VAN HALEN – RIO DE JANEIRO 1983 2ND NIGHT SOUNDBOARD (2 CD)

Description

Ginasio do Maracanazinho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, January 27, 1983.

　A new masterpiece has been added to the newly discovered soundboard series, which will imprint never-before-heard live performances into your mind. Two long-form live albums will be released simultaneously, redefining the series standards!

[The first soundboard to reveal the truth of the South American tour]
　This work permanently preserves the “January 27, 1983 Rio de Janeiro” performance. It features a superb stereo soundboard recording. While some may be wondering, “Again?” given the unprecedented soundboard rush, these two consecutive releases are garnering acclaim for both quality and content.

　Before we get into the shocking details, let’s first look at the show’s position. We’ll leave the details of their activities at the time to the commentary on the simultaneously released “PORTO ALEGRE 1983 1ST NIGHT SOUNDBOARD (Zodiac 845).” Here, let’s focus on 1983, the year VAN HALEN’s only South American tour.

●1983: “NO PROBLEM Tour”
[Venezuela]
・January 14: Caracas (first day)
*January 15th “CARACAS 1983 SOUNDBOARD”
*January 16th “CARACAS 1983 SOUNDBOARD (part)”
[Brazil]
*January 21st “SAO PAULO 1983 1ST NIGHT SOUNDBOARD”
・January 22nd: São Paulo (second day)
・January 23rd: São Paulo (third day)
・January 26th: Rio de Janeiro (first day)
*January 27th: Rio de Janeiro (second day) ←★This work★
・January 29th: Belo Horizonte performance?
*February 1st “PORTO ALEGRE 1983 1ST NIGHT SOUNDBOARD”
・February 2nd: Porto Alegre (second day)?
[Uruguay]
February 5th: Uruguay performance
[Argentina]
February 11th & 12th: Argentina (2 performances)
[USA]
May 29th: US Festival appearance

　If you’re wondering what’s going on here, you’re astute. In fact, the tour dates have been significantly revised as part of the ongoing New Discovery series. When the Caracas and São Paulo recordings were discovered, the schedule information was updated, but even the number of performances for this Rio/Porto Alegre performance has been changed. Even the existence of a previously unknown Belo Horizonte performance has been mentioned (though there are rumors that the second day of the Belo Horizonte/Porto Alegre performance was canceled).

[Long-length live album capturing the entire show on two 90-minute tapes]
　This work, recorded on the second day of Rio, is also impressive. As with previous releases, it’s a soundboard recording directly connected to the console by a man named “Roy,” but this time the recording time is incredible! Most of the series was recorded on a single 90-minute tape, with a total length of around 94 minutes. In contrast, this work was recorded on two 90-minute tapes, and is an almost full live album with a total length of approximately 107 minutes! Of course, the number of songs is also enormous. Let’s organize it while comparing it with the previous series.

●Fuse of Fire (6 songs)
– Runnin’ With the Devil / Jamie’s Cryin’ / Little Dreamer (★) / Ice Cream Man / Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love / You Really Got Me (Happy Trails)
●Diver Down (7 songs)
– The Full Bug / Little Guitars / Where Have All the Good Times Gone! / Cathedral / Secrets / Intruder / (Oh) Pretty Woman
●Other (8 songs + α)
– Legendary Bomber: Dance the Night Away / Somebody Get Me A Doctor (I’m So Glad) / Bottoms Up!
– Others: Romeo Delight / Unchained / Mean Street (★) / God Bless The Child (★★) / Everybody Wants Some!! / Heartbreak Hotel (★★)
*Note: Songs marked with “★” are songs that could not be heard in the 1982 edition of the newly excavated soundboard series. In particular, the “★★” mark denotes songs that were not included in the South American editions, “CARACAS 1983 SOUNDBOARD” and “SAO PAULO 1983 1ST NIGHT SOUNDBOARD.”

…And so it goes. The South American editions, “CARACAS 1983 (Zodiac 839)” and “SAO PAULO 1983 1ST NIGHT (Zodiac 840),” were all short recordings in the series, but this one is a big 107-minute set. There’s a gap at the end of “Runnin’ With the Devil,” so it’s not completely complete, but it’s nearly complete, making this the second release in the series since “FORT WAYNE 1982 (Zodiac 780),” the “North American #1.”

　Up until now, the tape has been paused frequently to spare the tape, but this work is almost entirely recorded. You can also enjoy extremely rare covers such as Billie Holiday’s “God Bless The Child,” which premiered on this day, and “Heartbreak Hotel,” which was unfortunately omitted from the recording of “SAO PAULO 1983 1ST NIGHT,” on a sound board directly connected to your brain.

　The biggest and only drawback of the New Excavation Soundboard Series to date has been its short recording time. This is a stunning debut live album that overcomes that drawback. This two-disc set is a must-listen for both completers who have followed the series up to now, as well as those who have given up. Please enjoy it to your heart’s content!

★ This is a superb stereo soundboard recording of the “January 27, 1983 Rio de Janeiro” performance. Recorded by the original engineer using a direct-to-desktop soundboard, this is a nearly full live album, clocking in at approximately 107 minutes. This impactful soundboard album will directly inject rare covers, such as Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child” and Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel,” which premiered on this day.

Disc:1 (67:36)
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. Bass Solo
10. Where Have All The Good Times Gone!
11. Little Dreamer
12. Mean Street
13. God Bless The Child (★)
14. Cathedral
15. Secrets
16. Drum Solo II
17. Everybody Wants Some!!
18. Dance The Night Away
19. Somebody Get Me A Doctor / I’m So Glad

Disc:2 (39:01)
1. Ice Cream Man
2. Heartbreak Hotel (★)
3. Intruder
4. Pretty Woman
5. Guitar Solo
6. Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
7. Bottoms Up!
8. You Really Got Me
9. Happy Trails
10. You Really Got Me (Reprise)