Did I already miss the listening parties and Q&A?  I signed up about 2 weeks ago

Dweezil

Hi Chet,

No, you did not! We are setting the listening parties up and hoping to start next week. We will keep you posted. Best, DZ

Hey Dweezil,

Very exciting podcast, did you get a chance to talk to Steve Lukather about EVH?

Did Eddie show you all the licks in Eruption or did you work it out yourself?

Dweezil

Hi Snake,

I haven't talked to Steve Lukather yet but I plan to have a good chat with him soon!

I learned all of the licks from Eruption from listen to the recording over and over and over and over and over...

Best, DZ

I remember waiting for Diver Down to come out and feeling disappointed by it at first. I later appreciated it more, but it was a huge let down for me at the time. I got to see VH on this tour and it was such a mind blowing experience. I  haven't been to another show like that. I think it's the closest I've come to witnessing nearly Beatles levels of hysteria by a crowd. Most concerts have an up and down level of crowd noise, but this was just a constant roar. The 1984 show I went to was the same though I remember that show being more of a trainwreck at times. The audience didn't care though. At that point they could do no wrong, even if they screwed up and even bailed in the middle of a song. 

my fave off the cuff live EVH solo... https://youtu.be/cvl5wEDkjXM

 

I have to laugh because as a kid, I was the only human I knew whether child or adult who had all the albums, and I can’t remember my friends having more than maybe one. I was 12 in 84, and I had them all, knew every note and noise, every drum fill and sliding bass note, and every little squeal Roth let out. But I probably played songs like secrets for friends and they said no...no. So now I am hearing you guys basically validate everything I thought about the music, it’s energy and originality, when back then no one listened to the 12 year old! I feel vindicated and that cracks me up. Not only that but a guy who is an awesome player and knew Edward took a moment to say thanks more than once for listening to the show is just really cool. No, thank you!

Another big thumbs up Dweezil!  Tremonti is the definition of a pro and his honesty is the best part. His (and your) analysis was excellent. 

Dz- someone finally gets me! The genuine love for Fair Warning and all the nuance in the playing and the band was so satisfying. I only wish you and Nuno, Billy could keep taking for another 3 more hours. Thank you for doing such a tremendous job and answering so many questions I had about Ed’s playing. I’m already moved on to thinner picks and holding between my thumb and “the business” finger.  

Dweezil

Hi Robert,

I'm glad you're enjoying the series. As a "lifer" myself, I am still learning new things about Edward's music and techniques. The Diver Down episode is processing the upload and will be available shortly.

When will the next episode be available?

Your doing an awesome job!!!

I've been re-listening and I wish the episodes were loaded on the site differently so that when I'm playing them the next episode plays instead of the prior episode...just a thought.

Cheers.

This experience has been fun, insightful and informative.  Thank you for carrying-on the religion of VH which at its core was about bringing people together.  It’s absolutely thrilling to hear the passion and reverence for the music coming from you and your guests.  Thanks so much for taking time to explain some of the technical parts about the equipment and the playing. I am truly enjoying this like no other experience.  Thanks!

Dweezil

Hi David,

I appreciate your comment. I'm glad you're enjoying the series. There's quite a bit more still to come. Best, DZ

Mr. Zappa. I can't thank you enough. Every episode has been phenomenal. While I understand that you cannot interview EVERYONE.  I truly feel that a talk with Terry Kilgore and or Chris Holmes (maybe even George Lynch) might bring to light more onto Mr. Van Halen's early development as a guitarist seeing that they were around the band during the club days.

Again...THANK YOU!!!

 

Dweezil

Hi David,

Thank you for, I'm glad you're enjoying the series. I have spoken with George Lynch, Neal Schon and Rick Nielsen about the early days of VH as well as Greg Renoff and Brain Kehew. I'm planning a special Early Years recap episode that will feature multiple guests in one episode and serve as a transition into the Sammy Hagar era for all of us.

There are many people I would love to talk to for this series but not enough hours in the day!

Best, DZ

Hey Dweezil,

Excellent stuff here, such a treat.  Steve Vai is phenomenal.  Such a classy guy and eloquent speaker.  You should do an episode with him dedicated to Frank. It would be so cool to hear the two of you taking about that!

Dweezil

If you listen to the Oakland unchained carefully I think it’s actually Ed who screws up and starts the verse riff too early, catches himself then corrects It. Compared to the album version that’s what I’m hearing. Listen again comparing it to FW and I think you’ll agree. Great stuff as always 

Dweezil

Hey Joseph, It’s funny, cause I checked that after the episode and noticed the same thing! Dave was on point and Ed jumped the gun! In the end it was still cool to hear to hear a different version!

This whole series is a dream.  I have learned so much about his playing from these discussions and love the live clips, isolated tracks, and unreleased stuff you've been playing to illustrate points.  Looking forward to the next episodes.

The episode with Billy was great. The exchange between Dweezil and Billy, which at times included differing insights, was great food for thought. Billy was right: Eddie's smile belies the absolute fire of his playing. I am glad this episode on Fair Warning was added to the series. The Nuno episode was painfully bad. 

Great episode with Billy, love the Mammoth clips. 

fair warning is my nr 1 album all time 

it’s awesome to hear the love and respect of all the different musicians for King Edward and =VH=

Fantastic job again Dweezil, can’t wait for the next epi. That’s gotta be a special one too with Mark! 

Push comes to shove is a genius track in my mind, no matter what category you put it in it’s a dark, smoky, nasty groove almost like a movie track, and that lift in the second part of the solo is just freaking smart, just the perfect change that you don’t expect.

Dweezil

Jason, it's some of the best guitar playing ever. It's certainly my favorite EVH solo.

Great track. It owes a lot the Rolling Stones from Lee Roth's Mick Jagger-style raps to the funky feel. EVH plays one of his best solos.

Dweezil I have to say how much Alex is a factor. I have never heard mammoth until now and he nails the fills on war pigs, wow. And if you watch the Oakland unchained video, he does a fast one right before the break down that blows my mind. It’s just incredible how in time and together they always were. Such a package deal that let Edward just shine. How old were you for your first VH show again? Mine was Sammy’s first tour as I was about to finish being 11. By the time Ed was half way through his solo part of the show, I could not hear anything except the very fast metallic strike of the pick on his strings. It was so loud I couldn’t hear him anymore! Anyway fun episode with Corgan thank you!

Dweezil

Hi Jason,

Glad you’re enjoying the series. I was 12 when I saw the Diver Down tour. It was also loud as hell! It was amazing!

Dweezil, these episodes are FREAKIN' FANTASTIC!!! I've listened to them multiple times over.  You're doing great work, my friend

Dweezil

Thanks Jason! Glad you’re enjoying them! Which one is your favorite?

That's a tough question! I love them all for various reasons. You and Vai's personal stories tied to you learning guitar. Gilbert playing the lead vox melodies on guitar (which I've began to learn).  And who could forget Blues' "SACK BABY" revelation!?!

Dweezil

Good to know! That Blues story is still funny!

best, DZ

Another great one Dweezil! Out of curiosity how many more do we have left in the early years series? And are you going to include the planned ADKOT episode in that or will it be for something different? Thanks a lot !! Lee 

Dweezil

Hi Lee, 

Thanks, glad you’re enjoying the episodes. The ADKOT is planned for the Right Here Right Now bundle. As for the Early Years, we have Diver Down and 1984 left plus an early years wrap up episode - which may end up being 2 episodes. So there’s some bonus stuff to look forward to!

Thanks for the info! Looking forward to it all!