Just What is Ed capable of?

[Bad to the Bone]

Back in the 80's and early 90's Ed could do no wrong, pretty much everything he touched turned to gold, it didn't matter if it was Sam or Dave at the mic. Ed came up with some of the all time greatest guitar riffs ever and was also capable of writing some incredible music on the keyboards/piano...it seemed like nothing he did wasn't awsome. VHIII while most think it was a mess still has some awsome individual musical parts, ed's musicianship is still incredible even if the final product was less than stellar. Ed didn't do anything for along time and when he finally did turn up with BOBW the final product was-depending on who you talk to-either terrible or "pretty good". The porn stuff barely raised an eyebrow even on this site, if fact I think I listened to those 2 tracks about 3 or 4 times and that was it.

So the question is, considering that he really hasn't put out anything stellar since 1996, does Eddie Van halen still have an awsome cd left in him?


I don't know. my gut tells me no he doesn't. FUCK, Balance, Humans Being and the tunes from BOV1-well Me wise Magic anyway, I dont' really like CGTSNM-are probably the last great things we'll hear from Ed. Seems to me his mind is all over the place, the 3 songs from BOBW to me sound like a mess, I'm not talking lyrically but musically. They're all overe the place, If you compare them to stuff from 1984 or 5150 or even Balance I think you'll see that the song structure just isn't there. I also wonder how much "control" ed wants over his product. Seems to me he wants to be involved in everything-from production, to mixing, playing bass etc. I think a big part of the problem for the last few VH projects has been Ed wanting to do everything, I've said it before and I'll say it again: Sit down, play your guitar or your keyboards and shut the fuck up. Let mike play his bass, let al play his drums, let the guy producing porduce and let Sam or Dave or whoever write and sing.......

anyway what do you guys think?

[AT]

I think you're voicing a general thought amoungst the more loyal fans.

I did an interesting thing yesterday... I just started loading up iTunes on my computer in anticipation of buying an iPod. I did all the VH--every CD and import thingies I've got. Once they were on the computer, I sat and my desk and just flipped from song to song. (Incidentally, I had a very profound "rediscovery" of Women and Children First--FUCK there's some good stuff happening on that album!). I couldn't help but be reminded of how well VH music would gel so much on all the albums--especially the first five (more "live" in the studio and less "produced") but even everything 1984 and beyond (excluding III). Since Ed started sticking his hands in more with recording, bass playing, and mixing, the songs have become WAY overcooked, jagged, and sonically messy; the mixes on the three BOBW songs (which I do think were very good songs) remind me of the mixes I did of my own music when I was first starting out as an engineer--lacking balance, smooth transitions between parts, and a lot of frequency cancellation from instruments clashing. I appreciate that Ed wants to own his music and the process, but top-notch engineers and a producer that pushes him seems to render better results. Of course the Templeman/Landee combination was gold, but the Ballard/Musper combination on the two new Best Of songs had VH sounding perhaps their finest. So, yes, I agree that the biggest thing missing from VH music 1998 and beyond is the resounding input of a trusted producer and engineer.

[Bad to the Bone]

I think you're voicing a general thought amoungst the more loyal fans.

I did an interesting thing yesterday... I just started loading up iTunes on my computer in anticipation of buying an iPod. I did all the VH--every CD and import thingies I've got. Once they were on the computer, I sat and my desk and just flipped from song to song. (Incidentally, I had a very profound "rediscovery" of Women and Children First--FUCK there's some good stuff happening on that album!). I couldn't help but be reminded of how well VH music would gel so much on all the albums--especially the first five (more "live" in the studio and less "produced") but even everything 1984 and beyond (excluding III). Since Ed started sticking his hands in more with recording, bass playing, and mixing, the songs have become WAY overcooked, jagged, and sonically messy; the mixes on the three BOBW songs (which I do think were very good songs) remind me of the mixes I did of my own music when I was first starting out as an engineer--lacking balance, smooth transitions between parts, and a lot of frequency cancellation from instruments clashing. I appreciate that Ed wants to own his music and the process, but top-notch engineers and a producer that pushes him seems to render better results. Of course the Templeman/Landee combination was gold, but the Ballard/Musper combination on the two new Best Of songs had VH sounding perhaps their finest. So, yes, I agree that the biggest thing missing from VH music 1998 and beyond is the resounding input of a trusted producer and engineer.

I wonder how much Sam and Dave had to do with the overall song structures and arrangements while they were in the band. I know for a fact-or at least Sam says he was in and out of the studio in a couple of hours so he didn't hve to run into Eddie so he probably didn't have alot to do with the music for BOBW. Andy Johns had ALOT to do with the arrangements when he was producing. So were the arrangements all ed back then? If so, why do his arrangements seem so choppy on the newer material?

