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Michael Anthony and Van Halen

#123
prd004 said:
OK, I'll bite even though this is a no-win scenario for me. There is no possible way that you will listen to my playing and give it fair judgement, given the current status of our back and fourth banter. Plus, if you really like this guys playing, as it is obvious that you do, I don't particularly agree with your judgement of talent, but........... I am a big enough person, and confident enough in myself to throw it out there anyway! Even if all the Michal Anthony lovers are going to roast me!

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And for the record I never said that I done anything of merit, I just stated that you had no Idea who I was and weather or not I had!
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You said that you could play circles around the bass player of Van Halen and that is your proof? Sorry dude... totally forgettable music. Not even bad, it's the kind of music that disappears as it leaves the speakers.
 
#124
Count me in the pro Michael Anthony camp.. The man is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for a reason and all due respect, that is a much greater feat than most of us (his detractors included) will achieve in this business. He did what the songs called for with creativity and passion and that counts for much more than wanking and searching for attention.. That all said, his vocals and bass playing was EXACTLY what VH needed and the man delivered day after day for decades..

Your opinions might vary but blatant disrespect only highlight insecurity and lack of coooooooooth..
 
#125
Let's face it — any of these guys belonging to bands who move large amounts of vinyl are going to be as good or better as musicians than 90% of the folks on TalkBass. Myself included, for sure. You may not like Michael Anthony's style of play and consider his bass playing limited, but think about it: Whether for reasons of chemistry, luck, his ability to sing and play, or be "in the pocket," or give the guys good BJs when they're hard up — the fact is he played with Van Halen for many years and deserved to be there.
 
#126
prd004 said:
OK, I'll bite even though this is a no-win scenario for me. There is no possible way that you will listen to my playing and give it fair judgement, given the current status of our back and fourth banter. Plus, if you really like this guys playing, as it is obvious that you do, I don't particularly agree with your judgement of talent, but........... I am a big enough person, and confident enough in myself to throw it out there anyway! Even if all the Michal Anthony lovers are going to roast me!

Link Removed

And for the record I never said that I done anything of merit, I just stated that you had no Idea who I was and weather or not I had!
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I used to have a low regard for MA back in the day, but it was largely due to his jack daniels bass and his silly "bass solo". Just a bunch of noise and foolishness.

Then I wised up some and grew up some. It's all been said here....he holds down the bottom, understands his role, is a great entertainer, excellent background vocals, etc. He's a pro. Not a virtuoso, but a solid musician and a seasoned pro.

Of course, he was also the lone class act in a band full of attention-starved, immature, classless, egocentric d***heads. You might have made them four for four.

Joel
 
#127
fourstringburn said:
Well the truth comes out, you are not a musician just a player. Mike can read and you can"t. So you are musically illiterate and just someone who memorized fretboard patterns with a little rhythm.
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I'm not defending ole boy here, but, when did it become a law that you have to be able to proficiently read music to be considered a musician?

I know quite a few people that can't read a lick of music but can proficiently play several different instruments. I'd have to say, they are in fact musicians. I also know several people that can read music, yet cannot play very proficiently.

The mentality of "you have to be able to read in order to be a musician" is complete talkbass bullcrap that I've seen used by some that can read, to downplay other peoples abilities and make themselves feel more like a real musician. For full disclosure, I can read and I will admit that it does give you a better understand of music.

I just listen to 3 songs of your music. While it is good, it isn't anything anyone else couldn't play. I hear no virtuosity in your playing, just playing a groove.
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Again, not trying to defend him, but Since when do you have to be a virtuoso to be considered a good player? Oh that's right, you don't have to be one. But hey, what the hell do I know right?
 
#129
selowitch said:
Let's face it — any of these guys belonging to bands who move large amounts of vinyl are going to be as good or better as musicians than 90% of the folks on TalkBass. Myself included, for sure. You may not like Michael Anthony's style of play and consider his bass playing limited, but think about it: Whether for reasons of chemistry, luck, his ability to sing and play, or be "in the pocket," or give the guys good BJs when they're hard up — the fact is he played with Van Halen for many years and deserved to be there.
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i hear lots of bass players on records that i think i'm better than they are. that doesn't mean they suck...that just means i'm pretty good ;) but a lot of them are still very good.
 
