In honor of Eddie Van Halen's passing....
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Both seemed to be perfect for the band’s sound during their particular era. I know it’s taboo to consider Sammy as good as DLR, but I can’t imagine another voice on tracks like, “Love Comes Walking In” and “Finish What You Started.” Similarly, DLR’s voice is irreplaceable on the classics, especially “Panama” and “Jump.”
My favorite YouTube rabbit hole involving Eddie is to listen to the studio tracks with isolated guitar sound. It’s incredible. His “tapping” virtuoso style is what made him unique, but his tone and rhythm were also impeccable.
My favorite YouTube rabbit hole involving Eddie is to listen to the studio tracks with isolated guitar sound. It’s incredible. His “tapping” virtuoso style is what made him unique, but his tone and rhythm were also impeccable.
Posting from my phone. Here is “Panama” isolated guitar track. Tons of other classics like this if you are so inclined.
Dave is a better front man. Sammy is a better singer.
I'm a guitar player and I totally respect EVH's talent. I know he changed the way the guitar is played for a lot of people and is rightfully mentioned among the best ever.
Strictly in my opinion, though, I didn't like his style at all. I think he was mostly terrific playing rhythm but, again in my opinion which I'm sure represents a very, very small minority, I think many of his solos were flash for the sake of being flash. Way too many notes, too many weird squeals and squawks, too overpowering for the song. Reminds me somewhat of Jeff Beck's playing as there are times when what he's playing just doesn't make any musical sense or enhance the song which is, of course, the main purpose for any instrument on the record. Malmsteen is a monster technician but doesn't have any soul in his playing. Too many times I felt EVH fell into the trap of 'how many notes/noises can I squeeze in here' vs 'how can I play something that enhances the song'. I don't remember which 60s guitar icon said it but it was something like, 'EVH is technically one of, if not the best ever. But, who the hell wants to play like that?'
I've heard many guitar players say that a solo should be like you're singing or talking. Well, who the hell talks that fast with that many words? EVH is a legend and unbelievably talented, a true trailblazer. Personally, I'd rather listen to BB King, Freddie King, Mick Taylor, et al than the unworldly avalanche of notes EVH normally played in his solos. I have no doubt I could never learn to play like him. But, I also never want to.
I saw an interesting YouTube video on What if EVH, Peter Frampton or Eric Johnson played the solo on Stairway to Heaven. Of the three, the guy mimicking PF was closest to the original and, for my money, the one that most complimented the song. The guy playing like EVH overplayed so that you couldn't really hear the rhythm much underneath and phrasing was awkward with all the tapping, whammy bar acrobatics. Eric Johnson, who played his own solo, was technically brilliant but way out of time and used all these modes which muddied up the song, imo. Give a listen sometime and see how different guitar playing styles can greatly change the feel of an iconic song/solo.
Again - as a guitarist, EVH was great and I'm sorry to hear he passed away. As a listener, I didn't care for his style.
Strictly in my opinion, though, I didn't like his style at all. I think he was mostly terrific playing rhythm but, again in my opinion which I'm sure represents a very, very small minority, I think many of his solos were flash for the sake of being flash. Way too many notes, too many weird squeals and squawks, too overpowering for the song. Reminds me somewhat of Jeff Beck's playing as there are times when what he's playing just doesn't make any musical sense or enhance the song which is, of course, the main purpose for any instrument on the record. Malmsteen is a monster technician but doesn't have any soul in his playing. Too many times I felt EVH fell into the trap of 'how many notes/noises can I squeeze in here' vs 'how can I play something that enhances the song'. I don't remember which 60s guitar icon said it but it was something like, 'EVH is technically one of, if not the best ever. But, who the hell wants to play like that?'
I've heard many guitar players say that a solo should be like you're singing or talking. Well, who the hell talks that fast with that many words? EVH is a legend and unbelievably talented, a true trailblazer. Personally, I'd rather listen to BB King, Freddie King, Mick Taylor, et al than the unworldly avalanche of notes EVH normally played in his solos. I have no doubt I could never learn to play like him. But, I also never want to.
