TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Catch A Rising Star Live At Pogos April 3, 1978" - Van Halen (2016)

"Catch A Rising Star Live At Pogos April 3, 1978" - Van Halen (2016)

     Van Halen had dropped one of the best debut albums ever just two months prior to the band introducing themselves to Wichita.  Not at the 12,000-seat Coliseum.  Not at the 10,000-seat Henry Levitt Arena.  But at a much, much smaller venue named Pogos...a popular dance club in the city.  What a lucky bunch that crowd.  Because on the night of April 3, 1978, in Wichita, KS...Van Halen brought their rock-bark to the house.  The group was young, hungry, and still friends back then...just trying to climb their way to the top.  And whether they knew it or not, they were well on the way.
  
     "Catch A Rising Star Live At Pogos" captures the band performing nine songs from their just-released debut album along with a classic Blue Cheer encore.  And this square has it all.  David Lee Roth's goofy frontman bantering and vocals are top-notch.  As is Alex Van Halen's drumming.  Michael Anthony's bass is busy as ever, but a little low in the mix.  And baby-faced game-changer, Edward "Eddie" Van Halen already had his unique tones and fiery tapping style in his back pocket.  The songs are new and fresh and the band is having fun.  Thoroughly entertaining.

"Catch A Rising Star Live At Pogos April 3, 1978" - Van Halen (back)

Favorites include:
"Atomic Punk"
"Ain't Talkin Bout Love
"Eruption"
"Little Dreamer"

This copy is an unofficial release on Yellow Dog Records snagged for $30 with a gift card at The Record Ship.  Recorded directly from the soundboard, the entire album sounds really good for a boot.  My copy is pressed on blue-swirl vinyl. (Pink, purple, gold, red, and smoke swirl pressings are out there too.)  "I'm The One" and "Atomic Punk" are misidentified as "Show Your Love" and "Light Up The Sky" on the label.  This square is a real treat. I've played one side or the other almost daily for the last couple of weeks.  It's a joy to spin.  A must for Van Halen fans.   

Blue Swirl vinyl

Yellow Dog Records

Cat #
YDLP008
SIDE 1  DEADWAX
YDLᑫ008A
SIDE 2  DEADWAX
YDLᑫ008B

"Ain't Talkin Bout Love" - Van Halen / "Catch A Rising Star Live At Pogos April 3, 1978" (2016)

TRACKS:
A1  "On Fire" 2:58
A2  "Show Your Love" ("I'm The One") 4:47
A3  Bass Solo 1:30
A4  "Runnin' With The Devil" 3:13
A5  "Light Up The Sky" ("Atomic Punk") 4:38
A6  "Little Dreamer" 3:18
B1  "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" 3:43
B2  "Ice Cream Man" 4:47
B3  "Eruption" 3:47
B4  "You Really Got Me" 3:15
B5  "Summertime Blues" 5:10

PERSONNEL:
David Lee Roth - vocals
Edward Van Halen - guitar
Michael Anthony - bass
Alex Van Halen - drums

Good stuff.

Follow Me On FACEBOOK

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Interview:-- Joan Staley (Actress - Classic Movies & Television)

Image
  "Elvis,  do you really want me to slap you?"  ~ Joan Staley ~     So my friends and I were talking about first crushes. First tv and movie crushes.  For me, it was easy.  It was Alma. (Joan Staley)   I broke into the double-digit age of 10 in 1993.  That was the summer I discovered my favorite Don Knotts movie while flipping thru cable one Saturday morning... "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken." Everyone has seen it.  It was a funny haunted house story similar to an episode on Andy G. with a cast of familiar characters, trippy organ music, and the prettiest girl I had ever seen...Alma. She was beautiful alright.  I was love-stung so bad, I swear I could smell flowers coming out of the TV set.  And best of all, she was nice.  She didn't like the smart alec, the wise guy, or the show-off.  Alma was digging Luther (Don Knotts) and that just made her that much prettier.  And from then on... But unfortu...
Read more

Interview -- Henry Lee Summer (Singer/Songwriter)

Image
"I just always have played music.  For better   or worse, I banked my whole life on it." ~ Henry Lee Summer ~     It's strange how music lets you travel through time as if there truly was no time.  I played the shit out of this album growing up.  Nothing deep or complicated.  Nothing outta bounds.  Nothing to get hung about.  It's deceptively simple.  But here's the thing... Henry Lee Summer  is serving aces all over this heartland square. This is the 35th anniversary of Henry Lee Summer's self-titled album and this one falls under that sweet spot between raucous and chill.  It's a large cup of iced coffee with a nice soulful blend.  Not usually my type of go-to and yet this album easily fills a void I didn't know I had.  Let this spin be your own private Idaho.  " Check it out, Leroy!"   Henry Lee Summer... Go get you some. Henry Lee Summer Interview -- August 2023 Henry Lee Summer Casey Cha...
Read more

Interview -- Elliot Lurie (Looking Glass)

Image
"...Your eyes could steal a sailor from the sea." ~ Looking Glass ~ Elliot Lurie was a singer/songwriter for the 70s band Looking Glass . The band recorded two albums and had a couple of hits along with a handful of deep-track FM cuts.  And as many bands are wont to do... Looking Glass called it a day and handed over the keys.  However, before cutting out, Looking Glass did leave us with the #1 hit song... "Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)."   Now there have been plenty of #1 songs that have climbed to the top spot faster.  And plenty of #1 songs that have stayed at the top spot longer.  But the list begins to thin when it comes to #1 songs that have had some real staying power years and years after their run.  And as the 50th anniversary draws to a close, the song  "Brandy..." still remains an ageless and endearing wonder. A song of unrequited love without all the drippy, maudlin sadness that often stains so many other attempts.  Every boy dreams ...
Read more