Van Halen GUITAR-ONLY tracks!

December 23, 2009 56 Comments

Here’s something that no one has ever heard before – GUITAR-ONLY versions of some classic Van Halen tracks, courtesy of Youtube user MasterTracks18. Featured here are “I’m The One,” “Panama,” “Unchained,” & “Little Guitars.” More to come. Enjoy!

Filed Under: Eddie Van Halen, Van Halen

drummerboy319

That’s pretty cool. Nice way to learn those tracks. Makes this non guitar plying fool want to learn how to play!
bsc

Anyone catch that octave pedal on unchained!? Never noticed that in there, very cool sound though.. not to mention he was using barely any gain compared to the I’m the one clip. Makes you realize how great a player Eddie really is to just pull that sound out of the guitar.. I guess it really is All in the hands.
ikethebird

That octave pedal is cool and I always wondered what that sound was.These tracks make it possible.
Ryan

Oh my god, I just listened to I’m The One and all I have to say is Eddie Van Halen was such a great guitar player. Every once in awhile I forget how great he was with all the stupid endorsements and ads he does. But just the way he articulates the notes in I’m the One sends shivers down my spine. He has such great feel. He without doubt was up there with Jimi, in my opinion. Also, I love how you can hear him turn up the volume during the vocal breakdown in I’m the One, when he’s getting ready to come back in with the guitar again. Thank you for those clips. That was sweet.
Darren from Staten Island

I have had a cd recording (bootleg) of most of these tracks and “Hot for teacher”,”Jamies cryin’” and “Eruption” and I belive “Fools”. I think I bought it in the Village in Manhatten around 1991 or 92. Great stuff. I only wish I could hear Alexs’ drums seperated.
FAMAC

Its interesting to listen to the changes in tone through the different recordings. The tone on Panama in particular seems weak compared to the others, no doubt due to the 5150 studio not having the kinks worked out.

Its also interesting to hear the spliced together parts, most noticable on Unchained and Little Guitars. Little Guitars sounds like every verse and chorus is punched together.

These are clearly guitar tracks — not isolated guitar from stero CDs if anyone is going to suggest that. You could never pull that volume knob noise out from the solo vocal parts on I’m The One using a stereo master.

So given that, these don’t seem long for Youtube. Enjot them while you can!
kenny

he’s ok….
SCAR

Now that was a cool fuckin holiday treat to listen too while continuing on with my holiday buzz!!!
Chris Van Harley

Still not the 83 Oakland show but pretty damn cool none the less.
freddiegirl

Wow…I’m the One is just stunning work. Little Guitars is really beautiful on it’s own with just the guitar work. That was always my favorite song off of Diver Down. Very cool to hear these…
DLR

Whoever the singer happens to be, Ed’s feel seems to always come through. Interesting that these didn’t surface years ago. What a holiday treat indeed.
Hobbled

@FAMAC

These tracks were pulled from the recently released videogame – I don’t think it’s going to be a big surprise to anyone that they’re out there now. I’d expect to hear the rest of them in due course – looking forward to hearing Hang ‘em High personally.
http://craigparkeradams.com CPA

Sooooooooo AWESOME!!!!!! What a treat! Thank you Thank you Thank you!
We all just got better….
Kimberly

Eddie rules:)
Wychwood

OH MAN! these sound so sweet. What strikes me is how the guitar sound so clean yet still distorted. The brown sound rocks! Would love to hear Girl Gone Bad and Drop Dead Legs guitar tracks only.
http://twitter.com/johnnybeane johnny beane

These are from the new guitar hero video game and sound like they have added some effects to the guitars tone.

Too bad we didn’t have tracks like these 20 years ago.
Still pretty cool.
Skibble5150 (Montreal)

Peoples’ comments are so shit. HOBBLED, KENNY, CHRIS VAN HARLEY…

Fuck all of you! Merry Xmas!

This IS actual VH News!!! Stipped tracks from the original tapes.
CSM

That is some great guitar playing. These songs show why Eddie is arguably the greatest guitar player and songwriter ever. And listening to these guitar tracks, I gained an all new appreciation for how the other members of the band were key to Van Halen’s fantastic sound. I only wish they could do another album with Roth and Anthony that has that classic Van Halen sound.
Panama Red

This just reminded me just how ridiculously talented EVH is. Sometimes I kind of forget just how Awesome he is and kind of take Van Halen for granted. Can you imagine how much crappier all of our lives would be if Eddie was never born into this world?
It really was cool listening to just the guitar tracks. I’m just as much in awe of him now as I was the first time I heard these songs.
I remember the first VH concert I went too. I think my jaw literally just dropped to the ground and stayed there the whole time until it was over. Eddie will always be “THE Guitar Hero!”
Panama Red

I just realized that I just used the word “just” like ten times. There I go again……just. What a weird word. Am I high?
Brent

