Description

Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI, USA 13th August 1982 STEREO SBD

　The 1982 Van Halen collection continues to shock collectors around the world with a string of never-before-heard leaked soundboards. This week, two titles will be released simultaneously in the latest installment of the 2025 series, the biggest and most powerful new excavation!

　This work, the second part of the two-part series, permanently preserves the “Detroit Performance on August 13, 1982.” It is a stereo soundboard recording. Detroit was the first highlight of the “HIDE YOUR SHEEP Tour.” This work imprints the spirited live performance there in your mind. First of all, what position did that highlight performance take? As always, let’s start by exploring the overview of their activities at the time.

●1982
{“DIVER DOWN” released on April 14th}
・July 14th – August 21st: North America #1 (26 shows) ←★here★
・September 1st – 25th: North America #2 (17 shows)
・October 7th – December 11th: North America #3 (38 shows) ←TORONTO 1982, etc.
●1983
・January 16th – February 12th: South America (15 shows)
・May 29th: US festival appearance

　This is the overall picture of the “HIDE YOUR SHEEP Tour” accompanying “DIVER DOWN.” As anyone who has noticed this article knows, the epicenter of this new excavation rush is “North America # 1” at the beginning of the tour. This week’s two consecutive releases have resulted in a whopping seven superb soundboards. Even slight differences in dates are important, so let’s focus on the dates and organize our collection again this time.

●Details of “North America #1”
・July 14th-23rd (7 performances)
*July 24th “BILOXI 1982”
・July 27th + 29th (2 performances)
*July 30th “LOUISVILLE 1982”
*July 31st “FORT WAYNE 1982”
*August 3rd “ROCKFORD 1982”
・August 4th: Des Moines performance
*August 6th “ST. LOUIS 1982”
・August 7th + 8th (2 performances)
*August 10th “ST. PAUL 1982”
・August 11th: Madison performance
*August 13th: Detroit performance ←★This work★
・August 14th-21st (6 performances)

　This work was recorded as the 20th performance of “North America # 1”. In Detroit, it was a three-night consecutive performance, and it was also the first day.

　This show is known for the fact that audience recordings have been left behind for some time, but of course this work is completely different. Like the newly excavated soundboards up to now, this is the first sound source recorded directly from the on-site mix desk by someone called “Roy.” Of course, not only the process but also the sound quality follows the series. The live performance, which has not been processed at all, is blown out as it is and constructed with a sense of balance that seems to be for the on-site venue. Each note is clear to the subtleties, the contours are prominent, and the sense of separation is tremendous.

　This unique style has been apparent in previous series, but perhaps as the tour has progressed, the mix has become more stable. The balance still changes depending on the song part or solo, but the transitions are smoother and more effortless. It also feels like there’s less noise coming from the amps and instruments. The four musicians’ live performances have become more polished, and the roadies and engineers seem to be more comfortable with the venues as well.

　This recording also features a slightly unique technique. Roy, like other shows, recorded one 90-minute tape, saving space. However, on this day, he didn’t make it through the final songs, “Bottoms Up!” and “You Really Got Me,” and instead ended the tape with “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love.” This likely stems from around “Runnin’ With the Devil” in the first half of the show. Roy usually stops the tape during the MC after this song, but this was a highlight, and a reporter from Life magazine was there to interview him. Roy stopped the tape as usual, but resumed it when Dave began talking about it. He stopped the tape again a short time later, when the topic shifted to another topic. It seems he used up a fair bit of time here, and didn’t last until the end.

　I’ve used up a lot of words on a strange topic, but it’s a minor point. The thrill of being able to enjoy live performances from the 1980s with a long recording of about 93 minutes is not lost on me. Let’s take a look at the masterpieces that can be heard on this album.

●Diver Down (8 songs)
・The Full Bug／Little Guitars／Where Have All The Good Times Gone!／Hang ‘Em High／Cathedral／Secrets／Intruder／(Oh) Pretty Woman
●Other (9 songs)
・Flame of Fire: Runnin’ With The Devil／Jamie’s Cryin’／Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
・Legendary Bomber: Dance The Night Away／Somebody Get Me A Doctor／DOA
・Other: Romeo Delight／Unchained／Everybody Wants Some!!

　Aside from South America, where the circumstances are unique, the only three cities where they performed on the “HIDE YOUR SHEEP Tour” were Detroit, Inglewood, and Worcester. That’s why they must have taken the time to thoroughly refine their performances. This work is a new masterpiece with a direct sound board that will imprint the passionate performances of such highlight performances directly into your brain. Please enjoy the live performance of the original four people who reached full throttle this week with the press 2CD that will never lose its brilliance.

★ Stereo soundboard recording of “Detroit performance (first day) on August 13, 1982.” This is the latest in the popular soundboard excavation series, and this time it is a masterpiece digitized from the original leaked master recorded by the same people involved. This is a super thick, direct new masterpiece that will imprint in your mind the passionate performance of Detroit, the first highlight performance location of the tour.

Disc:1 (62:00)
1. Intro
2. Romeo Delight
3. Unchained
4. Drum Solo
5. The Full Bug
6. Runnin’ With The Devil
7. Jamie’s Cryin’
8. Little Guitars
9. Where Have All The Good Times Gone!
10. Bass Solo
11. Hang ‘Em High
12. Cathedral
13. Secrets
14. Everybody Wants Some!!
15. Dance The Night Away

Disc:2 (31:28)
1. Somebody Get Me A Doctor / I’m So Glad
2. Dave Acoustic Solo
3. Intruder
4. Pretty Woman
5. Guitar Solo
6. D.O.A.
7. Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love

STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING