I've been looking forward to the VHIII episode since I subscribed here. What a let down. Suddenly there is a 7 minute time limit to discuss each song? And you get two guys that don't like the album, didn't want to talk about it, haven't listened to it more than once in 24 years, and get them judge each song based on the intro? Every other episode has been excellent. WTF happened to make you give up on this project?
This album has always been a challenge for Van Halen fans. No matter how the album is approached there are some obstacles to overcome. The music is not as familiar to many fans and for that reason I decided to shift the parameters of the podcast to create a “first listen” type of experience rather than a deeper exploration. We did try to bring out the best hidden gems that resonated with us and we did explore theories behind the creative process but we wanted to keep the pace moving so that each song could have roughly the same amount of discussion time, hence the 7 minutes.
I’ve put a tremendous amount of effort and energy into this project because I’m a life long fan. I really do try to make every episode as good as I possible can so I see things from a different perspective than you.
Much like VHIII, the boundaries of the content style were pushed.
I would be curious to know more about some things you felt were missing. Maybe I’ll be able to do a follow up.
You should do a follow up! I think you should do it only do it with people that know the album (as challenging as that may seem to find an older VH "fan" willing to listen and not immediately shit all over the first track because it starts with an acoustic guitar and piano). I think going for a "first listen experience" does not do any justice to it at all. None of the other episodes followed that format and this isn't American Idol right? This is supposed to be a celebration of Ed's legacy right?
I did enjoy hearing the origins of some the riffs. Ed did extensive interviews with Guitar World about the writing and the recording of almost every song. That "shaker" on "Dirty Water Dog" is actually Ed sweeping the floor and you hear Ed say "shit" as the handle breaks off.
Maybe my expectation were too high but I figured you would be devoting the same amount of time and detail to each album to really explore the VH discography as a whole. But listening to that last episode I can totally see why Ed really lost the passion for releasing new music when his own friends and fans weren't even willing to really listen anymore.
will the non-album tracks from Greatest Hits and Best of Both Worlds compilations be addressed at some point. Would love to hear your take on those tunes.
Thanks for the new episode Dweezil. To add another layer of light to the long tortured genesis of “Dirty Water Dog” I thought you might enjoy “Twist The Knife” from your buddy Steve Lukather’s early solo album. Ed gave Steve that VH riff/song whilst also lending his own bass playing on it. Also the term “dirty water dog” was coined by little Wolfgang to describe hotdogs at baseball game vendors.
Baluchitherium was always my favorite song off Balance. When I first heard it, I thought the riff always sounded like the riff from the song Eyes of Love by Trevor Rabin. Years later I remember reading in some guitar magazine an interview with Trevor Rabin where he mentioned that Eddie contacted him to make sure he was ok with the riff sound similar to his song. I wish I could find the article as I thought if I remember correctly, it either sounded like they were friends and Eddie asked before album was released or maybe he tried giving Trevor some credit or $ or something? Too long ago to remember the article exactly, but what I got from the interview was that Eddie was a pretty stand-up guy for the influence/ coincidence of that riff.
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I've been looking forward to the VHIII episode since I subscribed here. What a let down. Suddenly there is a 7 minute time limit to discuss each song? And you get two guys that don't like the album, didn't want to talk about it, haven't listened to it more than once in 24 years, and get them judge each song based on the intro? Every other episode has been excellent. WTF happened to make you give up on this project?
Hi Matt,
This album has always been a challenge for Van Halen fans. No matter how the album is approached there are some obstacles to overcome. The music is not as familiar to many fans and for that reason I decided to shift the parameters of the podcast to create a “first listen” type of experience rather than a deeper exploration. We did try to bring out the best hidden gems that resonated with us and we did explore theories behind the creative process but we wanted to keep the pace moving so that each song could have roughly the same amount of discussion time, hence the 7 minutes.
I’ve put a tremendous amount of effort and energy into this project because I’m a life long fan. I really do try to make every episode as good as I possible can so I see things from a different perspective than you.
Much like VHIII, the boundaries of the content style were pushed.
I would be curious to know more about some things you felt were missing. Maybe I’ll be able to do a follow up.
You should do a follow up! I think you should do it only do it with people that know the album (as challenging as that may seem to find an older VH "fan" willing to listen and not immediately shit all over the first track because it starts with an acoustic guitar and piano). I think going for a "first listen experience" does not do any justice to it at all. None of the other episodes followed that format and this isn't American Idol right? This is supposed to be a celebration of Ed's legacy right?
I did enjoy hearing the origins of some the riffs. Ed did extensive interviews with Guitar World about the writing and the recording of almost every song. That "shaker" on "Dirty Water Dog" is actually Ed sweeping the floor and you hear Ed say "shit" as the handle breaks off.
Maybe my expectation were too high but I figured you would be devoting the same amount of time and detail to each album to really explore the VH discography as a whole. But listening to that last episode I can totally see why Ed really lost the passion for releasing new music when his own friends and fans weren't even willing to really listen anymore.
Dweezil—
will the non-album tracks from Greatest Hits and Best of Both Worlds compilations be addressed at some point. Would love to hear your take on those tunes.
Hi Jared,
I do plan to explore those songs as well. Just working on guests at the moment.
Wow!!! TWO episodes in one week? I've died and went to guitar heaven! Listening to it now! Thanks Dweezil!!
Thanks for the new episode Dweezil. To add another layer of light to the long tortured genesis of “Dirty Water Dog” I thought you might enjoy “Twist The Knife” from your buddy Steve Lukather’s early solo album. Ed gave Steve that VH riff/song whilst also lending his own bass playing on it. Also the term “dirty water dog” was coined by little Wolfgang to describe hotdogs at baseball game vendors.
Luke's first solo disc is KILLER! In fact, I was just listening to it a few days ago. Great album!
I totally forgot about that! Thanks for posting. Also, that’s a funny story about the title. I never heard that before.
Baluchitherium was always my favorite song off Balance. When I first heard it, I thought the riff always sounded like the riff from the song Eyes of Love by Trevor Rabin. Years later I remember reading in some guitar magazine an interview with Trevor Rabin where he mentioned that Eddie contacted him to make sure he was ok with the riff sound similar to his song. I wish I could find the article as I thought if I remember correctly, it either sounded like they were friends and Eddie asked before album was released or maybe he tried giving Trevor some credit or $ or something? Too long ago to remember the article exactly, but what I got from the interview was that Eddie was a pretty stand-up guy for the influence/ coincidence of that riff.