is reminiscent of Jimmy Page in his acoustic mode. Nothing was over complicated on the song and that made it sparkle.
The album closed with David Lee Roth becoming more of the lounge lizard persona that he used to great affect on his 'Crazy From The Heat' EP in 1985. 'Two Fools A Minute' is funky and jazzy with horn sections
and doo wop backing vocals. A nice close.
Why I ♥ This Album
November 15th 1988 Wembley Arena. That was the date and the venue for possibly one of the greatest shows that I have EVER seen in my life, David Lee Roth!!!!
I was so looking forward to going to this show for so long, David Lee Roth was a big big musical hero of mine up there with Kiss & Maiden.
I had booked the tickets way back in April via Touchan Travel in the Chantry Centre (Andover) for my girlfriend and me.
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| Ticket & Programme |
In the end her parents wouldn't allow her to go, even though we had arranged to go on a coach to the venue and back! So my constant concert companion Paul came along instead.
The tickets were not the best in the world at first glance, we were about two thirds of the way back from the stage. We were a little dissapointed with that but hey we were there to party!
The support band were a big let down (Zinatra???) I must have been spoiled by the support bands that I had seen previously at Wembley (Loverboy & Kings Of The Sun).
Neverless in a blaze of lights, sound and copious amounts of dry ice the band appeared playing the opening strains of 'Bottom Line' and out pranced the Master of Ceremonies himself, Mr Roth armed only with his microphone and with a 'licence to party' (his words not mine). David reeled off all his on stage banter, that many of his fans have heard time and time before, but it is never tiresome. He had the crowd in the palm of his hand throughout.
The band weren't shabby either. Big cheers were heard for the three necked heart shaped Ibanez that Steve Vai plays on 'Just Like Paradise', worthy of note was Matt Bissonette on bass who had some big shoes to fill with Billy Sheehan having left, before the tour started to form Mr Big.
Anyway back to the show, I missed one song as my um.. bladder couldn't hold on. I heard the opening strains to 'Skyscraper' a song I wasn't particularly fond of at the time and made a run for it. You can tell how good a show is by the lack of queue in the toilets..... no one there!!!
Got back in time to see the last 20 seconds of the song and asked Paul if I missed much. He stated it was the best song of the night so far! The energy was relentless, not a note dropped either.
Steel Drums were rolled on the whole part took part in a instrumental that invoved the usual cut the audence down in half and see which cheers loudest.
The best part of the concert was just around the corner as the band were doing their instrumental showing off, no one noticed David climbing on a rope across the ceiling of the arena. As the opening chords of the Van Halen classic 'Panama' rang out from the stage, Dave dropped on to a tiny stage just behind the sound/lighting desk that was also not far away from our seats... (this is used a lot by bands now in arena shows, but back then it was quite innovative). So noow the question was how would he get back to the stage? Run back? NO!
Why didn't I guess that he would be travelling back to the stage on a surfboard whilst singing the Beach Boys song 'California Girls'!!!! silly me.
After bringing down the house with his encore of 'Jump' I left Wembley in awe at such a showstopping performance.
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| Back Cover Of Japanese Bootleg |
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