Van Halen : The Collection Vol 1 1978 - 1984 : Vinyl Box Set - Unboxing Review and Reaction

[@oscaroliva5736]

I have them all on vinyl , got to see them , 40 years later , just amazing

[@Jamesharris-lo9nn]

A sincere thank you Phil for the thoughtful and thorough review. Van Halen means a lot to me and it's always nice to hear someone give them the reverence and appreciation they deserve. 🤘🎸🤘

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you - Phil

[@danielmcevoy976]

When I was 7 I saw Thin Lizzy on the Midnight Special...got my first Bass the following Christmas. Then 2 years later I got the first Van Halen album. Michael Anthony instantly became my #2 guy behind Phil. Nothing has changed to this day. I want this collection badly.

[@lesgl]

Great bass player..got my first bass about the same time as well

[@Moteridgerider]

Another great review. It goes way beyond the usual technicalities and specs of remastering etc. Love the enthusiasm you bring to this timeless music., Phil. I have so many memories of hearing these tunes for the first time. You brought it all back.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🙏

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Hi Everyone, since filming this the price of the box set in the UK has dropped to £121 which is about £20 per album. amzn.to/3Z3JuSD The only negative is the inner sleeves which I replaced immediately. The albums are the 2015 remasters. The video contains full info on this and a personal background to each album - thank you for all your support. Phil Become a Patron (free trial -cancel anytime) www.patreon.com/nowspinning or Join the KZbin Channel kzbin.info/door/nZSsMr4k8ZVlrJ8MUYR4GAjoin Or make a donation via Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/nowspinningmagazinewithphilaston Visit the website: www.nowspinning.co.uk

[@paulduggan5323]

In one sense, not even the inners are a problem, those of us resigned to keeping a stock for this very situation will deal with it. Those who don’t will put up with it, potentially scratching their albums, which they must be doing anyway. Please note, I am not saying it is acceptable to provide vinyl in anything short of a poly or poly lined inner sleeve

[@ikigai47]

Damn, it's currently $250 (£198) on USA Amazon

[@neilbower9052]

aren't ALL the albums still available seperarately? The vinyl in the box is the 2015 reissues @@ikigai47

[@TractorCountdown]

"It's Van Halen!!!" Brilliant, Phil, your enthusiasm, as always is so infectious. I've only heard the first album, and that wasn't that long ago, but you've got me excited to listen to the rest. So I may well be purchasing this one :)

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you - what a journey you are about to embark on - Phil :)

[@TractorCountdown]

@@NowSpinningMagazine Thanks to your good self 🙏

[@rjg2112]

Enjoy, such fantastic albums, you wont be disappointed!

[@TractorCountdown]

@@rjg2112 Cheers!

[@ikigai47]

Obviously Ozzy's solo music was heavily inspired by VH. He must have been blown AWAY by VH when they opened for him. I read how VH absolutely blew Sabbath out of the water as far as the live shows went, so it's funny to me picturing Ozzy all wide eyed watching them with his wheels turning like so many musicians did for VH in the late 70s and onto the 80s

[@bretviola6871]

Great review!! I love watching someone who loves Van Halen as much as I do gush about how great they were. There was no weak link in the band because if you took out any single member, Van Halen wouldn’t sound like Van Halen. And not only did they write great songs, they sounded so incredible on a sonic level.

[@marionshanle4562]

Great review!!! Greatest American rock band ever!! Thanks for sharing this timeless music!

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you - Phil :)

[@syzygy9358]

Watched this a few times and sometimes just playing it on background, awesome review. Thanks! 😁

[@ELPCOTILLION-SD1970]

I'm Looking Forward To Purchasing The CD Variant Of This Lot...

[@lesgl]

What a great review..thank you so much..i bought the albums here in Oz as they came out from when i was 18 to 24..what a great time to be a music fan..good to hear the remasters have been such a great success..l have the last three on lp the rest on cassette/CD..love em' all

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you for watching - Phil

[@MrThunderDoom]

Looks gorgeous ! Hope there will be a cd box set of this release!🙏😀

[@jimmycampbell78]

There is, or was, a clamshell CD boxset with these first six VH albums. Van Halen The Studio Albums 1978-1984 released by Warner Records. Standard CD boxset with cardboard sleeves, no booklet. It may be out of print, a couple of years or so ago it was available on Amazon UK I do know.

[@MrThunderDoom]

Thanks for the info !😀@@jimmycampbell78

[@jimllfaxit]

Great review man. It's great that you talk about the sound quality, especially comparing to original pressings.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🙏

[@bareknuckles2u]

The 2015 remasters are amazing. Good video.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🙏

[@Thomas-ej9fz]

My favorite album is Fair warning too !! So underrated and so Good ! Man I miss Them !

