VAN HALEN's First Greatest Hits Ends Van Hagar

Edward Van Halen Welcomes David Lee Roth Back - Well, Sort Of

"Van Halen - Best Of Vol. I" is a greatest hits with three new songs on it. It marked the end of the Van Hagar days. Although the band would temporarily reunite for a Greatest Hits and tour, it was the end of Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar contributing to albums for the band. From this point on, Eddie played all bass, Sammy left and started his own band, and the subsequent reunion would not go smoothly.

	HUMANS BEING
	CAN'T GET THIS STUFF NO MORE
	ME WISE MAGIC

"Humans Being" was the last song - for a while - with Sammy Hagar and it was made for the "Twister" soundtrack. Subsequently work on the Greatest Hits, which Sammy didn't want to do, started behind his back with David Lee Roth. The song is fantastic and just a blast to play on guitar. The rhythm guitar is at least. I can't do the solo - yet.

"Me Wise Magic" is the first song with David Lee Roth in 12 years and it's received warmly by fans and critics alike. It is a truly magical song. The guitar tone was just like Van Halen 1 on this song and it stands alone because the second one with Roth was a Hagar song, re-worked... I personally think THAT sound IS THE SOUND Edward should strive for.

That second one with Roth is "Can't Get This Stuff No More" which is "Back Door Shuffle" from Balance, a left over, Hagar vocalized song. It sounds nothing like "Me Wise Magic" and before it was verified for me, I thought it was a Sammy Hagar / Van Halen song, just re-done.