Whenever I think about this era I think of Ed on the cover of Guitar World wearing a black t-shirt with white letters that read “WHO THE FUCK IS EDDIE VAN HALEN?” What a badass.
Aside from finding his “musical soulmate” in Gary, what do you think it was about the writing and recording of this album that made Ed so on fire creatively?
Is VH3 most akin to Fair Warning in the sense that Ed was really taking control over what was going to be on these records?
This album features the most varied guitar tones across a VH record. What is your theory on why that is? Do you think the overall dryness of the guitar was a conscious reaction to the sounds he was using on F.U.C.K. and Balance?
Michael Anthony supposedly only played on three songs. Where do you think his vocals and bass playing would have fit in to make certain songs better or more like “classic” Van Halen?
Do you think the album’s less than perfect sound started on the engineering end, during mixing, or both? In your opinion and with your experience why do you think the band and label were content with the production? Do you think these tracks are technically demos?
For all of its supposed flaws I really do love this record. It is RAW. I'm curious to hear what you think about his leads on "Without You", "Once", and "A Year To The Day".
Josephina is pretty cool IMO. As you say, lots of interesting playing on VH3 - Eddie got creative with this Transtrem guitar on Fire In The Hole, and also the tune Primary, with some kind of Sitar-like instrument.
Do you happen to know what Ed is doing in the end of Pleasure Dome at around the last 40 seconds of the song it sounds to me like he is tapping. I have never seen Ed play this live. He has played some of Pleasure Dome live but not this part. You Tube has many playing this part not tapped but it sounds tapped to me? Your take?
Hello Dweezil. This is non EVH related but I’d really love to hear you and Warren Demartini go through his criminally under appreciated solo album Crazy Enough To Sing To You with this same treatment It is a record that I listen to a couple times a month. It’s one of those that, for me, every note, effect and arrangement is perfect.
Hi Dweezil, I may have missed an update elsewhere on the site, but will the Andy Wood Balance episode be posted anytime soon? Really looking forward to Andy's comments on one of my favorite VH albums.
And as a quick follow up question: will you also create an episode for VHIII? I know it’s not a fan favorite and it is not perfect, but in my humble opinion it is very much underrated and I'd certainly be interested in a discussion!
I agree Rolf, I think VH III is an important album to talk about. IMO Gary was singing in the wrong register most of the time, the vocals on that album just didn't work. I think he is an excellent singer in the context of Extreme, but it didn't gel on VH III. But that said, Eddie poured his heart and soul into that record and his playing evolved once again. He played some really creative cool guitar all over that album. I think the way VH III was so poorly received sadly had a lot to do with Eddie not releasing any new music for so long afterwards.
Yes! I'm putting the little bits of frosting and finishing touches on the episode and I hope to have it posted soon. I do have a VH III episode planned with Blues Saraceno and James Santiago. It hasn't been recorded yet. We will go song by song though!
VHIII is the one I listen to the most. Reading Eddie's interviews in Guitar World from that period got me into the band. I hope "Once" gets the attention it deserves.
Van Halen fans often end up with preferences that relate to specific eras or even a preference for a single album. It is rare to hear a fan choose VHIII as their top choice! When I do the episode on VHIII I'd love to hear some specific questions you might have about the album. I'm going to be recording the episode in a week or so. Best, DZ
I also echo lots of Love for VH3. For me it is the 90's fair warning in that he was VERY experimental. Knowing that Alex was going through a divorce at the time and this is the album would have expected to hear as a solo album as I've heard Eddie played drums on some of the songs as well. Fire in the Hole is a great example as that song is over and EVH tears off into another riff at the end of it. His genius was his unpredictability and this album showcases it.
I would personally love an episode of the bonus tracks from both greatest hits albums.
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Hi Dweezil…I haven't been on here for a while...I’ve enjoyed everything so far, including the recent Satch episodes. Thanks!
What's the latest word on the 'Brown Sound' episode, and the Fractal, Kemper presets/profiles??? Thanks in advance for an update.
…A reply from Dweezil to my question is all I’m looking for. Thanks anyway, Jeff G.
