Umm, I actually preferred the second clip, felt Ed’s solo sat more with the song. The problem for me with the first clip is it’s too much like llcoolj has gone to Ed and asked for another ‘Beat it’ and Ed’s obliged, even starts with the wammy bar down? plus I don’t think the random lead noodling Ed does throughout the song really fits with the style of the song, just makes it too busy? …just my opinion
Watch a clip from the primetime special film “MAYWEATHER” before it premieres on Sat. April 27 at 8p on CBS. LL Cool J narrates the film and this clip features the debut of the music icon’s new song with guitar God Eddie Van Halen “We’re The Greatest” from his upcoming album AUTHENTIC.
As “Whaddup” and heavy tracks such as “We’re The Greatest,” featuring Eddie Van Halen and Barker, rap and rock have a natural alliance here (although on the latter, his line about wondering why the Pope resigned is a bit of clunker in an otherwise compelling track).
He also embraces alternative music on “Not Leaving Here Tonight” featuring Fitz & the Tantrums. Fitz’s pop smoothness plays nicely against LL Cool J’s gruff vocals and Eddie Van Halen’s tasty guitar solo (even if you’ll swear it’s Enrique Iglesias singing here).
Inevitably, that makes the disc more a series of gambles than bull’s-eyes. Some of those risks roll snake-eyes — especially the two faux-metal tracks with the distractingly showy Mr. Van Halen. A ballad, with Brad Paisley, is icky, if nowhere near as ham-fisted as the pair’s well-meaning bellyflop, “Accidental Racist.”
I don’t know, but I think LL has kind of lost it? He sounds like a “junior rapper” here with weak rhymes and unenthusiastic delivery. He used to be really good, but for me, with these songs, he went from a top 5 guy to a “wanna be.”
Vince G.: From Kody Van Halen’s FB page: “Tune in to Piers Morgan Live on CNN as he interviews Eddie Van Halen and LL Cool J, Friday, May 3rd at 6pm, 9pm and 12am PST.”
I find it really funny that this guy doesn’t do press for his own band, but shows up on national TV to talk about a guest spot on someone else’s album.