These tracks were like a early Christmas present…being a fan of Eddies and after all the years of learning his guitar parts, these songs are huge for the person wanting to learn note for note. I would have killed for Unchained years ago….after all the times I have heard that song, I feel like I finally truly heard it…there are the parts I just never felt like I really heard and this version was exactly what I have wanted. I have to be honest…I never have got one of the “Guitar hero” type games as to me….if I want to work on eddie stuff…I will grab for my Wolfgang and play the real thing….:-)..however as I am seeing and now hearing more from this release…I have a feeling I might be buying this game…by the way suprised there was no package for the release with say a 5150 Kramer or classic “Frankenstein”….that would have been awesome…can’t wait to hear the other tracks
Hey Man, That Suit Is You!

This rocks! All of the haters can kiss my ass. If you don’t like what VH is doing… walk away.
topjimmy77

Great Xmas present VHND, thanks, have a good one people!!
HideYourSheep

Isolating Little Guitars was epic. Speaking of Diver Down, I’d love to hear Full Bug isolated. That’s my favorite VH song.
RickieVanWhalen

What a great VHND post!

I’m The One – a guitar players delight! His precision is acutally hidden within the total song. Listen to how accurate the guy is. EVH is the King.
Hobbled

@Skibble5150 (Montreal)

I really shouldn’t respond to a troll like this, but maybe my earlier comment was short.

When they make Rockband or Guitar Hero games with an artist, the game developers need to have access to the original recording masters of the songs included. They need to have each instrument isolated for the game mechanics to work properly – this is how when playing the game they can manipulate the performance of any one element of the song.

Some enterprising person bought the game, poked around and extracted the guitar track files and put them up on YouTube. This should come as no surprise to anyone in the Van Halen organization as they are well aware what they gave Activision access to. Then again, a number of bands have been upset with the way their image or material has been presented in these games… whatever, they shouldn’t be surprised it’s out there now.

I didn’t say that these are not awesome (they are) or that Eddie rulezs!!1! (he does), but I did point out what track from the playset I wanted to hear most, so chill out and stop beating your wife.

Merry Xmas,

Hobbled
lucky

I bow down to the master of rock guitar. As much as I like other guitarists, like satriani and vai among others, NOBODY has ever made the guitar sound like that. Just keep playing Ed.
http://none Dirty Duck

To hear these tracks truly makes you remember a time when the electric guitar ruled this land.

Not hip hop coming out of rattling civic trunks.

I will always say that Eddie Van Halen is my favourite guitar player hands down. Dare I say that I think he’s better than hendrix? Dare me! Dare me! Dare me!
Not only did he change the sound of guitar forever, but he’s made an impact on every single one of our lives here thats for damn sure. It’s truly amazing how fresh and crisp those guitar licks still sound! “I’m the one” is bad ass man…..

It’s a shame what rock has become. Disposable rock stars at your convienience….anytime…anywhere!
Shayne

Real music by real talent! It shines through undeniably on these tracks.

Was hoping for a real xmas present from VH in the way of a big announcement but hey this is cool!!!

Hopefully 2010 will bring us fans something to really get excited about!!

Merry xmas all!!! Ya you too scar;)
Diamond Dave

I’d like to get these mp3s. Anyway I can do that? Thank you.

Dave
JCN

This is freaking cool! It’s almost like getting new music.

You get a new fresh perspective on it.

Inspiring.
freddiegirl

I’ll say it. He’s better than Hendrix. IMO. There, I said it. No one can deny the impact that Eddie has had on rock music and on the eletric guitar itself. He changed how the electric guitar sounded and rerevolutionized guitar technology. That’s massive. Don’t get me wrong, I love Hendrix but he could be sloppy. My parents lived in Haight Ashbury in the late 60s before they started a family and saw a lot of the ‘classic’ 60s and early 70s acts including Hendrix and all three times they saw him they said he was sloppy.

D. Duck is right; these tracks still feel fresh especially ‘I’m the One’. Wonderful, wonderful stunning guitar work.
Jim

Eddie rips like no other and this is a great reminder. This was awesome, thank you!
freddiegirl

Oh, BTW, I know I’m new here but Merry Christmas to everyone!
Madison

Happy Holidays to Van Halen, and all their rockin’ fans!!!!!!!! Hope the new year brings lots of AWESOME van halen news!!!!!!!! =D
little big toe

truly “the king of ten fingers and six strings”
Tommy Boy

I won’t completely understand this stuff of “who’s best”…driven by our desire to better our competition. Hendrix was born and existed and rocked his shit well before Eddie…he even credits Jimi for his approach to guitar playing. None of the other dudes: Lynch, Demartini, Vai?, Satriani? among the countless would be here without Ed’s influence, or Jimi’s for that matter. Page, Clapton, Beck, Holdsworth and Iommi shaped Eddie into what he was and is. Let’s all hope for a little bit more this New Year…all the best to you and yours folks!
Ryan

