Best of Volume I by Van Halen (CD, Oct-1996, Warner Bros. Records Record Label)

Track listing
1. Eruption
2. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
3. Runnin' With The Devil
4. Dance The Night Away
5. And The Cradle Will Rock...
6. Unchained
7. Jump
8. Panama
9. Why Can't This Be Love
10. Dreams
11. When It's Love
12. Poundcake
13. Right Now
14. Can't Stop Loving You
15. Humans Being
16. Can't Get That Stuff No More
17. Me Wise Magic


Details
Playing time: 72 min.
Distributor: WEA
Recording type: Studio
Recording mode: Stereo
SPAR Code: n/a


Album notes
Van Halen: David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar, Eddie Van Halen, Michael Anthony, Alex Van Halen.
Producers: Ted Templeman, Van Halen, Mick Jones, Donn Landee, Andy Johns, Bruce Fairbairn, Glenn Ballard.
Engineers: Donn Landee, Erwin Musper.
Digitally remastered by Chris Bellman (Bernie Grundman Studios, Los Angeles, California).
Almost evenly split between tracks that feature glammy showman David Lee Roth and those that feature earthy screecher Sammy Hagar, BEST OF VOLUME I seems designed to let this pioneering hard-rock band's fans compare and contrast between its two frontmen. As if to drive the exercise home, BEST OF features three tunes cut in '96--two of them with Roth, who had been estranged from the band since 1985, and one with Hagar ("Humans Being," originally released on the soundtrack to TWISTER).
Otherwise, BEST OF presents the hits in chronological order, beginning with the unadorned, aggressive sound of the early Roth material. Powered by guitarist Eddie Van Halen's hammer-on notes and orchestral pyrotechnics, and lightened up by Roth's used-car-salesman-on-a-bender persona, "Ain't Talkin 'Bout Love" and "Runnin' With The Devil" are as close to pure, perfect hard rock as anyone is ever likely to come. The early '80s found the band incorporating synthesizers (played by Eddie) and a pop sensibility, resulting in megahits like "Jump."
Things changed again when Hagar replaced Roth and took the band further from its roots, toward an expansive new sound with broader new arrangements, heard here in such pop hits as "Dreams" and "Right Now." Refusing to tip the balance toward either David Lee diehards or Sammy-come-latelys, BEST OF contains enough Van Halen milestones to keep anyone satisfied.

This is the album that pretty much sealed Sammy Hagar's fate. He wanted to do a new album and when this was released, he'd had enough and left. Most of the songs on this album are classics, especially the old Roth-era tunes. "Eruption" starts it off, the crazy guitar work of the young Eddie Van Halen that made him a guitar god. Still great after all these years. "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" is next, an excellent tune from their self-titled debut. "Runnin' With the Devil" follows, also from the first album. More mature than many of Van Halen's early songs. "Panama" is here too, a cool song that still gets a lot of radio play. There are also a few Hagar-era songs, four of them being love songs ("Why Can't This Be Love" "Dreams" "When It's Love" and "Can't Stop Lovin' You"). Also included is "Humans Being" the excellent song from the "Twister" soundtrack. Plus, there are two newly-recorded songs done with David Lee Roth that are...so-so. Nothing special, but nice to hear him again (he might be coming back for good. We'll see). There are many songs that could have been included that are better selections than those picked, but what are you gonna do? This is o.k. for fans that have most of their stuff, but much better for a first time listener. This album is a blast and will leave you wanting more!

I like the CD, put the CD had scratch on it and the seller did say it had scratches on the CD and did not respond to any of my email about returning it.

I got it for my husband as a present. He likes Van halen and this is a very good cd. It has some of their greatest songs on it.

If you love Van Halen this is your album. It really DOES have the best of their hits. It is a fabulous CD to workout to!!! Great tunes. Highly recommended.

Has all their greatest hits. Whats not to like. From earlier stuff to their last stuff. I feel like every song they make is a hit.

I bought this cd because there was one song missing from my library of music and this CD had it. Either way Van Halen is a grea, if not one of the greatest, bands of all time. This cd is great. If you don't want to go out and buy all the Van Halen Cds then settle on this one. David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar kick ass. You will love this Cd.

I LOVE this CD. Van Halen Rocks!!! I decided to buy his music because it says something in his message about what is meaningful and relevent. My spirits soar and I feel a happy sense of place in the world, on hearing his music. WOW! Did I say it once, already Van Halen Rocks!!! Bottom line: Well, he really does.

I bought this CD because there was some of the first numbers from Van Halens first albums, and they are super.

My 13 year old son wanted this CD. I am SO proud he's listening to the old classic rock music instead of some of the other STUFF out there!! Love all the songs (brings back memories)!! Only regret is that some of the songs are not the original versions from years earlier but of course this is the 1996 version! :)

These guys are still the GREATEST ! Any Van Halen I would rate as excellent. This one stands out becase it has some the best songs.

I bought it because it has several songs that I have enjoyed since a teenager. The cd arrived in good condition and no skipping.

No problems. Came quick, in good condition. I have nothing bad to say about this seller. I have had several that sim[ply didn't send it, then couldn't reply becuae it hadn't been lon enough time, Then I was refused from saying they were shitbags for not sending the stuff because I waited too long to complain. This was NOT the case here.

This Cd covers Van Halen From Beginning to end, great music. I purchesed through ebay because of the low cost.Why drive about watsing precious gas when
I can shop at home?