Exploring 'new-to-me' artists...

audiobliss

I kind of group Van Halen, Led Zepellin, and Pink Floyd (and Lynyrd Skynyrd, though to a lesser degree) together, labeling them as 'hard rock', and as being something I'm not only not familiar with with regards to the genre in general, but also concerning those groups. I couldn't tell you a single song those three groups did.

Not only my exploration of different genres in search of previously undiscovered/unappreciated styles, but also the vast popularity and perhaps even influence these three groups have had on music as a whole has fueled my desire to at the least become acquainted with them, if not learn to enjoy their music.

I say all that to say, I am currently in the process of becoming acquainted with them - well, at least two of them. A friend gave me copies of a few CD's, and I've been spinning them the last few days.

Here's what he gave me...

Van halen:
Balance, 5150

Led Zepellin:
I, II, III, Zoso, Houses of the Holy

I left the Van Halen CD's in the car and have been listening to the Led Zepellin CD's in the house. As it would turn out, I've been in the car much more here lately than at home.


I'm really digging the VH Balance CD! There's some good stuff on there! The first song (The Seventh Seal, I believe) is really good, and I just love the 7th song (Not Enough?)! I popped in 5150 for a while but quickly put Balance back in its place.

As for Led Zepellin, I still haven't gotten past the second song on I, though there's a lot of good acoustic guitar in both of those songs.

So, anyhoo, for some reason I just wanted to say that. Perhaps I'll run across some Pink Floyd (and Lynyrd Skynyrd) stuff here soon.

polrbehr

If you don't give a listen to any of VHs' stuff with David Lee Roth, you're letting the good ones pass you by, IMO!
I happen to like Sammy Hagar, but they weren't quite the same after DLR.

Their debut album is unbelievable.(Just about the whole thing)
Diver Down has its moments, too. (Little Guitars, Pretty Woman)
And while you're at it, try 1984. A little "poppish" at times, but a nice departure from their usual style nevertheless. My .02
Enjoy.

audiobliss

Seeing as how I don't know much about this and am interested in learning, I'm going to show my ignorance.

Who's David Lee Roth? Sammy Hagar? DLR? And then the album's you listed...what group are they from?

Thanks for the advice...as soon as I decipher it, I'll be in business!

polrbehr

If you're not just havin' fun with me...

All references listed are from Van Halen.
David Lee Roth was their frontman til '85.
He was replaced by Sammy Hagar (lead singer on Balance and 5150)

Their debut album (aka Van Halen l) appeared in 1977-78.
Diver Down, 1982
1984, pretty much self-explanatory.

audiobliss

Awesome. I wasn't kidding, so I really appreciate the info. I thought I recognized the name Sammy Hagar, but I couldn't place it, not even in this context! lol

Is David Lee Roth or Sammy Hagar generally preferred by VH fans? Did they have a significant affect on the band's style?

Thanks!

Danny Tse

Here's my take on Van Halen....

When DLR was the lead singer, VH was the ultimate party band. DLR doesn't take himself too seriously and this was the time when Eddie really lets loose on the guitar solos. However, due to DLR's limited vocal range, Eddie really couldn't write the songs he wanted. When DLR left after "1984", you can hear the music, in some ways, opening up....

while Sammy was the superior vocalist, some of the "fun factor" from the DLR era escaped as well. The band start playing it safe and the songs became really "pedestrian". On one hand, I think the band should mature and grow in terms of their creativity....but not to the point of sounding like a Michael Bolton pop ballad sound-alike. Then Sammy left, or was fired....

then all hell broke loose. The album with Gary-what's-his-name, Van Halen III, was gawd-awful. Major yuck!!

Edit: Audiobliss, don't ask the Dave vs. Sammy question. I think most people prefer DLR, but I like Sammy just fine. It's really 2 different versions of the band....kind of like Genesis with Peter Gabriel/Phil Collins as the lead vocalist.

You may know Sammy Hagar for his own solo hit "I Can't Drive 55" (now updated to 65).

audiobliss

Very interesting. Thanks for your take on it. I noticed the guy really does have an incredible vocal range! I guess that'd be Sammy Hagar.

I'll have to find something from when DLR was the lead singer. I'd like to hear some guitar. Err, I *think* I'd like to hear some guitar. But that's what all of this is about...finding out what who's about and whether I like it.

Thanks!

audiobliss

Now, for what I forgot to ask above...

Who is Eddie, what does he play, and does he write all the songs they do? How active is VH today?

Danny Tse

audiobliss wrote:

Now, for what I forgot to ask above...

Who is Eddie, what does he play, and does he write all the songs they do? How active is VH today?

Eddie is Eddie Van Halen, or EVH. He is the guitar player in the band and he's perhaps one of the most important guitar players ever to strap on the electric guitar. Go get yourself VH's debut album and listen to "Eruption"....that pretty much tell you the whole story about why EVH is so good. Oh, he also played the solo on Michael Jackson's "Thriller". You can do a search on Eddie Van Halen in the Clubhouse section of the forum....there're a number of threads that you can read up on.

His brother Alex plays the drums and Michael Anthony plays the bass. Michael can be heard with his distinctive background vocals.

I think "5150" is probably the best of the Sammy-era VH albums. The songs are great, with just the right amount of keyboards added in. There's a big debate on whether EVH should feature keyboards into the VH sound since the electric guitar is all you'll think of when one mentions VH. A number of VH hits featured keyboards as the dominant instrument in the arrangement, such as "Jump" and "Right Now". Nonetheless, there'll always be an electric guitar solo somewhere.

audiobliss

Ahh, so that's where the 'Van Halen' came from. I guess he started things, eh?

Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and Michael Anthony. Now I know three of the guys! How many are there?

Thanks for all your info...I apprecaite it!

Danny Tse

audiobliss wrote:

Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and Michael Anthony. Now I know three of the guys! How many are there?

Add DLR, Sammy Hagar, or Gary Cherone as lead singer and you'll have different versions of the band.

Just to add to your confusion, Sammy currently tours with Michael Anthony as "The Other Half". Once in a while, Gary will join in as well. Several years back, DLR and Sammy toured together as well.

The band is probably done. I seriously doubt there will be any more VH albums featuring DLR, Sammy, or Gary as lead vocalist. The best that you can hope for is a reunion when the band gets inducted into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame. I am surprised they're not in the Hall already.

audiobliss

Well, thank you much for all the information. I went from knowing nothing about Van Halen, to knowing a lot, at least compared to how much I usually know about bands.

Thanks!

Demiurge

www.google.com

It's your friend.

audiobliss

But I can see it! All my other friends are invisible...

VR3

"Running with the devil!!"

"Ok dude, just level with me..."

"Ok man.."

"When we were in that van, did you ****?"

"No man, I thought it was you, I wasnt goign to say anything though..."

"Oh my god, we just met a van full of farting nuns..."

"Ah, thats gross!"

Van Halen is cool.

audiobliss

VR3

"How's my hair look? Finesse?"
"Bro, you're driving a truck full of **** juice. I wouldn't worry about your hair."

Check out.......

Stevie Ray Vaughn
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Jonny Lang

univera

Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote:

"How's my hair look? Finesse?"
"Bro, you're driving a truck full of **** juice. I wouldn't worry about your hair."

Check out.......

Stevie Ray Vaughn
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Jonny Lang

Sid's on to something. For my two cents, VH had their day and Eddie has been topped by way more talented players. Fun music, but nothing genius. Can't go wrong with 1984. I've seen KWS and J. Lang live. KWS is awesome. Johnny Lang put out some soft crap the last time around, so skip his last album. I wish he would go back to make record company people happy. Left to his own devices-weak! If you want some rockin stuff, Kenny Wayne Shepherd won't disappoint. He is a young, SRV protege, as is Lang. And regardless of Heiney's opinion, SRV is (was) his own man and smokes! I would say all of this even if I hadn't put a couple of Tanq and tonics in me....

VR3

"Woah! What the hell are these?"

"Those are my nuts."

"Wouldn't you like to be on the other side of this search?"

"You want me to grab your nuts?"

I actually liked both of Jonny Langs CDs pretty good, unless he released a third one that sucks. Kenny Wayne Shepherd is the man. His recording quality on his CDs absolutely SUCK though - the only downfall. Excellent music that is hard to listen to. I hate this hobby.

A few others...

The Freddy Jones Band
Joshua Kadison
Live
Shannon Curfman
Sister Hazel
Dave Matthews
Stevie Wonder
Vertical Horizon

Not all classic rock or anything, but bands Im pretty sure you would dig.

audiobliss

Thanks for the recommendations, man. Much appreciated.

noimposse

Im a youngin' and I even like Kenny Wayne Shepard. My mother actually got me into him and Ive been a fan ever since she played me "blue on black". He has better stuff than that, but its what got me hooked.

And jesus, if you havent listened to Floyd....GET ON IT! I would clear up your calender though, their library of work is pretty substantial. I could be wrong, but they have about 12 or 13 studio albums. And theyre all great.

univera

Vr3MxStyler2k3 wrote:

"Woah! What the hell are these?"

"Those are my nuts."

"Wouldn't you like to be on the other side of this search?"

"You want me to grab your nuts?"

I actually liked both of Jonny Langs CDs pretty good, unless he released a third one that sucks. Kenny Wayne Shepherd is the man. His recording quality on his CDs absolutely SUCK though - the only downfall. Excellent music that is hard to listen to. I hate this hobby.

A few others...

The Freddy Jones Band
Joshua Kadison
Live
Shannon Curfman
Sister Hazel
Dave Matthews
Stevie Wonder
Vertical Horizon

Not all classic rock or anything, but bands Im pretty sure you would dig.

Yes, there is a third, and based on your preferences, you won't like it. WEAK. And Sid, since you like SRV, check out Chris Duarte. Hard charging, Texas blues rocker. If anyone is in the style of SRV, it is this guy. Same approach to guitar, just not as good as the man. But then again, who is?

VR3

"Hey kid! Move your fat head. I can't see the fight."

"Sorry, Uncle Billy said these were good seats."

"Uncle Billy sucks!"

"Hey, Uncle Billy lost his right nut in 'nam."

"Well kick him in his left nut when you see him. These seats bite!"

"If you only have one left, is it still your left nut?"

I havnt listened much to SRV - but I like his stuff and I rummage through it every once and a while. I recomended it to Mike because its real good music and similar to what he is asking...

KWS is awesome, saw the guy and concert and he absolutely shreds the guitar - almost to much really. Every other minute he was doing solos... LOL

Anyways, I would check out Ra - alot harder than alot of the aforementioned music, but its a great rock band none the less with a very diverse sound. Possibility of you liking them is very high.