[@teflonrobg]

Great review. This June will be 40 years since I saw them live at the Hemisphere Arena in San Antonio, TX. Still, it's my #1 concert of all time and I've seen hundreds of concerts and hundreds of bands in the 80s. I'm gonna get this. Thanks.

[@VanHalenStarWars]

Excellent review! The standard of hard rock, by which others were judge. No one did it better than the original VH! These guys were in a class of one..thanks for sharing your detailed thoughts and observations!

[@andrewmaplethorpe1125]

Glad to hear “The Costers” pub in Birmingham mentioned, spent many a drunken night in there. Running With The Devil was always played as the first song by the DJ in The Sadlers ( only good pub in Solihull back in the day) on its Tuesday night rock night. Glad to see VH2 and Fair Warning getting some love. Highly tempted to buy this set even though I’ve bought the albums many times over the years…

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Hi Andrew, I remember The Sandlers as well! It is a great set - Phil :)

[@keepitgreasey1]

Phil , I received mine a few days ago. Very nice box my only complain is that side 2 Van Halen 1 by the song Jamie’s Crying there a 3 very noticeable ticks around 1 minute in the song. These thick were also noticed by the Walmart release 1 year ago. Can you check if copy has also these ticket? Greetings from the Netherlands

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Will do - thank you - Phil :)

[@marvinmoenen4151]

Thank you for showing this nice van halen box set i will buy it 👍

[@mikecordasco9346]

Thank you, so much for validating my youth. What a joy to know that someone else out there has such a penchant for noticing details that most others simply glaze over. Your knowledge of this band is praiseworthy and the manner in which you convey it, is astounding. You had me hanging on every word. If I may say, sir, your accent is captivating. You are a true fan. Thank you for this video. Looking forward to your review on the volume 2 boxset volume. Cheers.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Hi Mike, thank you very much - Vol 2 will be next week ! Phil :)

[@carlvanwalleghem6437]

I expect to receive my boxset on Wednesday. Great review, Phil !

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🙏

[@jean-lucpernel2202]

Hi Phil, beautiful edition ! I remember only the 3first , i love 1 and 2 they are turn again and again in the past!!😊

[@ROOKTABULA]

I bought the VH albums as they were released. I've built red with white striped picture frames out of 1 1/2" pine and sandwiched the LPs between 2 sheets of glass so you can take them off the wall to see the back covers. My prized one is the red vinyl Looney Tunes with the original Van Halen Logo. It's still wrapped in original cello! I almost opened it more than once but the arrival of internet has saved me from my curiosity. :D

[@stanferraro4130]

Hey Phil, thanks for the review. This band is a great example of great music done with a good dose of humor (and great playing), However, when Sammy joined the band , the humor was gone. The overall quality was still there with a couple good songs, but D.L.R. really made this band fun. Classic stuff...R.I.P. Edward VH

[@robertoschiaccianoci4769]

....there's an easy trick to get the vinyl out of the sleeve. spread it at one corner a tiny little bit, just enough that you can carefully BLOW into.... respectively between vinyl and the sleeve..... and you can take it out without any problems.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Great tip - thank you - Phil

[@rabarebra]

A tip to you at 6:00 which I often use: blow into that stubborn inner sleeve and it is much easier to get them out. But yes, it should be prohibited to use those horrifying hard cardboard paper sleeves. Way too easy to get scuffs, hard to get 180g records out, and static mayhem.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Great tip!

[@voccsaycee30]

I have the Walmart version of this box set which is essentially the same thing, same mastering. I also have the originals (and the cds made in the 90s, but i'll disregard them for this). Apparently Chris Bellman also cut the original masterings but there's no mastering credits on the originals. Regardless, the remasters have more detail and a slightly more open top end, as well as really clean pressings. The originals, very generally, are a little grittier, maybe a little "meaner"...but honestly, glad I have both. The originals and the remasters both sound great in different ways. Nothing was wrong with the originals and nothing is wrong with the remasters (not always the case though with remasters, sadly)

[@dnjn67]

Did you know that the lyrics and melody to ‘I’ll Wait’ were written by Michael McDonald. Cheers for the review.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

I had heard that but could not find anything to confirm it, that does in a way make sense, same record label as well - Phil

[@dnjn67]

@@NowSpinningMagazine I recently heard this on a VH documentary on the Tape Archive channel on YT.