Hey Dweezil,
Back to VH3...
Whenever I think about this era I think of Ed on the cover of Guitar World wearing a black t-shirt with white letters that read “WHO THE FUCK IS EDDIE VAN HALEN?” What a badass.
Aside from finding his “musical soulmate” in Gary, what do you think it was about the writing and recording of this album that made Ed so on fire creatively?
Is VH3 most akin to Fair Warning in the sense that Ed was really taking control over what was going to be on these records?
This album features the most varied guitar tones across a VH record. What is your theory on why that is? Do you think the overall dryness of the guitar was a conscious reaction to the sounds he was using on F.U.C.K. and Balance?
Michael Anthony supposedly only played on three songs. Where do you think his vocals and bass playing would have fit in to make certain songs better or more like “classic” Van Halen?
Do you think the album’s less than perfect sound started on the engineering end, during mixing, or both? In your opinion and with your experience why do you think the band and label were content with the production? Do you think these tracks are technically demos?
For all of its supposed flaws I really do love this record. It is RAW. I'm curious to hear what you think about his leads on "Without You", "Once", and "A Year To The Day".
Thanks Dweezil.
Josephina is pretty cool IMO. As you say, lots of interesting playing on VH3 - Eddie got creative with this Transtrem guitar on Fire In The Hole, and also the tune Primary, with some kind of Sitar-like instrument.
"Josephina" is a great deep cut! They must have been really excited about it to put it on the album instead of "That's Why I Love You".
Dweezil,
Do you happen to know what Ed is doing in the end of Pleasure Dome at around the last 40 seconds of the song it sounds to me like he is tapping. I have never seen Ed play this live. He has played some of Pleasure Dome live but not this part. You Tube has many playing this part not tapped but it sounds tapped to me? Your take?
Dave
Hello Dweezil.
This is non EVH related but I’d really love to hear you and Warren Demartini go through his criminally under appreciated solo album Crazy Enough To Sing To You with this same treatment
It is a record that I listen to a couple times a month. It’s one of those that, for me, every note, effect and arrangement is perfect.
Thank you for all you share here.
Aloha,
Jay
Hi Dweezil, I may have missed an update elsewhere on the site, but will the Andy Wood Balance episode be posted anytime soon? Really looking forward to Andy's comments on one of my favorite VH albums.
And as a quick follow up question: will you also create an episode for VHIII? I know it’s not a fan favorite and it is not perfect, but in my humble opinion it is very much underrated and I'd certainly be interested in a discussion!
I agree Rolf, I think VH III is an important album to talk about. IMO Gary was singing in the wrong register most of the time, the vocals on that album just didn't work. I think he is an excellent singer in the context of Extreme, but it didn't gel on VH III. But that said, Eddie poured his heart and soul into that record and his playing evolved once again. He played some really creative cool guitar all over that album. I think the way VH III was so poorly received sadly had a lot to do with Eddie not releasing any new music for so long afterwards.
Hi Rolf,
Yes! I'm putting the little bits of frosting and finishing touches on the episode and I hope to have it posted soon. I do have a VH III episode planned with Blues Saraceno and James Santiago. It hasn't been recorded yet. We will go song by song though!
VHIII is the one I listen to the most. Reading Eddie's interviews in Guitar World from that period got me into the band. I hope "Once" gets the attention it deserves.
Hi Matt,
Van Halen fans often end up with preferences that relate to specific eras or even a preference for a single album. It is rare to hear a fan choose VHIII as their top choice! When I do the episode on VHIII I'd love to hear some specific questions you might have about the album. I'm going to be recording the episode in a week or so. Best, DZ
I also echo lots of Love for VH3. For me it is the 90's fair warning in that he was VERY experimental. Knowing that Alex was going through a divorce at the time and this is the album would have expected to hear as a solo album as I've heard Eddie played drums on some of the songs as well. Fire in the Hole is a great example as that song is over and EVH tears off into another riff at the end of it. His genius was his unpredictability and this album showcases it.
I would personally love an episode of the bonus tracks from both greatest hits albums.