This song, I read, is a tribute to late Eddie Van Halen. It’s a moving epitaph for a musician who fretted his way to the sky, sometimes fell off a cloud and landed hard but always received fan vindication. One look at Eddie’s beatific smile on the “Jump” video and all is forgiven.
The dichotomy of genius and addiction is, of course, a path well-trod by Red Hot Chili Peppers vocalist Anthony Kiedis. It’s impossible to brush aside Kiedis’ baritone narration on the song “Eddie.” After all these years on the rock scene, he’s as much of a storyteller as Tom Waits or the Brothers Grimm.
But guitarist John Frusciante is fittingly the star of this song. His touch is light and heavy as he once again makes that Icarus climb to guitar-hero status.
My song of the day is off the RHCP’s latest album, Return of the Dream Canteen.”
–Sarah Torribio
Leave a Reply