[@toasttoasted3492]

Just ordered mine, thank you for the review

[@JohnnyBeane]

Thank you for the review on these. Huge =VH= fan here and have owned many many many copies of these on vinyl.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you for watching - Phil

[@Vampyre_Media]

These 2015 remasters sound amazing! I have all the 2000 CDs, and 2015 CDs. I have compared those, and the 2015 versions sound way better. The 2015 HI-RES files also sound incredible.

[@paulduggan5323]

Good to hear that they are all analog and improve upon the originals. I see Amazon have this for £121 now compare that to the forthcoming mobile fidelity versions. You will pay more than that per album.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🙏

[@neilbower9052]

they have all been available seperately since 2015

[@PeaceMaker-j8m]

EDDIE VH LEGEND R.I.P

[@PHILIPPEBASTIAN]

Hello 👋 Phil, I didn’t buy my copy of this boxset yet, I hesitate with buying the albums I most like separately (VH1, Women and children first, Fair Warning, 1984). Nevertheless the idea of doing this purchase grows in my mind 😅. I saw that there’s another boxset of the same period by Warner Music at a more decent price (the front cover is even nicer to me), with also the 2015 remaster. Do you know the difference between the Rhino edition and the Warner one ? Thanks for your always good advices and reviews 👌 keep on rocking 🤘 Greetings from France, Philippe

[@PHILIPPEBASTIAN]

Hi Phil, I have just received my boxset for 119€ I think it’s worth full 😊. Finally it’s the one you presented 😅 the photos on the website weren’t representative. Now I will soon enjoy the 6 LP 🤘🤙. I hope my copy will be soundly good 👍 thanks

[@CBT5777]

Will there be a CD version? I don't buy represses of old albums. Only first or original presses. I already have the first American presses of these. They sound great. But I would like a nice CD set for Van Halen. I bought the Dokken one at my record store. Love it

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Not sure, there already is a CD box set covering this era so I have not been told of a new one.

[@rjg2112]

Outstanding review Phil, thanks!

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🙏

[@NigelTupuola]

Wow! they worked crazy hard in the first 6 years to put out an album a year.. they spaced it out from 5150 tp Van Halen 3

[@rabarebra]

I have those old OGs and a few 2015 versions. I find the OGs sounding better. They have more headroom. Just check those in this boxset again, they'll have less headroom. CB often have narrower swirls and longer runouts to leave the inner groove problems away (for those with cheap MM stylus). To get narrower grooves, they need to use less volume.

[@PaulFrench2112]

Thanks for the review. You did spend a lot of time talking about the remastering but just to clarify, nothing was re-done for the box set release. The vinyl is simple the 2015 vinyl remasters. These were issued 8 years ago. Surely the big attraction would have been something new added ie a bonus cut, a download card, a info sheet...anything. Dissapointing tbh.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Hi Paul, thank you for the info, these reissues were new to me. To be honest back in 2015 I was not really taking much notice of vinyl releases so in the UK I missed them. I imagine the emergence of this box set is to ensure there is a companion set to the Hagar set which is due soon. I agree a booklet or info sheet would have been good. Wolfgang has said there will be no outtakes or bonus tracks from period of the band’s history due to the wishes of his father. Thank you for watching - Phil

[@PaulFrench2112]

@@NowSpinningMagazine ok thanks, interesting that the 2nd box set will have a set of added tracks

[@gerardfletcher1203]

phil u nailed it just waiting for mine had cd but need the vinyl. ur love for vh just shines thank ur best review yet cheers from oz music is life

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🙏

[@Bootradr]

I've not been looking for this box set because I haven't heard about it here in America? I'm not saying it hasn't been released In the USA but I just looked on Amazon and could not find it either. I'm going to have to do a little looking around today and see what I can find, I bought all six of the albums, or I should say the remastered LP's, and they have sounded wonderful and have been flawless pressings. I'll have to look at each of them again and compare them to what comes in the box set. But I sure would have enjoyed getting all six of them in the box set like you showed. I may have just missed it when it was released here in America? I'm still scratching my head on how that might have happened haha. On October 6th, there is supposed to be a 5 LP Van Halen release box set of the Sammy Hagar years. I heard about it not too long ago and I saw the pre-order for it on Amazon also. The title of it is Van Halen - The Collection II. I'm guessing that is the second release you were referring to that is coming out. And if there's a Collection II there must be a Collection I. Since I've already got the individual remastered LPs I'm not going to buy the box set most likely. But I sure wish I had seen it or known about it because I'd have gotten it as opposed to the individual LPs one purchase at a time. Thanks for the in-depth review and for breaking down the details. Great video! After watching your video now, I think I know what I'm going to be putting on the turntable in about 5 minutes! I was just trying to decide before watching your video. Thanks for helping out with that as well 👍 Brian in Fort Worth 🎶

[@Bootradr]

@@independenceltd. Thank you for that info.

