Ever wish we got more full songs on acoustic?

**Double Down** · 08.10.06, 05:55 AM

Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I really wish VH gave us more full acoustic songs. Ed gave us some great acoustic stuff but it was always for part of the song only (Full Bug, Deja Vu, Take Your Whiskey Home, Little Guitars). Obviously, the name Eddie Van Halen is synonomous with all things electric, but I just wish we could have gotten to see more of his acoustic imagination. If nothing else, I think Deju Vu could have stayed acoustic the whole way and I still think it would have been a killer tune.

I remember thinking how cool it was when Ed played Josephina in concert. It looked funny to see him onstage with an acoustic but it was cool the way he just sat down and played the song. I would have liked to see a little bit more of that.

Yes? No?

**broken9500** · 08.10.06, 08:38 AM

I've always been curious to know where his muse would take him on acoustic guitar but it appears evident he simply wasn't interested in doing so...I'd be very very open to the idea of seeing Ed perform, by himself with just a few acoustic guitars. It has always struck me as having the potential to be very compelling. As much adoration as he has received over his career, I've always felt he didn't get enough credit...if that makes sense. There's a depth and ambition to stretch himself I've always believed was there that, for whatever reason, he did not feel comfortable sharing very often. I'd be very open to hearing what he'd have to say with an acoustic.

**ScottyBHarris** · 08.10.06, 08:57 AM

Now would be the perfect time for Ed to do an acoustic CD or "unplugged" concert. With all the interest in John Mayer, Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson I think there would be an interest in this direction....

**WinterlessIceness** · 08.10.06, 09:14 AM

I think his intro for Eagles fly on Dawn of 5150 was just awesome. BUT, that gotta be the only outstanding accoustic bit I've heard by him. On the Unplugged idea, I don't think Ed would be capable to re-arange VH songs for accoustic guitar. I think that's why he never did.

**Double Down** · 08.10.06, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by WinterlessIceness

I don't think Ed would be capable to re-arange VH songs for accoustic guitar.

Huh? This is Eddie Van Halen we're talking about....I think he's more than capable of rearranging his own songs. But it's not about being capable, it's about being interested in doing so.

But playing existing VH songs in an Unplugged format is one thing. I was thinking it would have been nice to get just a few more different songs on the acoustic. Like I said, Deja Vu has a few fantastic riffs strung together in the beginning....would have loved to have seen a little more of that.

**WinterlessIceness** · 08.10.06, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by JumpTheHotTeacher

Huh? This is Eddie Van Halen we're talking about....I think he's more than capable of rearranging his own songs. But it's not about being capable, it's about being interested in doing so.

Well you see, that's why I have my doubts. If he'd like his stuff played acoustic he'd go for it. I mean I'm sure he'd sound better than 99% of guitarists anyway, but for example - Zakk playing BLS stuff unplugged has an Absolutely different feel in it. It doesn't sound like "BLS songs played with acoustic guitars". These are totally different melodies and tempos and fills and solos. That's obviously because Zakk has a strong basis in southern rock, country and blues. I haven't heard EVH doing anything aside from rock (well, Respect the Wind which is awesome in a way, but he's been playing classic music all his childhood. Hence the overall sound of that soundrack).

**broken9500** · 08.10.06, 12:40 PM

I have never been the least bit interested in hearing VH Unplugged. I'd be very interested to hear what Ed would do with an acoustic guitar, just as I am with hearing what he'd do with a Steinway...but I can't say hearing Panama Unplugged does much for me...I don't think it does much for Ed either and I feel pretty comfy assuming that's why we won't hear it anytime soon.

**Double Down** · 08.10.06, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by broken9500

I have never been the least bit interested in hearing VH Unplugged. I can't say hearing Panama Unplugged does much for me.

Exactly, it just wouldn't work. But the thread is really about wishing we had a few more acoustic songs, not wishing we had an Unplugged version of existing songs.

**broken9500** · 08.10.06, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by JumpTheHotTeacher

Exactly, it just wouldn't work. But the thread is really about wishing we had a few more acoustic songs, not wishing we had an Unplugged version of existing songs.

yeah, I've always expressed my interest and support for Ed playing kazoo if that's what he wants to play...my question has always been this:

Do you guys think Ed had any interest in writing acoustic music and simply didn't follow the ideas out because of pressure to be the electric guitar god OR did he simply have no interest in the instrument beyond his wink-and-a-smile acoustic instrumentals he threw in here and there?

**ZORBA5150** · 08.10.06, 01:42 PM

Ever hear Ed do "Best of Both Worlds" with Sammy, acoustically?- that was awesome!

**Double Down** · 08.10.06, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by broken9500

Do you guys think Ed had any interest in writing acoustic music and simply didn't follow the ideas out because of pressure to be the electric guitar god OR did he simply have no interest in the instrument beyond his wink-and-a-smile acoustic instrumentals he threw in here and there?

I agree with the second part of that. I think Ed only wanted to use the acoustic to give a different flavor to a song meant for electric. Just look at a couple of examples, Whiskey and Full Bug. A quick taste of acoustic only to set up the power of the electric kicking in. But, those songs are perfect the way they are and I wouldn't change them. And really, it was very common in the 70's and 80's to use an acoustic that way. It really wasn't until the mid 90's that rock bands used acoustic as the centerpiece for a couple of songs on an album.

**smithjc** · 08.10.06, 05:06 PM

Acoustic VH?

If that was the question, that'd be no for me. Unless he were to play the stuff that's already laid down on albums, like Spanish Fly or Take Your Whiskey Home (the beginning is acoustic - w/b interesting if the whole song were that way), or Could This Be Magic.

Would definitely be worth a listen tho. If it's Halenized in any way, shape or form, I'm so there.

**WinterlessIceness** · 08.10.06, 05:19 PM

Even VH3?

..that was rhetoric

**steve mcqueen** · 08.10.06, 07:13 PM

It seems to be all about interest, Ed pretty much does what he wants as far as what he wants to play....keyboards, piano, cello. If he wanted to do a whole song on acoustic.....he would have done it. I agree it would be great to hear....as long as it was an original, I am not much for re-worked or unplugged versions of songs. Maybe we'll get something acoustic on his next album.....hey, so sue me......I'm an optimist!