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VanHalen saves the day


Guitarzan

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..well i was tired and just back from a practice. ate a big BBQ dinner and the wife says.."you should mow the back yard"

well i didn't have much energy after making a pig of myself at supper.

grab the mini disc, put in a mix of vanhalen tunes and , to make a long story short, the lawn lowed itself...thanks Ed and the guys!

music makes the most boring tasks enjoyable.

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Reminds me of a story...

 

Years ago, I was midway through a weeklong bender in Wildwood, NJ. Just sittin on the porch at 5 AM, drinking Harvey Wallbangers, and enjoying the quietness of the world.

 

Off in the distance... I here a noise. It's getting closer.

 

Ahhh... some guy riding to work on his bike, with the Walkman on. Sscreaming at the top of his lungs... "PANAMA! Nah NAH, Nah nah nah nah NAH nah!!!

 

I had to smile. :)

 

Ricky

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Their first few albums were good, up to about "Fair Warning". After that, they needed a change. Songs like Panama, Jump, and whatever that song is with the lyrics "You can't imagine what your image means, I guess I'll never learn...." are, frankly, bad. Hagar was a breath of fresh air, and they produced some really good stuff with him for a couple albums. But I've heard the new album.... the band should hang it up and live off their royalties.

I used to think I was Libertarian. Until I saw their platform; now I know I'm no more Libertarian than I am RepubliCrat or neoCON or Liberal or Socialist.

 

This ain't no track meet; this is football.

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Is there a new album?? I heard a new song but thought that was just to go on the best of that was put out recently?!

 

What are the live shows like now? Saw a tape of one a few years ago which looked pretty spectacular, but they never play here, must be the weather or something?!? :(

Fa Fa FA Fa fa fa fa fa FA fa FA FA
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But I've heard the new album.... the band should hang it up and live off their royalties.

I could watch Ed sitting in a wheelchair drooling

on the strings.

Play as long as your heart desires.

The story of life is quicker then the blink of an eye, the story of love is hello, goodbye.
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Originally posted by Darklava:

But I've heard the new album.... the band should hang it up and live off their royalties.

I could watch Ed sitting in a wheelchair drooling

on the strings.

Play as long as your heart desires.

That's hilarious... kinda reminds me of South Park's "poop my pants" Rod Stewart... but I agree... what the hell, if music is your life... thats what you know, thats what you do. Even if its not as good as it once was, there's still somebody out there who rides their bike screaming PANAMA who would love to see you go at it anyway... hey even if you're playing to an empty room if you're enjoying yourself... go for it.
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Originally posted by coyote:

...Songs like Panama, Jump, and whatever that song is with the lyrics "You can't imagine what your image means, I guess I'll never learn...." are, frankly, bad...

You have a right to your ridiculous opinion. ;)

 

You don't have to like 'em, but I think both Panama and Jump lyrically are pretty simple. No message to be gleaned. They are what they are.

 

But one reason I usually liked Siskel & Ebert's take on dumb low budget films was that while they readily admitted a bias against such dreck, they could watch these movies and judge them as the eyes and ears of the target audience rather than their own.

 

Musically, both Panama and Jump are very well crafted. Jump is, perhaps, Eddie's greatest solo. It incorporates his signature, go-for-broke, throw-caution-to-the-wind style while never seeming to lose focus. It builds to it's end, perfectly segueing to the keyboard solo which also has a beginning, middle and end that sets up a restart of the main keyboard riff.

 

This, in contrast to, say, Joe Satriani who can write a good song but has some uncontrollable urge to throw completely out of context gymnastics into many of his best songs. Songs that otherwise have nothing whatsoever to do with the melodic themes espoused in the solo.

 

Why you pick on great but simple songs like Jump and Panama is beyond me... :confused:

It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman

 

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fntstcsnd

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Originally posted by fantasticsound:

This, in contrast to, say, Joe Satriani who can write a good song but has some uncontrollable urge to throw completely out of context gymnastics into many of his best songs. Songs that otherwise have nothing whatsoever to do with the melodic themes espoused in the solo.

God, I thought I was the only one who noticed! You have this sweet, nice song, Always with you, always with me, that in the middle of, he launches into a cliché, out of context, tapping riff. WTF? It even sounded stupid in 1986.

 

Ed does this sometimes too. It seems like none of his songs are complete until he speed-picks up the first string to a high E or dive bombs an open G.

 

Oh well, I guess there's a fine line between repetition and establishing a signature.

Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform.

