As the first live album featuring the original line-up sans the so-so Hagar years, it's a great trip down memory lane.
Although that memory is tarnished somewhat by David Lee Roth's struggles with the requisite vocal gymnastics.
Fortunately, Eddie's ''brown'' sound is intact. Suffering through the loss of Michael Anthony's high squeals and harmonies, DLR does at least inject the type of ad-libbing that makes him the consummate showman, something Hagar never was.
Tokyo Dome is full of classics from a golden era and just hearing Ed play those classic riffs is worth the price of admission.
• Van Halen. Tokyo Dome Live in Concert. Warner Bros.
• Three stars (out of five)
Single download: Hot for Teacher
For those who like: Van Halen, The Darkness, Steel Panther
- Mark Orton
