Enigmatic_minstrel
Second Lieutenant   Posts: 68 Registered: 12/29/2003 Status: Offline
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 posted on 5/14/2004 at 07:50 |
We've just looked at Hendrix's Are you experienced, which we decided was a
landmark in rock guitar. Now I thought we'd turn to another landmark album,
the first Van Halen one.
Van Halen often get a bad press, and lots of modern bands associate them
(incorrectly) with 80's hair metal. The truth is, Van Halen 1 came out in
the late 70's, and their hair wasnt any worse than most 70's bands.
The music however was groundbreaking. Eddie's tone on that album is still
(in my opinion) one of the greatest in rock (if not THE greatest). The
songwriting was quality, the showmanship was perfect (thanks DLR), and
Eddie's playing stunning.
Yes, this is the first album to feature serious use of tapping, but Eddie
had everything from great legato, big stretches, perfect string bending and
most importantly TASTE.
Overlooked however, was Eddie's rhythm playing- the crunching tone combined
with tight playing helped give his inventive use of chord inversions real
force. Just listen to Aint Talking about Love, or I'm the One.
Importantly, in my opinion, Eddie refrained from traditional blues
imitation, (at the same time as Jeff Beck was moving towards Jazz,
interestingly). Instead we had supercharged rock replacing tired old
blues licks (sorry blues fans, but blues is just too overdone). Sonic
shapes and crazy scale choices were eddies thing, check out the 'Jump' solo
from 1984.
So if fun, inventive and irresistable rock is what you want, or you want to
hear a true master guitarist, give it some Van Halen!
My score, 9/10.
What do others think? ____________________
Cough cough jazz cough cough
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brian
Moderator   Posts: 1042 Registered: 12/22/2003 Status: Offline |
posted on 5/14/2004 at 21:07, Reply 1 |
This is a great album Van Halen 1.
Guitar Playing was getting over hendrixfied per say then Eddie came along
made it all fresh again.
One this album you will hear percussion tapping, tremolo picking,dive
bombs,tap harmonics, piano style counterpoint and more........ Yeap he was
the god father of late 70's 80's guitar playing.
This album better be in your collection or you missed the boat.
Don't learn aftermarket Eddie licks from someone like CC Deville from
Poisen get the real deal. Come on it's been out since 1978.
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ricoboc
Moderator  Posts: 278 Registered: 4/27/2004 Status: Offline |
posted on 5/16/2004 at 03:42, Reply 2 |
This is a great album.
I was a youngster when this was released.
At the time I was learning songs such as , " Happiness Is A Warm Gun ", "
All Along The Watch Tower" , ect.,ect.,.
When I heard the intro to 'You Really Got Me"...the classic "ERUPTION", I
thought ,Man!!!! How is he doing this stuff...It opened my eyes to a entire
new world of guitar playing...from that moment on I knew it would take
dedication and hours of practice to really understand the guitar....
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HotSnakes
First Lieutenant   Posts: 3 Registered: 10/22/2004 Status: Offline |
 posted on 10/22/2004 at 11:32, Reply 3 |
The opening guitar riff to "Ain't talkin' 'bout love" (man, that title has
a lot of apostrophes) never fails to give me the chills.
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Spidercents
Moderator  Posts: 1011 Registered: 7/29/2004 Status: Offline |
posted on 10/22/2004 at 19:34, Reply 4 |
| I like the intro to aint talkin bout love...Im always surprised how Eddy
can make something so simple sound so different then anyone else... ____________________
Treat people the way you would want to be treated.
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weedhopper1
First Lieutenant Posts: 9 Registered: 1/29/2005 Status: Offline |
posted on 2/2/2005 at 08:56, Reply 5 |
Eddie Van Halen is on the top of my list! When the first album hit i was
just starting to play guitar and i was mesmorized by his ability, it was
also very intimidating for a newbie!He no doubt paved the way and set a
whole new standard for "guitar rock god"..I was thrilled when sammy hagar
came on board to allow eddie more freedom to do other things without having
to carry the whole song, and i think 5150 was equal if not better in terms
of showcasing eddies playing, but the first album was and still is an
amazing thing.....
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Spidercents
Moderator Posts: 1011 Registered: 7/29/2004 Status: Offline |
posted on 2/2/2005 at 13:18, Reply 6 |
As much as I like Van Halen 1 my Favorite album of thiers is 5150...It took
a while to grow on me however I think the lead guitar has more direction
and melody...which is better than just playing lead fast just for the sake
of being fast...Unfortunalty this was the last album I liked of Van
Halen...OU812 was cool guitar wise however the songs were not that great
and his guitar was sounding to mechanical for me...When its love and finish
what you started are ok...enough with" love" in the song titles
already...
____________________
Treat people the way you would want to be treated.
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