I saw an interesting YouTube video on What if EVH, Peter Frampton or Eric Johnson played the solo on Stairway to Heaven. Of the three, the guy mimicking PF was closest to the original and, for my money, the one that most complimented the song. The guy playing like EVH overplayed so that you couldn't really hear the rhythm much underneath and phrasing was awkward with all the tapping, whammy bar acrobatics. Eric Johnson, who played his own solo, was technically brilliant but way out of time and used all these modes which muddied up the song, imo. Give a listen sometime and see how different guitar playing styles can greatly change the feel of an iconic song/solo.
Again - as a guitarist, EVH was great and I'm sorry to hear he passed away. As a listener, I didn't care for his style.
The musicians on the board get it. The 80s was filled with a lot of this stuff....I really feel like the 70s was the sweet spot for tasteful soloing mixed with virtuosity and technical mastery.
As a bassist, I can tell you I much prefer to play with guitarists who can be tasteful with their soloing. When I woodshed I overplay the HELL out of tunes. Try to cram as much in in different ways in key with whatever song Im fooling with. That way, the actually basslines are always simple and when its time to cut loose you are able to whip it out.
You ever listen to the G3 albums. They hit me the same way. All of that stuff just lacks soul.
Though I disagree about Jeff Beck. The defense humbly submits the Blow by Blow and Wired albums your honor. I jam out to those on bass often...Jeff has some great soloing on there. But yes, he did go overboard later onn
Great post. EVH was more refined and "professional" w/ Sammy than during his DLR days w/ VH, if that makes sense.
Depends on what you want. Dave was the better front man, showman and entertainer. Sammy could sing circles around Dave even on Dave's best day, plus Sammy is a pretty good guitar player too.
This is probably a minority opinion, but what I liked about VH was the raw, edgy, nature of their music. I really didn't like VH with Sammy because the music seemed too polished, too produced, almost pop music compared to their work with Dave. I guess to put it simply, I thought their music with Sammy was boring compared to what they did before.
I may be wrong about JB. Haven't listened much to his earlier stuff (other than the JB Group with Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood - more bluesy). His 'avant garde' stuff I've see live in the last 10 years or so is just musical masturbation as far as I'm concerned. Songs that meander all over, solos that go way off the reservation, etc. - just not for me.
Just pulled that up on Spotify. Youre right, thats a good tune. Ive never given Van Hagar albums an in depth ear to be fair, DLR era albums have some great deep cuts. I know Black and Blue though, Im sure Double Q used to play it. Songs like Right Now and Why Cant This Be Love are what I think of with Van Hagar and I just hate that stuff. Something about how Sammy sings the choruses on his songs just doesnt appeal to me. I like his vocals on verses.
Listening to the intro and verse licks before Sammy comes in, it sounds like vintage DLR rhythm section stuff. Then Sammy comes in and its like OK....this is clearly Van Halen but its just not as good without Dave.
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I mean, sure, that's decent, but you haven't lived until you've heard Fred Durst shred you're f'n face off:
Oh, I totally agree with your opinion about that era of his material. But give this stuff here a try, I'm willing to bet you change your mind haha. His early stuff is filthy. Then he just goes all over the place and I lose interest in that stuff too.
Of course, I'm a bassist, so what I listen for in music that gets my juices flowing isn't always what you guitarists are interested in. But I bet these tracks pique your interest:
Everyone, no matter their age, has something they feel great shame about from their high school days. This would be mine lmao
I’m a Hagar fan. Montrose, Solo, VH, Chickenfoot, the Circle. I love his interviews. He seems like a genuine nice guy.
Also Hagar is a way better musician and songwriter than Roth.
Now VH as a band was better in the first Roth era (1978-84). They produced some legendary albums during that time.
They were terrible with Roth the second time around. Part of that was no Michael Anthony.
But the big question is why the greatest VH singer was left off the list.
No Gary Cherone.
I kid, I kid.
Also Hagar is a way better musician and songwriter than Roth.
Now VH as a band was better in the first Roth era (1978-84). They produced some legendary albums during that time.
They were terrible with Roth the second time around. Part of that was no Michael Anthony.
But the big question is why the greatest VH singer was left off the list.
No Gary Cherone.
I kid, I kid.
I loved Van Halen in the original Roth years. I quit listening to them when Hagar came onboard. They went from a great rock band, to a mediocre pop band. Hagar was really good with Montrose, but terrible with VH. If you voted Hagar, you lost the right to ever discuss music on this site again lol.
-i know right. cheap trick>>>van halen(hagar).
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