[AT]

I wonder how much Sam and Dave had to do with the overall song structures and arrangements while they were in the band. I know for a fact-or at least Sam says he was in and out of the studio in a couple of hours so he didn't hve to run into Eddie so he probably didn't have alot to do with the music for BOBW. Andy Johns had ALOT to do with the arrangements when he was producing. So were the arrangements all ed back then? If so, why do his arrangements seem so choppy on the newer material?

That's true. Eddie gave Mick Jones a lot of credit for the arrangement of "Dreams," because Ed had different ideas for the sections. Sammy always said it was mostly he and Al saying, "Let's use this part for the verse, and this section needs to be shorter," and so on. As of III the arrangements got longer and lacked the sometimes-necessary brevity. (I've always said a good song will leave you wanting more.)

[Greenpaw]

I'm sure he's capable of anything if he could kick the booze.

I really think that the booze and any ther demons he may be dabbling or drowning in, are ruining the one of the greatest guitarists to walk the Earth.

[Model Citizen]

Personally, I would love to see the original CVH lineup work with Mutt Lange.

Sigh, a man can dream can't he?

[DoHalen5150]

I'm sure he's capable of anything if he could kick the booze.

I really think that the booze and any ther demons he may be dabbling or drowning in, are ruining the one of the greatest guitarists to walk the Earth.

He was always known for his partying back in the day when he was creating all the glory that we know of today(the only "sober" time was during balance I believe, someone correct me if i'm wrong). I don't really think it is the booze or drugs that are keeping him from putting out an album, he's a musician for christ sakes, and thats usually part of the deal. I think he's probably realized that Van Halen as a band has run its course. I'm sure he wishes it didn't end the way it did, and I bet he really did want to put out those "ten albums" worth of material. The reality is that he and everyone else in the van halen family need to move on.

[Greenpaw]

He was always known for his partying back in the day when he was creating all the glory that we know of today(the only "sober" time was during balance I believe, someone correct me if i'm wrong). I don't really think it is the booze or drugs that are keeping him from putting out an album, he's a musician for christ sakes, and thats usually part of the deal.

He's not 25 years old anymore though. That stuff takes a toll on a person's body and mind, not to mention cancer, divorce, the breakup(s) of his band.

[Number 47]

I think the music for the three new songs on BOBW was just fine. IMO it was Sammy that dropped the ball that time with the lyrics and melody. I could always listen to any VH song with any singer and separate the music from the vocals, but on IAT, UFB and LTS it's all Sammy, all the time in my ears.

I'm not really slamming Sam, but IMO the music was there, and the lyrics and melodies for those songs were all wrong.

I just don't think Sam and Ed had any connection by that point and it shows in the mess that became their last songs together.

Ed's got the music in him, he just needs someone that can spark him again and set it off.

[Bad to the Bone]

I think the music for the three new songs on BOBW was just fine. IMO it was Sammy that dropped the ball that time with the lyrics and melody. I could always listen to any VH song with any singer and separate the music from the vocals, but on IAT, UFB and LTS it's all Sammy, all the time in my ears.

I'm not really slamming Sam, but IMO the music was there, and the lyrics and melodies for those songs were all wrong.

I just don't think Sam and Ed had any connection by that point and it shows in the mess that became their last songs together.

Ed's got the music in him, he just needs someone that can spark him again and set it off.

I think you're right with the connection being gone. LTS was the first song they did together and it's the best of the 3 after that I think Sam and Ed just didn't click anymore.

Lyrics aside, the songs are choppy to me and not structured very well plus I hate the production. After Balance and listening to Sam's solo albums I thought the production would be great but it jsut sounded like garbage to me.

[Zahzoo]

I believe Ed could create some stellar stuff... here it comes... hang on... almost there...

But...

He needs a producer with a vision and a titanium spine!!

He needs an engineer with steel balls!!

He needs 3 other musicians to collaborate with...

And finally he needs his lazy ass kicked out of 5150 and neutral ground to pull it all off.

We've heard his solo crap... time for a band project.

[seenbad]

The artist formerly known as the great Edward Van is now capable of ....

3 minute long sustainer notes and a whammy bar dive.

Long pause for dramatic effect. Bow. Exit.

[Rocket]

Two words: Motor Skills

[Zahzoo]

The artist formerly known as the great Edward Van is now capable of ....

3 minute long sustainer notes and a whammy bar dive.

Long pause for dramatic effect. Bow. Exit.

Amen!!

Death to the infidel sustainers!! May they rot in hell...

[AllThaStuff]

I think you're voicing a general thought amongst the more loyal fans.

Agreed.

So, yes, I agree that the biggest thing missing from VH music 1998 and beyond is the resounding input of a trusted producer and engineer.

Don't forget the A&R rep. He/she would have significant input into a final album. I think this boils down to the simple fact that, as brilliant as he is, Eddie needs some direction; someone to run the overall project. Just my $.02.

Rob