Excuse me; yes, you reading now.  Before you go any further I need to ask you a question.  Do you know who Sammy Hager is?  If the answer to that question is “NO” then I think you are on the wrong website.  You would be best surfing on www.ireallyneedtogetalife.com or www.villageidiotsreunited.com and leaving this site to those of us who have a life! 

One interesting fact that I will impart onto those reading on is that during his career, both as a solo artist, his early stint with Ronnie Montrose and his 11 year run with Van Halen, he has amassed a combined record sales figure that exceed 60 million, and this album is Sammy’s 25^th release.  Not a bad feat really. 

Sammy has gone against the norm with “Livin’ It Up” and has released an album that will have some people scratching their heads in bewilderment and will be getting very mixed views throughout the vast army of reviewers out there.  From the onset of “Sam I Am”, with its devilishly catchy hooks, I found myself being sucked in to the music and looking forward to what was going to be following, it didn’t disappoint. 

This is a very bluesy/rocky album that has a definite country “feel” running throughout which is highlighted by driving riffs and catchy runs coming from a lap steel slide guitar.  Tracks like “The Way We Live” lean a little more towards traditional rock/pop whereas “Living on a Coastline” almost transports you to a tropical paradise (now there’s a surprise considering Sammy’s love of the Mexico coastline, cantinas and tequila!).  Further on into the album you come across “Sailin” which could be classed as the textbook Hagar ballad, “Halfway to Memphis” making a reprise appearance (originally on “Not For Sale”) is the most country sounding track of them all, and finally “Someday” which closes the album in a soft, lullaby style, almost as if you are now being invited to gently nod off and let all your stresses and worries fade away.  There are a few covers on “Livin’ It Up”, “I Love This Bar” a cover of the Toby Keith hit, “ Rainy Day Women” a cover of the Bob Dylan classic, and also Hagar’s adoption of the Staple Sisters classic “Let Me Take You There”.   

This is a really laid back, fun release which is extremely infectious to listen too and goes a long way towards reflecting Sammy’s love of his lifestyle, total self belief in what he does, and the fact that he is finally doing something for himself.  This album shouldn’t be taken too seriously, its not going to sell millions, its not going to top the MTV Album of the Year poll, but by god it is the ideal album to stick on while cruising in the car, having a BBQ, or even just chilling in the garden.  

With this latest release he has followed his heart and not his bank balance and released an album which is full of fun, happiness and fulfilment that will spread a ray of sunshine wherever it is being played (my god, how poetic is that)!  I think it is brill.

Let Us Know Your Views On 'Livin' A Life'

Track List

Sam I Am
Living on a Coastline
Mexico
Way We Live
I Love This Bar
One Sip
Rainy Day Woman #12 & 35
Halfway to Memphis
Sailin
Let Me Take You There
Some Day

Line Up

Sammy Hagar - Vocals, Guitars
Victor Johnson - Guitar
David Lauser - Drums
Mona - Bass