ALAE and YFLM

**Smokin' 5150** · 04.10.01, 06:22 AM

I recently began listening again to A Little Ain't Enough.

For those who haven't played it in a while, give it a listen. I think that, after Eat 'Em and Smile, this may be Dave's best solo work (with all due apologies to Stevie and Billy).

If I remember correctly in 1991 ALAE had been selling well and the video was on heavy-rotation (back when MTV actually showed videos), then the Gulf War broke out, partying hard rock fell into disfavor, some WB executive had his thumbs up his ass, and the album fell off the charts.

Then in 1994 Dave releases YFLM on Warner/Reprise. A clearly different musical direction. Clever and classy but a little to "thirtysomething" for me.

My question is: Did Dave get moved to Warner/Reprise because of the ALAE sales -- which were pretty good or because he played WB some of the reggae, country, blues, no big guitar sound YFLM? If it was the latter, could it be that any VH without Dave may wind up on the Warner/Reprise label.

**NE169** · 04.10.01, 08:28 AM

I think it's cause of sales. Dio was also moved to Reprise as well--I forget which album. I'm not sure how these labels work, just guessing, but it seems Reprise is a second tier (not a major player)label in the Warner family.

I think Avia gym shoes is owned by Nike (again, not sure), in the same way that you don't see any promotion for Avia, except in newspaper ads for sporting goods stores.

**MikeL** · 04.10.01, 10:21 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Smokin' 5150:
If I remember correctly in 1991 ALAE had been selling well and the video was on heavy-rotation (back when MTV actually showed videos), then the Gulf War broke out, partying hard rock fell into disfavor, some WB executive had his thumbs up his ass, and the album fell off the charts.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Actually the video wasn't shown on MTV. The midgets in blackface weren't popular with the brass.

The album was released at the same time the air strikes started against Iraq, so sales right off the bat weren't that strong. Too many people were glued to CNN to go buy the latest and greatest (it really is) from Dave.

**esquiretoo** · 04.10.01, 03:12 PM

That is a good album. I listened to it again not long ago. It represented a slightly more "mature" dave.

**Top Timmy** · 04.10.01, 04:47 PM

I think I'll move this over the the Songs/Albums forum for ya guys. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

**Glenn** · 04.10.01, 07:47 PM

Steve Vai and Billy Sheehan were/are great, but for my money A Little Ain't Enough is better than EEAS and Skyscraper put together. The chops may be a little less flashy, but the songs are way better.

**billy007** · 04.10.01, 08:15 PM

Never miss an opportunity to sing the praises of A Little Ain't Enough. Best thing DLR did post Van Halen.

**Stuff No More** · 04.11.01, 06:05 AM

I don't know... I kind of like Skyscraper myself [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Of course, ALAE has some gems on it. I still haven't brought myself to the point to be brave enough to listen to the used copy of YFLM I bought 6 months ago (for completeness)...

**Goo** · 04.11.01, 06:29 AM

YFLM is a funny album - its kinda like Dave was sitting at a career crossroad and decided to tackle the problem by loading up a blunderbuss with every different style he could come up with, then fire it at a barn door.

Couple of them hit, and a couple of them blind cows in the neighbours paddock ("Dang jeb, ah nevaah new day-see was a blind cows").

Most of them are embedded in the woodwork, never to be seen again.

Some good lyrics hidden in that album though, its worth a scratch around my cd player now and then, when I'm in the mood

**Smokin' 5150** · 04.11.01, 07:11 AM

YFLM is one of Dave's finest lyrically, but to me it represented the 1st time in Dave's solo career that he did not get musicians that met his talent level. Terry Kilgore is certainly no EVH, Vai, Becker, or Steve Hunter (although I do like "Goin' Places" and "Black Sand" off of DLR Band).

**Glenn** · 04.11.01, 10:31 AM

Skyscraper is a great album, but the production really lets it down in my opinion. I think Dave (and Steve) should have left that to the professionals.

I have to be honest here, I gave DLR Band a listen in the car yesterday and it was worse than I remembered it. Dave sounds so good on songs like Right Tool For the Job, Black Sand and Going Places; but then he sounds terrible on Indeedido and Relentless. The chorus of Blacklight too is way out of his range. [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]

**BrokenCombs** · 04.11.01, 11:15 AM

I like DLR Band actually a lot...But I agree with you on those above songs found on it...

**Goo** · 04.11.01, 01:27 PM

Yup yup.. ALAe rules.

Closest thing I think you'd find to hitting Daves 'real groove' solo, with its bluesy tinges.

Great stuff

**Stuff No More** · 04.12.01, 06:08 AM

Yeah, Dave just wasn't being realistic with his vocal range on some of those songs. Kind of like the "woo woo woo, wooooooo!" part of Slam Dunk. Grates my ears.

But one of these days when I'm feeling adventurous I'll pull out YFLM and give it a spin. I probably wouldn't have bought it when I did if it wasn't for the fact it's out of print.