Tommy Boy…

That is a really strong point. Eddie and Jimi are two completely different guitarists. Jimi has more edge and attitude, and it’s almost like his playing is equivalent to giving the middle finger (listen to Machine Gun to know what I mean). Eddie has tons of attitude too, but he definitely has more control over the guitar, in terms of technique. Each one has their own strengths and weaknesses. Overall, I think Jimi has better records as a whole (like you can listen to them all the way through). But Eddie’s playing has so much energy…I can go on forever! LOL The bottom line is guitar players are like ice cream flavors. You might be in the mood for vanilla tonight, but tomorrow you might go for rocky road. Anyways, I wish everybody here a happy holiday, and keep rock n’ roll alive. I heard Nickelback on the radio tonight coming home from class, and I almost puked. LOL

Ryan
phillster

A BUDDHIST RIFF FOR MY INNER EAR…
FUCKIN WISE MAGIC!!!!!!
Panama Red

Jimi Hendrix could be sloppy. But so can Eddie and any other guitarist in the world that gets a little too wasted before they walk out on stage. It doesn’t really take away from what they’ve accomplished or all of the people they have inspired and influenced.
It’s just part of rock and roll. It happens.
I hope the new year brings new music from Eddie and Alex. (keeping my fingers crossed for a new VH album with DLR)
As well as a new Chickenfoot C.D.
I hope Eddie, Alex, Mikey, Sammy, and Dave and all of the VH fans have a healthy and happy new year! Cheers!
phillster

I CANNOT Wait for an ablum(CD,MP3,Whatever) from the=VH= boys&DIAMONDDAVE!!!!IMO,the 2 songs from the 1st best-of w/DAVE were YEARS AHEAD of thier time!!!(true sign of Brilliance-no matter how hard it was to pull-off)
=VH=`s worst song w/DIAMONDDAVE is&would be better than Anything being heard today.I get Butterflies just thinkin`bout it,Y`know?
Like a 4-6songLP or even just a “single”
Don`t care how they start as long as they start(like my fav old truck)Mistletoe smoked;)
Peace
http://vhnd Jimmy

I agree with Tommy Boy and to add. There really isn’t a best. Everyone is different. I have respect for each of the men mentioned in Tommy Boy’s statement. I studied Jimi Hendrix’s music. Jimi Hendrix is bad-ass. Pretty difficult to sing and play lead the way he does. Eddie is way different though. I love his writing. I love his live improvisations as well as Hendrix’s. I have heard them both roar through tunes live, I have also heard them both sloppy. I wonder what Jimi would have thought of Edward? Probably would have wanted to jam with him. I’m sure Beck, Page, Clapton, May, Trower, Blackmore, Iommi, Perry, Young bros, Gilmour, Miller, Cropper, Roth, Gibbons, Guy, King, Berry,etc. The list goes on. I’m sure when these guys heard Van Halen, they were curious. I’m not saying they were all instant fans, but they were curious. Eddie is bad ass. Merry Christmas to VAN HALEN…Merry Christmas to all.
DiamondDean

the holy grail my friends !!!!!!! amazing , what a great treat 4 christmas . All we need now is VH to release some old live dvds with new interviews , a rare boxset/ dvd , to release a new cd and to tour the world , if VH can do that all will be forgiven , god bless
http://twitter.com/johnnybeane johnny beane

Merry Christmas everyone!
FAMAC

One of the ways Van Halen was more influential than ANY guitarist before him was how no one ever explains his style as being the logical extention of players who came before.

With guitarists like Clapton and Hendrix we always hear how they built on the “blues tradition” — something you never hear said about Van Halen.

Van Halen took the guitar as an instrument and scrambled it into an entirely new vocabularly – and one that’s also more difficult to master than any player’s before him. It’s that disconnect from tradition that makes Eddie stand out among the guitarists.
Rick Pride

Eddie is King!!!!! Merry Christmas to all the great fans and all of you at VHND!!!!
Kimberly

Merry Christmas my fellow Van Halen lovers!! You guys are the best!!!
Bluesbro

Phillster, I don’t think mistletoe is all you smoke. That was a tough ramble to follow. Mix in a little English 101
lucky

Who’s best, who cares? It’s the music and the performance you emotionally connect too. Ed is an originator, like Hendrix, Clapton and Page. I love a million different guitar players, but Ed has something else many of those don’t have, magic. You know it as soon as he starts playing.

Where are all the new guitar players? Some good ones out there, but where’s the magic? Same with acoustic. Michael Hedges is gone, who else is out there that is an originator, blowing the doors off of mediocrity?
David Lee Both

Friggin Awesome!!