Customer Reviews

Diamond Dave

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I really enjoyed Dave's new album, his first since 1998s DLR Band. This album expands on the concept of 1985s Crazy From the Heat, which was an EP of cover songs. This is a full album of covers, with only a few original tunes. Overall, this is not an in-your-face, hard-rock kind of album; it's actually rather mellow. While I would consider this to be a rock album, many of the songs sound like Vegas lounge tunes. It just goes to show how talented and versatile Dave is as an artist. He can go from hard rock (as in 1998s DLR Band) to a more laid-back vegas sound and do both successfully. The album has a nice flow and there are no fillers. Dave puts his own signature persona on each tune and makes them sound like his own. I liked this CD more with each listen.
Track by Track-
1. You Got the Blues, Not me...This is a mid-tempo rocker by Savoy Brown about being yourself. It has a good hook and groove.
2. Made up my Mind-Also by Savoy Brown, this is also a mid-tempo lounge song.
3. Stay While the Night is Young-Yet another Savoy Brown Cover. This is a slow seditious lounge song.
4. Shoo Bop- A Steve Miller cover. It's pretty funky and has a catchy groove and guitar solo. This could be played at any night club.
5. She's Looking Good-Another lounge type song that could be played at a club.
6. Soul Kitchen-This may be one of the best songs on the album. This is a cover of the classic Doors song. Dave pulls it off beautifully.
7. If 6 was 9- Dave does a great job at this cover of the classic Hendrix tune. I really like Dave's rap in the middle.
8. That Beatles Tune (Tomorrow Never Knows)- This cover of the Beatles classic is made to sound more like a dance song that could be played at a club. This is a respectable cover, although the original is better.
9. Medicine Man-This is a Dave original. This is just Dave singin' the blues with a harmonica. It's a fun tune and gives the album a nice touch.
10. Let it all Hang Out-This is by the Hombres. This is another dance song in which Dave raps. I'm not familiar with the original but this is a great cover. It's very infectious and catchy.
11. Thug Pop- A Dave original. This sounds very much like it could have been included on the 1998 DLR Band album. This is a hard-rocker with a good hook.
12. Act One-Another Dave original. This is just Dave making odd noises over the sound of a drum.
13. Ice Cream Man-This is a cover of a Van Halen song, which itself was a cover. This sounds much different from the version on Van Halen's debut. The screeching guitars have been replaced by a big band with horns. It's interesting to hear the same song with such a different interpretation.
14. Bad Habits-Another big band song with horns. It's a lot of fun and a good way to close the album.

I didn't know what to expect from this CD. Radio isn't playing it -- no surprise.

This isn't 'In-Your-Face-David-Lee-Roth.' It's more like 'David Lee Roth, Lounge Lizard.' Diamond Dave is a fusion of rock, funk, soul and some jazz. Very cool stuff. This CD is probably his best effort other than 'Eat 'Em And Smile.'

I was kind of hesitant to purchase this CD. I bought his last CD "DLR Band", which was good,but could have been alot better. Then the whole Van Halen thing. Such a waste. BUT!.This new David Lee Roth album entitled "Diamond Dave" is the best CD I own at this moment. I am floored. Dave is doin' what he likes to do. And it rocks. His interpretations (not covers) are a breath of fresh air. In my opinion(always humble of course), I think it could be worth a Grammy nomination. But...what do I know. I do know it's great to have Diamond David Lee Roth back to show us how rock 'n roll is done.

I purchased this CD with low expectations after his last couple of cds and I was blown away. This time out it, Dave isn't "trying too hard" to be heavy metal or to be nasty. He is just being the confident, cool, soulful, bluesy Dave of his Van Halen days.

His take on the Doors Soul Kitchen and tromps on the Jim Morrison version. These songs are meant for the open highway, crusin the beaches with the top down on the convertable, and feeling very good about life and the ladies.

David Lee Roth keeps his fans guessing all the time and here he still leaves little doubt that he's one of the most creative and entertaining people in music. This album is a bit of a removal for him but it is a TOTALLY sweet listen. It's got style, attitude and tons of flair from Diamond Dave. A cool, almost mellow rock album perfect for summertime BBQs.

Shoo Bop, Soul Kitchen and Thug Pop are real highlights.

Sure, Dave can rock with the best of them, but he's also got the voice and style to change gears and do it very, very well. Not many rock singers have this guy's range of talent and taste. This guy RULES. A GREAT listen.

I will have to admit that I was a little disappointed when I heard Dave's new album was to be all covers, but after listening to it I feel it is maybe the best cover album I have ever listened to. Dave does a great job of choosing songs that are off the beaten path that fit his voice and personality. If you are looking for Fair Warning or Eat'em and Smile you will be very disappointed. But if you are looking for just a good old fashioned fun rock'n roll album, give it a spin, you'll like it.

I hesitated to buy this album because of the cover. It appeared that Dave was still clinging to his worn out party animal image. But, I'm impressed with the quality of the songs. Dave's still a great singer, and has excellent musicians working with him. The songs are covers, but there's plenty of original creativity in the remaking of them. Redoing a Beatles or Hendrix song can be an embarrasing failure, but Dave and his friends pull it off well. I hope Dave sticks to this bluesy type stuff; it's what he does best.

good choice of songs and a good sound it sounds very fresh and new. However, only 1 true Roth original on the cd (don't be fooled by medicine man or act 1 cause they are mistakes at best. but the cd is very good overall

David Lee Roth explores his influences on this recording, bringing a fresh new sound to these old gems. Unlike his recent hard rock outing "DLR Band," this CD has a very modern feel as Roth proves he has the courage to try on new sounds. Highlights include Shoo Bop, Soul Kitchen and Stay While The Night Is Young. The last three tunes on this CD are older recordings - two from Dave's Los Vegas period and one from the DLR Band. The DLR tune is particularly out of place, but artists feel like they have to fill up CDs nowadays.

To all you who gave this a CD a bad review I say, grow up. I come from the Van Halen era.. I remember VH 1 coming out and spinning the LP listening to every Eddie lick on it.. and then attempting it on my guitar. I know what VH is about.. VH is VH and DLR is DLR. Lets face it, Dave is getting up there in years, and toning things down a but is natural. I think Dave's metal days are over. Metal is over BTW, as much as I hate to admit it.

This CD in my opinion, shows off Daves voice for once. Its maybe a voice you haven't listen to all that much.. except for an original he doesn't attempt to hit a range he really cannot (most VH is out of his range, lets face it). Sure, this is the mature DLR.. If I want the old DLR, I'll throw on Skyscraper, or Eat em' and smile. I hope Dave continues down this path. This CD is plain old fun, easy to listen to and just good. FOr you audiophiles, this CD is pretty decent sound quality as well. Now that he's done these covers, maybe he or someone else can write some new material along the same vein. I would buy it in a second.