Dweezil, I know you mentioned that we are coming to the "end" of this great series of podcasts in the one you did recently. (I second the "Push Comes To Shove" deep-dive, BTW) But I was wondering if you thought about Ben Eller as a guest? His deep-dive into the Hang Em High riff and what makes it, in his words, impossible is a great watch. And while I know you have had some HUGE guitarists on as guests, I think Ben's love/respect of EVH would make him a great guest. Anyway, love this series, and I don't care HOW LONG it takes for these to come out, each one is golden.
Ben is great…though I have to take exception with his “Hang ‘Em High” tutorial. He makes it way harder than it has to be and he makes something that is actually easy into something confusing.
The pattern that Ed uses is as follows. There is no video evidence of him playing it in any way other than this. My friend Doug Steele also made a video that gave that “absurd stretch” placing the riff on adjacent strings as an option…and while he said that was an OPTION it must be made clear that Eddie never played it that way.
This should make that riff crystal clear. Be sure to use the left hand fingers that I have notated here because these are the fingers that Ed used in all available footage and that goes for the simple picking directions that I have included.
Allen I love all your posts/content, especially the fact that you pore over live vids as well to document the actual way Ed played. I appreciate that the actual riff is "easier" than what Ben was trying to do, what I thought was so cool about the vid was the last part where he realized the riff is swung instead of straight 16th notes. It explains the "galloping" of the low notes that I always heard in the isolated riff parts of the song.
Gotcha…yes, but I will say that nearly everything Eddie played was in his own timing. So one could make a very good case that everything he did was in swing time!
Hi everyone! Most or many of you may already be aware of this, but I thought I’d post it here for those that might have missed it…
My pal Greg Renoff did a historic interview with Dweezil’s pal and quantum level engineer Donn Landee a while back for ‘Tape-Op Magazine’. I can’t stress enough how important this is. To have Donn interviewed to this depth was a dream I thought unattainable, but Greg made it happen finally! His superb research, dedication and tireless interest in Van Halen and the music that Ted and Donn were an integral part of over their careers is served so well in this interview and it is a must read. Part One came out a while back and Part Two just dropped yesterday.
Hi Dweezil, thank you for your incredible dedication to this podcast! It’s been a real pleasure to listen and learn!
I was wondering if you’d be willing to do a “Challenger Deep” dive into the structure and nuances of arguably one VH’s deepest tracks: ‘Push Comes to Shove’.You’ve mentioned that it contains your favorite EVH guitar solo…and I assume it’s one of your overall favorite VH songs (certainly your fave VH album!)
I can’t think of anyone who does a better job than you of articulating not only technical nuances of a piece of music but also emotional nuances, aka the “Fuck Yeah” factor!
It’d be great to hear you pick apart everything from the background (disco-reggae vibe), the intro, overall song structure, the solo, the outro, and any known info on how it was recorded.Perhaps do this as part of another listening party?
A couple of the many things I love about the song are: 1) Dave’s scream during the outro which seems to slowly take up all the oxygen in the room (in the best possible way).2) Mike’s bass fill right before Dave’s scream. It sets up the scream perfectly.And it reminds me of his bass fill in ‘Romeo Delight’ right after Ed’s tapped harmonic intro.
Anyway, keep up the fantastic work and thanks again!
David, Alex, and Michael should play a couple of tunes with Jacob. Do this on this SAMMY 2024 tour. When they come to California.
It would be cool to have Wolf play as well with two guitars and singing backups so Dave doesn't have to stretch. You would have 4 singers. Dave, Jacob, Michael, and Wolf.
The other guitar players that I see doing this could be Dweezil, Nuno, Gilbert. Id have each do a song with the above band.
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I always wished final episode would be wolfgang.
