EVH Playin' the Blues

[Heisenberg]

There were some posts here recently about EVH & " the blues".

EVH made a comment in a Guitar World Magazine Interview stating, " I don't play the blues because I don't have the blues"

One of the very few EVH interview quotes that is in fact honest.

But- We know EVH can play the blues if he wanted to. But the EVH fans (IMO) are a little fuzzy on their description of blues.

I intend to post clear descriptions as examples later on in this thread as examples. Billy Gibbons will be my #1 point of referance.

Here's a video popped up on the recently uploaded results from Youtube search....titled....EVH plays the blues....

Is it the blues.....or is it just EVH noodling...

The answer is not up to me. I don't know. I have a hunch but not sure.

[Raldo]

There were some posts here recently about EVH & " the blues".

EVH made a comment in a Guitar World Magazine Interview stating, " I don't play the blues because I don't have the blues"

One of the very few EVH interview quotes that is in fact honest.

But- We know EVH can play the blues if he wanted to. But the EVH fans (IMO) are a little fuzzy on their description of blues.

I intend to post clear descriptions as examples later on in this thread as examples. Billy Gibbons will be my #1 point of referance.

Here's a video popped up on the recently uploaded results from Youtube search....titled....EVH plays the blues....

Is it the blues.....or is it just EVH noodling...

The answer is not up to me. I don't know. I have a hunch but not sure.

A little of both.

[JUNGLE DRUMMER]

A little of both.

I haven't watched the video yet, but playing the blues and noodling always go hand in hand, so I have a hunch you are probably correct.

[fudd]

Just seemed like part of the year to the day jam to me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jedi McFly]

IMO the clip posted is not traditional blues. It's not even an EVH interpretation of traditional blues. As Fudd mentioned, it's just part of the live arrangement of YTTD.

Here's EVH's take on the blues. Starts at about 59:00 in.

[James in New York]

Plus this...

[japeape]

All i know is Jeff Beck stated: Underneath it all, Van Halen's really a fantastic blues player.

[Van Squalen]

Yeah. Dudes that don’t hear blues in virtually all EVH’s six pack play...I just don’t get it.

[japeape]

Yeah, you really hear it as the foundation to what he does.

He plays those licks & bends with such authority, you can tell he really worked on it,
in his early years of woodshedding.

Clapton was a dick, because Ed was not a "traditional" blues player.
But, of course, Beck understood it.

Everyone should check out the Beck tune, Brush with the blues.

Reminded me of Eddie's approach to the Blues.

[Sloth]

I'd give my left nut to hear "Young Man Blues" without Sam screechming through the whole thing.

[MF5150]

Yeah. I'd consider that EVH playing the Blues. Is it Born Under a Bad Sign or I'm Tore Down? No.

But he is playing, for the most part, blues licks. Over non-traditional rock (some could argue minor blues-ish *a stretch I know*) changes.

And yes it's part of the arrangement of YTTD and it's in Eddie's style, but the recorded solo on that track, was pure blues. Almost everything Eddie does with his whammy bar and his two-handed tapping in that solo, aside from the technique, sounded like blues licks, to me. Executed by EVH, mind you. So it sounds like only he could. Now, that shit can be abused and tricked out by many who try to copy it and force it into their playing. But to emote with it through your instrument, like he does. It's authentic. It's the blues, man.

Clapton has his own style.
Stevie had his own style.
BB had his own style.
Bonamassa has his own style.
Gales has his own style.
Beck definitely has his own style. Definitely.

Aside from personal opinion, one doesn't sound more "like the blues" than the other. They ALL play the blues. And you very often know within 3 notes, who's playing. EVH is no different.




The above is EVH playing over more traditional Blues changes, so naturally it sounds more "like the blues", I suppose. Yet it still sounds like EVH.

All I know is. It all sounds gorgeous.

My opinion.

And since we're on the topic. Some pure fire at the hands of Nerdville's own.

[VH1986]

I'd give my left nut to hear "Young Man Blues" without Sam screechming through the whole thing.

Sam is what sells it, kid.

[PrideofPasadena]

As said, Ed is all about the blues. He grew up listening to Clapton, Beck, Page....
Just like them, blues is all over his stuff. He's not in the traditional vein but he laid down some incredible blues licks thru his career.

[PrideofPasadena]

A few bluesy things..

[japeape]

Yeah. I'd consider that EVH playing the Blues. Is it Born Under a Bad Sign or I'm Tore Down? No.

But he is playing, for the most part, blues licks. Over non-traditional rock (some could argue minor blues-ish *a stretch I know*) changes.

And yes it's part of the arrangement of YTTD and it's in Eddie's style, but the recorded solo on that track, was pure blues. Almost everything Eddie does with his whammy bar and his two-handed tapping in that solo, aside from the technique, sounded like blues licks, to me. Executed by EVH, mind you. So it sounds like only he could. Now, that shit can be abused and tricked out by many who try to copy it and force it into their playing. But to emote with it through your instrument, like he does. It's authentic. It's the blues, man.

Clapton has his own style.
Stevie had his own style.
BB had his own style.
Bonamassa has his own style.
Gales has his own style.
Beck definitely has his own style. Definitely.

Aside from personal opinion, one doesn't sound more "like the blues" than the other. They ALL play the blues. And you very often know within 3 notes, who's playing. EVH is no different.




The above is EVH playing over more traditional Blues changes, so naturally it sounds more "like the blues", I suppose. Yet it still sounds like EVH.

All I know is. It all sounds gorgeous.

My opinion.

And since we're on the topic. Some pure fire at the hands of Nerdville's own.

Bonamassa sounds really good with the EVH.

I know both he & John Mayer are closeted Nuno fans, and in that context, you can
really hear his more hard rock side.
Especially, the alternate picked three note per string ascension.