[@whitey7998]

The issue with taking the record out of the sleeve Phil is that the glossy sleeves are sticking to the vinyl caused by static. Just a quick tip, blow into the sleeve and it pops right out

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Hi, thank you for watching and for your excellent tip. I did notice the other none glossy inner sleeves were a lot better - Phil :)

[@vintagevinylvets1187]

Thanks for the review Phil. GZ Media in our experience has always done a great job on their vinyl releases. Case in point-“Down The Road Wherever” by Mark Knopfler. Great album, great pressing.🙏🏻🎧

[@ricardodecastro5793]

your love of VH is incredible and I feel the excat same way as you do. One small note, I found it odd that you mentioned he broke his foot on the photo and made no mention that the other photo of him has his broken foot in a gauze. Did you not notice that? And of so, why not point it out when refering the broken foot story. Just odd to me. Thank you so mnuch for this awesome video. Can't wait to see other videos you've made. Would love a response/comment on the foot thing, though. VH was my favorite! Obcessed!!!

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Hi Ricardo, thank you for watching. I think I was trying to cover so much and not let my enthusiasm get the better of me I just forgot as I moved on! Thank you for mentioning it here - Phil

[@jimllfaxit]

Well just got mine and the track Panama has drop outs in the opening verse. Don't know if it's just my copy or a manufacturing fault, so looks like it will have to go back. Shame because it does sound great.

[@douglasweston126]

Hi Phil - have you any thoughts on the second box in this series the Van Halen - Sammy Hagar years? Once again I'm hearing people dont like the CD sound, some complaining that its a remix not a remaster, so just wondering if you had any thoughts on this release. You're probably going to do a review anyway - right ?? LOLOL cya Doug

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

I will be doing a review but I have not got it yet! - Phil

[@glerp10000000000]

Costers....there was many a time I visited Swordfish and had a couple of beers in there when I were a lad.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Ah Swordfish Records, great shop !

[@JasonDavis103]

Haha! I've never seen anyone struggle with getting a record out of an inner sleeve quite like this in my lifetime. Phil totally played it up. It took him well over a minute. Good grief - the drama! 😆Yes, they can be a little tough to remove and I keep mine in anti-static sleeves too and just slide the original inners back into the jacket. But... c'mon.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

It was touch and go there for a minute!

[@markporter7664]

Worst records I’ve ever tried to remove from a sleeve. Other than that residue on Jamie’s crying causing a skip on the same place on two records. Managed to get it off on replacement copy. Other than that a fantastic set.

[@StevieBluenoseScott]

Good positive vibes there.

[@TheMax1230]

Great review, thank you! I don't think "You're No Good" is a Kinks song though.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Totally correct, it isn't ! Not sure why I thought it was, perhaps it was because it had a similar feel to Where Have All The Good Times Gone ? The song is a cover but by Clint Ballard Jr - Thank you for correcting me - Phil

[@rayhollingshad3580]

Linda Ronstadt as well.

[@grooveag25]

The vinyl pressing of Van Halen “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge” from the latest box set has a mastering/pressing flaw which causes horrible distortion and the right channel dropping out on “Right Now”, “316” and “Top Of The World”. Myself and a lot of people are having this same issue. Some have returned copies and got replacements which do the exact same thing so it has to be a problem with the stamper. Sadly I’m afraid the entire run will be problematic and a new lacquer will probably be needed to be cut again. It’s very noticeable if you were to pull a copy and play it yourself - especially on “316”.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you for the info. Currently I have gone for the CD version of the Hagar set which I will review soon. Phil

[@slobodanudarac5]

Lovely review, Phil. Thanks

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Many thanks!

[@photogcw]

Mobile Fidelity have been dragging their feet for their half-speed mastered audiophile editions of the VH catalogue. I suppose this is a stop gap measure for those who can't wait.

[@djflashlinx5150]

I understand buyers are receiving the set with duplicates instead of all 6 separate albums, that's messed up!! And a "pop" on Jamie's Crying

[@dasse1588]

That's it. Van Halen is not about dreams and love songs. It's about having fun getting wild being young and free.

[@TheBrettWilson]

So what about A Different Kind of Truth? It's even disappeared from streaming services

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Sorry, I don't know what will happen to that - Phil

[@timjonesvideos]

Sleeves too tight for the vinyl is a real oversight. The Van Hagar era albums in Vol 2 have never been reissued yet, as far as I know.