Dweezil, I know you mentioned that we are coming to the "end" of this great series of podcasts in the one you did recently. (I second the "Push Comes To Shove" deep-dive, BTW) But I was wondering if you thought about Ben Eller as a guest? His deep-dive into the Hang Em High riff and what makes it, in his words, impossible is a great watch. And while I know you have had some HUGE guitarists on as guests, I think Ben's love/respect of EVH would make him a great guest. Anyway, love this series, and I don't care HOW LONG it takes for these to come out, each one is golden.
Ben is great…though I have to take exception with his “Hang ‘Em High” tutorial. He makes it way harder than it has to be and he makes something that is actually easy into something confusing.
The pattern that Ed uses is as follows. There is no video evidence of him playing it in any way other than this. My friend Doug Steele also made a video that gave that “absurd stretch” placing the riff on adjacent strings as an option…and while he said that was an OPTION it must be made clear that Eddie never played it that way.
This should make that riff crystal clear. Be sure to use the left hand fingers that I have notated here because these are the fingers that Ed used in all available footage and that goes for the simple picking directions that I have included.
Allen I love all your posts/content, especially the fact that you pore over live vids as well to document the actual way Ed played. I appreciate that the actual riff is "easier" than what Ben was trying to do, what I thought was so cool about the vid was the last part where he realized the riff is swung instead of straight 16th notes. It explains the "galloping" of the low notes that I always heard in the isolated riff parts of the song.
Gotcha…yes, but I will say that nearly everything Eddie played was in his own timing. So one could make a very good case that everything he did was in swing time!
Hi everyone! Most or many of you may already be aware of this, but I thought I’d post it here for those that might have missed it…
My pal Greg Renoff did a historic interview with Dweezil’s pal and quantum level engineer Donn Landee a while back for ‘Tape-Op Magazine’. I can’t stress enough how important this is. To have Donn interviewed to this depth was a dream I thought unattainable, but Greg made it happen finally! His superb research, dedication and tireless interest in Van Halen and the music that Ted and Donn were an integral part of over their careers is served so well in this interview and it is a must read. Part One came out a while back and Part Two just dropped yesterday.
Behold!
https://tapeop.com/interviews/157/donn-landee/
https://tapeop.com/interviews/159/donn-landee/
Thanks so much for posting these links to the Donn Landee interviews, have always wanted to get some his perspective on "how it all went down."
Hi Dweezil, thank you for your incredible dedication to this podcast! It’s been a real pleasure to listen and learn!
I was wondering if you’d be willing to do a “Challenger Deep” dive into the structure and nuances of arguably one VH’s deepest tracks: ‘Push Comes to Shove’. You’ve mentioned that it contains your favorite EVH guitar solo…and I assume it’s one of your overall favorite VH songs (certainly your fave VH album!)
I can’t think of anyone who does a better job than you of articulating not only technical nuances of a piece of music but also emotional nuances, aka the “Fuck Yeah” factor!
It’d be great to hear you pick apart everything from the background (disco-reggae vibe), the intro, overall song structure, the solo, the outro, and any known info on how it was recorded. Perhaps do this as part of another listening party?
A couple of the many things I love about the song are: 1) Dave’s scream during the outro which seems to slowly take up all the oxygen in the room (in the best possible way). 2) Mike’s bass fill right before Dave’s scream. It sets up the scream perfectly. And it reminds me of his bass fill in ‘Romeo Delight’ right after Ed’s tapped harmonic intro.
Anyway, keep up the fantastic work and thanks again!
Paul
Hi Paul,
Glad you're enjoying the podcast. I like your idea. I just need 17 more hours in each day in order to get stuff done. I'll keep it in mind! Best, DZ
Great Episode!
Here is a fantasy.
David, Alex, and Michael should play a couple of tunes with Jacob. Do this on this SAMMY 2024 tour. When they come to California.
It would be cool to have Wolf play as well with two guitars and singing backups so Dave doesn't have to stretch. You would have 4 singers. Dave, Jacob, Michael, and Wolf.
The other guitar players that I see doing this could be Dweezil, Nuno, Gilbert. Id have each do a song with the above band.
Thoughts?
Regards,
Jimmy