Mark Twain (1835-1910)

--------------------

Reporter: "Ah, do you think you could destroy the world?" The Tick: "Ehgad I hope not. That's where I keep all my stuff!"

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You're not alone, Hendmik! ;):thu:

 

And yes, though I like Eddie's style, he's far from perfect, and that's ok. But I think Ed is a bit more of a producer in this regard. Take a listen to Dreams off 5150. Sure, it has it's small fast section in the solo. But for the most part, it's just a restatement of the melody. Even the tapped parts simply add an arpeggio to the melodic direction. ;)

 

Always With Me, Always With You is definitely one of the Satch tunes I wish he'd left alone. Surfing With The Alien, IIRC also has an out of context part which annoyed me. There are many others which I listen to, then skip ahead a minute into the solo. Same for some Steve Vai songs.

It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman

 

Soundclick

fntstcsnd

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Eddie's solos are super complex rythmically. Listen to what he is soloing over in JUMP. It is like a fusion solo. Outta love solo is super complex and weaves in and out of what the drums are doing. I have never thought Satch had this complexity. His licks and style were easily copied by the masses. I don't think Eddie is as easy to emulate cuz he is less predictable. Of course NOW he is super predictable. He always does that lick from the end of Hot for Teacher in every solo. I think you know what I mean. I mean the OLD Eddie that changed guitar. I love the solo in mean street too (the middle one) that first lick is steeped in emotion. What the hell kind of bend is that anyways?!! Romeo Delight has alot of fire in it too.

 

My drummer hung out with Zakk Wylde and Mike Inez (Mike is on tour with heart now) for the whole day last week when he was in town for Ozz fest. He said all those guys worship Eddie even now. Zakk said his fav solo was the one in Dirty Movies. That is a kickass solo- i would have to agree.

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what gets me about Ed and vanhalen is the rythymic stuff, man ed and alex throw some screwy stuff when they are getting busy. and thats what is the most different to me when i hear the sammy era stuff. songs like "loss of control" are about to fall apart and thats what i miss. i have the new 2 cd "best of both worlds" and the new songs are good. keep in mind its many years later and they are not out to take over the world, let them have fun. still sounds good to me. and as for lyrics, there are tons of classic bands that have penned some of the most dumb lyrics ever and i wouldn't single Dave out.
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I've always liked Ed as a rhythm player more than a solo'er (SOLO'ER?!?!). The verse rif in Drop Dead Legs is a case in point. I love that rock boogie stuff. It just sounded like he was enjoying himself, which stood far above all the other hair bands that were trying to look tough. Ed was never afraid to flash that boyish smile, and his rhythm writing reflected that. He still does some of that stuff like in Amsterdam and Baluchetheri...whatever, and the new Up For Breakfast (of which the guitar riff is about the only redeeming feature). That's the stuff that really gets me moving, not necessarily his solos.

Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform.

Mark Twain (1835-1910)

--------------------

Reporter: "Ah, do you think you could destroy the world?" The Tick: "Ehgad I hope not. That's where I keep all my stuff!"

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I am a huge VH fan, especially with Hagar.

The difference is the Roth era was raw and about partying and getting laid. Ed made every note count back then. He made songs out of cool things he could do with his guitar.

When Sammy joined for 5150, the boys were just getting off on being together (especially since Roth dumped them). That was the day when you were suppose to be done for dinner if your lead singer left you. 5150 was fresh and simple. I think after that point they went from being rock stars to becoming musicians. I think when a band reaches that stage, they are still good but it's just not the same. The energe/magic is sometimes lost.

I saw the boys in concert a couple of months ago and they were AWESOME. The show was better than the Balance Tour and almost as good as 5150.

I think that Ed still has some tricks up his sleeves. Hopefully we'll get to see a new album!

I read in an interview that this tour and Best of Album was slapped together very quickly since they were getting off on being together. Which would explain the 3 new songs as being re-hashed versions of old material. The more I hear the new ones, the more I love them. I guessing though that the best has yet to come.....

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I don't care what anyone says, Panama kicks BUTTOCKS !!!! :thu:

 

That has to be one of the greatest riffs known to mankind!!! :cool:;):cool:

 

JMO, of course. :D

"Treat your wife with honor, respect, and understanding as you live together so that you can pray effectively as husband and wife." 1 Peter 3:7

 

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Great Tune!

Ed has a great way of making the song simple but not sooo easy to play.

Not easily done.

The best most timeless songs most often are not complicated sounding.

