Strummin with the Devil

Sign #482 that we are living in the Matrix: Former Van Halen front man David Lee Roth goes folk with an album of bluegrass remakes. No, I’m not kidding…

I came across this crazy story the other day and I just had to pass it on to Folk101 readers. I was diligently researching the latest in folk music when I... okay, I was actually watching The View at the time. I swear it was only because I was home by myself, taking an early lunch, and we don't have cable.

Anyway, after talking about why the studio's toilets didn't work that day and not talking about how Star Jones now looks like one of those inflatable alien dolls, they introduced the day's musical guest.

It was none other than former Van Halen front man (and the band's only true singer in my opinion), David Lee Roth. No more package-revealing spandex pants and white gloves for Dave, no sir. Instead, his hair was neatly coiffed (the plugs seem to have taken) and his outfit came straight off a mannequin at the GAP. He was very excited but polite, and kept saying "That's an excellent question" after everything the gaggle of hosts said.

Some things never change, though, and he is still squeezing blood from the turnip of those hazy, crazy days with Van Halen. On sale now is his latest album, entitled Strummin' with the Devil: The Southern Side of Van Halen which is a full-length, 15-song "tribute" to VH that reinterprets the band's biggest hits as (I can't believe I am about to write this) bluegrass songs!

The album includes reworked versions of "Jump," "Jamie's Cryin'" and "Hot for Teacher" amongst others. Check out some clips to see what your life has been missing.

The scariest part is that the album is not too bad. Dave has assembled a more-than-passable ensemble of bluegrass veterans to keep him approximately in the proper time and key during the acid flashbacks.

No tour announcement as of yet. But Folk101 will keep you posted. And don't be surprised if, when the original line-up of Van Halen finally does the reunion tour, Eddie picks up the mandolin for a song or two.

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