[@chrismoyse3529]

I would say that not much thought has gone into this set. The originals are well produced and sound great. Not sure what these bring that hasn’t come before. No extra tracks? Love the band. Second Lp was massively disappointing though for me

[@rockandmetalinvasion]

I see the back cover of 1984 is still upside down 🙃

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Yep - sure is !

[@analoguecity3454]

I assume they are pressed from the "Chris Bellman" metal parts, if so they are 100 percent analogue!😊

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

They are

[@mannyruiz1954]

Great video. Love your enthusiasm, and your accent........😎✌️

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 😁

[@mannyruiz1954]

@@NowSpinningMagazine We like a lot of the same bands. I'm 65 years old so Classic Rock and Metal are my main squeezes. Looking forward to viewing more of you videos here. I've seen you SOT/Pardo as well. God bless. 🙏

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Have a great week - Phil

[@magnuswettermark8293]

Nice..but i dont need it. Still have my old original vinyls i buyed back in the day. But its good for the kids and people who want start buying vinyl again.

[@ikigai47]

I was always told the British never got into VH

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Not sure where you heard that but we certainly did! Phil

[@ikigai47]

@@NowSpinningMagazine in 1981 @12 years old I moved from southern California to Saudi for a few years to live in a western compound (for Saudi Arabian Airlines employees where dad worked) with lots of Americans and Brits mostly. I was a VH fanatic EVH is why I started playing guitar. None of the local Brits liked them and they claimed 'they're not big back home' like AC/DC and The Police were (which I also loved). Looking back to fact check those guys, their album chart positions by US/UK it does seem VH was popular in the UK but not quite like the US VH1: 19/34 VH2: 6/23 Women and Children First 6/15 Fair Warning: 5/49 (49th in the UK? Yikes! I agree this was their best album) Diver Down: 3/36 1984: 2/15

[@robertwatt4248]

There is some truth in that, I was from the heavy rock crowd and no one in my circle where fans. They only toured smallish theatres, nothing like they did in the US. They never dominated the world like bands such as G&R, Iron Maiden, AC/DC etc.

[@mikecordasco9346]

Of course, I subscribed to your channel

[@franciskocher200]

Top video😄👍

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you 🙏

[@97warlock]

well, upon very first listen, it wasnt what id call "great" but it was fresh and fun to listen to. The Solo, Eruption, was really fast & next level for the time. It was just a fun good album to listen to. Time has made it "great" because weve heard it so much thru the years & have a bond with it. It feels like home, it feels good to hear.

[@Baz63]

The only time in my Hammersmith Odeon career that the bar was more populated when the headline band was on as opposed to the support act. V.H. were astonishing and poor old Black Sabbath had no chance. Ozzy was drug fuelled, off key, immobile and in contrast DLR was athletic, engaging, funny and charismatic. As for Eddie Van Halen...well it has all been said before. May i also state that i agree wholeheartedly with your sentiment re world leaders listening to Jump. It seems the world is intent on removing joy and happiness for the benefit of the 'progressive elites'. Therefore your mental health videos are becoming ever more important as music is one of the escape facilities that we have (and they can't take that away from us hopefully) alongside the magnificent Marx Brothers films...sorry had to get that one in.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Hi Barry thank you for watching and sharing your memories and thoughts. I must watch some Marx Brothers films ! Phil :)

[@LuisRodriguez-cf4tf]

No alternate versions… live cuts or alternate covers…. The lack of connection with the Van Halen fan base is ridiculously unforgiving 😕

[@Venus_Isle]

Thanks for confirming the laquer was cut by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman mastering, Phil. My guess is it still isn't "triple A". Nevertheless this hallmark of quality is good enough for me to pull the trigger.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Thank you - the price has dropped a bit as well

[@bbanderic]

The 2015 Bellman’s are all AAA

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

These are CB with the C slightly higher with the bottom of the C leading into the B if that makes sense!

[@ricardodecastro5793]

Obviously you are extremely knowledgeable about VH and musicality as well. Having said that, I feel you would appreciate all knowledge. You're no good was made famous by Linda Rondstad and has no relationship to the Kinks at all. A couple of other people wrote it.

[@NowSpinningMagazine]

Yes, sorry I made a mistake there and should have looked at the sleeve notes. Thank you - Phil

[@graemeknowles1431]

Are these the albums that came out separately. And they just put them in a box.

[@bbanderic]

Yes

[@marsazorean62]

FAIR WARNING