If a song structure is too complicated then most likely it appreciated mostly by musicians.

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Originally posted by fogman:

Great Tune!

Ed has a great way of making the song simple but not sooo easy to play.

Not easily done.

The best most timeless songs most often are not complicated sounding.

Amen. How stupid is the riff to "Ain't Talkin 'Bout Love" or "Everybody Wants Some"? But you can walk around humming it all day...

 

Uh oh. Now what have I done?

 

*{doot, doot, do-doooooo}* hey, Hey, HEY! :D

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Don't get me wrong; I love some of their simplest things (Mean Streets, Ain't Talking Bout Love, etc). It's not a question of whether it's simple or not. I just truly think that by the time of Jump, it's clear the creative spark had left that foursome. Hagar's appearance was absolutely neccessary, and it rejuvenated them quite a bit.

 

Nor am I saying Eddie should go away. I think VH as a BAND should hang it up. The various personnel ought go on to use what they've learned in other settings... Eddie's star turn on "Beat It" was a great thing. And who knows, maybe we'll finally get the long-awaited Michael Anthony solo record ;)

I used to think I was Libertarian. Until I saw their platform; now I know I'm no more Libertarian than I am RepubliCrat or neoCON or Liberal or Socialist.

 

This ain't no track meet; this is football.

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I'm a big fan of Roth-era VH. While I can't stand the song "Jump", 1984 is my fave VH record. The whole sound of "Drop Dead Legs" just kills. I think that the ultimate Eddie solo is from "Hot For Teacher" - the lazy phrasing on top of the boogie rhythm swings like a motherfucker.
"You never can vouch for your own consciousness." - Norman Mailer
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Originally posted by coyote:

 

Nor am I saying Eddie should go away. I think VH as a BAND should hang it up. The various personnel ought go on to use what they've learned in other settings... Eddie's star turn on "Beat It" was a great thing. And who knows, maybe we'll finally get the long-awaited Michael Anthony solo record ;)

__________________________

 

I'd have to agree with you there!

 

Their "heyday" is over... has been over for quite some time.

 

I don't say that to sound negative, because people simply grow up and mellow out.

 

VH has "grown up", and have mellowed out.

 

Their energy and creativity just isn't there any longer.

 

Time for retirement.

"Treat your wife with honor, respect, and understanding as you live together so that you can pray effectively as husband and wife." 1 Peter 3:7

 

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I have to admit that their tour right now is a huge money grab for retirement!!!

 

Ed once said he always wanted to do a solo album with a different singer for each song but it would be a legal nightmare. I believe Carlos Santana stole his idea and it worked! :P

Ed does great with fresh blood. I think different singers would push his envelope.

I love Hagar but he's a lazy musician (mind you he's getting up there in age).

I think that's what broke them up initially, is that Ed's a perfectionist and Hagar is "it's good enough".

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I think the world is ready for the next generation of VH:

 

Wolfie

 

:thu:

"Treat your wife with honor, respect, and understanding as you live together so that you can pray effectively as husband and wife." 1 Peter 3:7

 

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Does he only have one nipper?

 

He should have more, he could do a whole chill-out album of stuff in the vein of 316 (Wolfgangs birthdate, he played it to his wife while she was pregnant with him, as if any of you didn't know that, but anyway....)

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Originally posted by fogman:

PLEASE NO!!!

 

Have you seen those clips.

He's another chubby Jack Osborne (spoiled rich kid that doesn't get enough exercise)

http://www.vhnd.com/images/wolfie1.jpg

 

Don't look like a fat spoiled rich kid to me.

Looks like little Eddie having the time of his

life.jealous...." hostile toward a rival or one believed to enjoy an advantage" :P

The story of life is quicker then the blink of an eye, the story of love is hello, goodbye.
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Originally posted by Base:

Does he only have one nipper?

 

He should have more, he could do a whole chill-out album of stuff in the vein of 316 (Wolfgangs birthdate, he played it to his wife while she was pregnant with him, as if any of you didn't know that, but anyway....)

I did not know that!!! :freak:

 

Hey, isn't that another thread??? :P

 

;)

"Treat your wife with honor, respect, and understanding as you live together so that you can pray effectively as husband and wife." 1 Peter 3:7

 

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Imagine going back to school this week and doing the obligitory "What I did Over Summer Vacation" thing.

Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform.

Mark Twain (1835-1910)

--------------------

Reporter: "Ah, do you think you could destroy the world?" The Tick: "Ehgad I hope not. That's where I keep all my stuff!"

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