Vtrockgod wrote:There's no doubt a producer can have a huge impact on how a band sounds and is presented. But I do think the RR of 1980/1981 was a significantly better player than the one who recorded the QR records, even if Templeton had produced those records. It's an interesting "what if?" scenario but I personally think VH all around was a much better band and had better songs than QR in the '70s (which is the main reason they were signed and QR wasn't), regardless of who was producing. And while I don't think RR's work was as good as EVH's at that point (nothing to be ashamed of there because EVH set the musical world ablaze), I think he took a huge leap forward with Ozzy. Part of that was because of his ability improving, but he was also given a forum where he could stretch his musical wings. "Laughing Gas" is a good piece, but it never tore my head off like "Eruption" did (and there's plenty of Rhoad's work that has nearly moved me to tears) but, again, it's an interesting "what if?" thought.
In my opinion, the first two Ozzy records, guitarwise, are as good or better than the first two records from any guitar player bursting on the scene. To me, the difference is that if EVH had passed away after VHII, one could argue he already had hit his pinnacle (and keep in mind my favorite VH record is actually "Fair Warning". But in terms of pure impact, nothing touches VHI). I've read multiple sources say that Randy was just getting better and better and hadn't hit his full stride. In football terms, I've always thought of EVH as Jim Brown and RR as Gale Sayers: Gayle COULD have been better and broken Brown's records but his career was cut short by injuries.
I certainly respect your opinion, but we just have different viewpoints. We can agree to disagree without being disagreeable!
Vtrockgod wrote:And while I don't think RR's work was as good as EVH's at that point (nothing to be ashamed of there because EVH set the musical world ablaze), I think he took a huge leap forward with Ozzy.
I've heard from more than one of his students that the playing Randy did during lessons was beyond what he did on record or onstage with Quiet Riot. That would be a matter of opinion, I suppose.
Vtrockgod wrote:To me, the difference is that if EVH had passed away after VHII, one could argue he already had hit his pinnacle
I see your point, but if Ed had died after VHII, we wouldn't know he'd hit his pinnacle, would we?
Vtrockgod wrote:I certainly respect your opinion, but we just have different viewpoints. We can agree to disagree without being disagreeable!
Thank you. We all have opinions, and they are all valid (because they are opinions). It's nice to be able to disagree without being negative.
Vtrockgod wrote:
To me, the difference is that if EVH had passed away after VHII, one could argue he already had hit his pinnacle
I see your point, but if Ed had died after VHII, we wouldn't know he'd hit his pinnacle, would we?
I knew that didn't come out right as soon as I hit "submit". What I meant was that Eddie had already hit his peak and never topped VH I (although he had many other fantastic moments.) There is evidence to suggest that Randy was still developing and hadn't peaked.
Vtrockgod, I think Ed has grown and changed over the years. His playing from For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge on has sounded different and more mature than his earlier work. Then with A Different Kind of Truth, he tried going back to his roots with a fair amount of success.
I think people confuse a preference for Ed's work on the first Van Halen record with reaching some pinnacle and never going beyond it. I hear growth and change over the years, but, yes, I prefer the first record.
Oh, I agree that EVH matured as a songwriter and his guitar playing changed a bit as well. As I've said, "Fair Warning" is my personal favorite VH record: just a dark, Dark, DARK batch of songs (certainly a different vibe than the previous releases). I really enjoy the first six VH records and I like the tone on "For Unlawful" (Soldanos, baby!) even though nothing quite captures my attention like "the brown sound". But when I think of Ed's style, I always think of "Eruption", "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love", "I'm the One", etc. etc. all the cuts off the first record. Ed has a great body of work, but I think the majority would say "VHI" is Ed's shining moment.
