SAMMY HAGAR and the Waboritas ~ Live – Hallelujah Sanctuary Records

One of the most relentless touring machines on the circuit today is Sammy Hagar and his merry band of Waboritas. Therefore is seems a bit odd that it’s taken 20 years for the man to release a live record (not counting Van Halen’s Right Here, Right Now in 1993). With “Live ~ Hallelujah” Sammy makes up for lost time cramming 17 Hagar classics into 78-minutes of disc space. All the hits are there “Three Lock Box,” “Heavy Metal,” and the CHP favorite “I Can’t Drive 55.” However, this is more than just a history lesson, its highlights of 30-years with the Red Rocker.

The song selection follows closely to last years Hagar/Roth tour set with all the punches delivered with power and precision, most evident in “There’s Only One Way To Rock,” the Montrose hit “Rock Candy,” and the Gary Glitter inspired drinking anthem “Mas Tequila.” Even the occasional Van Hagar number made the list with “Right Now” and “Dreams.” The Waboritas (Jesse Harms – keyboards, former Bus Boy guitarist, Vic Johnson, Mona – bass, and Hagar’s original drummer for nearly his whole career, Dave Lauser) prove to be outstanding “in the pocket” players making this recording all the more enjoyable. No where is this more evident than in the graceful ease they move from “Why Can’t This Be Love” to “Eagles Fly” to “Little White Lie.”

Pieced together from several different shows, St. Louis being the primary, the disc comes off like the ultimate house party. Recorded full-volume, over-amplified and straight off the deck it comes across as a serious hard-rockin’ platter. The production is slightly shrill leaving an over all echo in the vocals but the playing is top notch, raw, and loud. Bonuses include ex-Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony (rumored to be touring with Sammy on a steady basis) ex-Van Halen IV, Extreme singer Gary Cherone, Boston bandmates Barry Goudreau, Fran Sheeham and John Hashian.

Website: Sanctuary Records or Sammy Hagar.

Review by Todd Smith http://www.thecutting-edge.net/