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#130
JimmyM said:
hey guys, i can settle this...try to play the song "poundcake" and be right on the money with it. then try to sing backgrounds that high while playing it. michael anthony isn't going to win any bass player of the year awards, but that **** isn't as easy to do as you think it is. i've seen him live a couple times with van halen. his backgrounds are right on the money, and he plays very well and holds the band together even when alex is rushing and miscounting. you won't see fiery displays of bass heroism but who gives a crap? it's van halen. i think this is a silly discussion. michael anthony is a great rock bass player. end of discussion.
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+1, to all of this, and especially to the "end of discussion" aspect. :p

I personally like his vox and the way he helps hold it together on this one.
 
#131
I love "man on a mission"! Mike & Al are super-tight. I also love Mike's finger-numbing 16th notes on "Poundcake". "Beautiful girls" might be fave though. Dig the tasty double-stops and the cool walk-ups at the end...not to mention the feel of the groove. Mike has it going on!
 
#133
I merely started this thread to discuss how shoddy MA was treated by the VH brothers. After all those years together, they should be ashamed of themselves.

I did not intend on the thread to bash MA or have to defend him. I have a sinking feeling MA doesn't lose alot of sleep over people who may or may not be a better player than him.

For him not to publicly crush EVH for his crap speaks volumes about the man's integrity. IMO.
 
#134
Medford Bassman said:
I merely started this thread to discuss how shoddy MA was treated by the VH brothers. After all those years together, they should be ashamed of themselves.

I did not intend on the thread to bash MA or have to defend him. I have a sinking feeling MA doesn't lose alot of sleep over people who may or may not be a better player than him.

For him not to publicly crush EVH for his crap speaks volumes about the man's integrity. IMO.
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True. I think the Van Halen brothers put too much value in the fact the Wolfgang is their son/nephew and therefore bears the last name Van Halen. There's little doubt that MA is Wolfie's musical superior. But we see stuff like this happen once a band is past its peak; the do self-indulgent things like this in a effort to cling to their glory.
 
#135
I apologize for offending any Michael Anthony Fans (except fourstringburner)

The only reason I even read the thread in the first place, since I'm not a fan, was because I thought he got royaly screwed by being left out of the reunion, and yes he handled it with class. That and it was a slow day for inspiring threads!

However this is a discussion forum and I'm allowed to have an opinion, I'm allowed to voice it, and I'm certainly allowed to like or not like any artist I choose. Unfortunately one member of this forum decided that because I didn't like MA that is was his right to defend him by turning it into personal insult festival in my direction. Also unfortunately I am one of those who never backs down. I should have been more mature and just turned off my computer but my fighting spirit got the best of me!

Also, big thanks to the one poster who went out on a limb and said that he liked my playing!
 
#136
selowitch said:
I think the Van Halen brothers put too much value in the fact the Wolfgang is their son/nephew and therefore bears the last name Van Halen.
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FWIW, the way Sammy puts it in the RS article, it makes it seem like Al is more or less being overruled by Eddie. He makes it sound like Al and Mike still talk occasionally and Al along with Sammy & the manager were all three contributers to MA on the 2004 reunion tour when Eddie paid him crap and made him sign away all his royalties.

Al just reluctantly goes along with his brother.
Eddie is the real dink here.
 
#138
dls59 said:
PRD004: I listened to your cuts. I think you're a good player, and did what was necessary to support the tunes. It's nice work.

And for the guy who inferred that you cannot be a musician if you don't read, I'll give you one word: McCartney.
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on that subject, all i'll say is mccartney is what's known as a fluke. the vast majority of folks who can't read never learn how to do anything with music. the ones you see who can are flukes compared to the sheer numbers of those who get frustrated and stick their instruments under the bed forever.
 
#140
Not a fan, never saw them live, never sat through an album. But I always thought it was cool that Anthony kept doing all those things with Hagar while he was still in the band and Hagar was persona non grata. No doubt that if his refusal to sever his ties to Sammy made him squarely one of "them" instead of "us", but if anyone was giving him an ultimatum during that time he seemed to have been ignoring it. I was surprised they didn't fire him when they first canned Hagar, but he was in the band for a long time after. I don't think he thought of it as walking a tightrope, just being true to his nature, not agreeing that someone is heinous when he didn't think he was heinous, which I can appreciate.
 

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