Changed my mind about Steve Vai

J

jayK

New member
Been watching the Crossroads DVD quite a bit lately and initially I was not a big fan of Steve Vai's stuff (that was really my introduction to his stuff), but I've been watching it more and I must admit I've grown to enjoy it.

I'ts fun to listen to, and his stage "shtick" with his bandmates is amusing & fun in a goofy kind of way.

I guess shredding for shredding sake is worth something, although I'm still not sure what! The sheer speed & the sound is amusing, but I guess I expect to be a little bit more than "amused" by music. I prefer to be moved by it in some way and I guess that is really what is lacking in it for me. But it is fun, and I guess that makes it worthwhile.

John McLaughlin is also on the CD and I really could not stand his tone at all, I thought it was a muddy mess and his guitar was a real weird looking thing too. I know he is considered a wizard but just could not get into it.
 
Re: Changed my mind about Steve Vai

wrong room

check the g3 with eric johnson ..

for the love of god when pulled on a good night is a near religious experience.
seeing vai play it 3 feet in front of you IS

mind you, vai music is not for background listening. the purpose of his music IMO is his live performance. the stuff he pulls off while playing is pure genious, his control of the guitar is just crazy and the faces he pulls off are totaly hilarious.
 
Re: Changed my mind about Steve Vai

Vai can do it all: everything from "Shred: Guitar as an Athletic Event" to playing it simple and with tons of feeling. He's a real virtuoso...
 
Re: Changed my mind about Steve Vai

My favorite stuff with Vai is the first David Lee Roth album. He was forced to make his playing more listenable.
 
Re: Changed my mind about Steve Vai

No, No, No, Go buy Steve Vai Live at Astoria! It's a fairly recent DVD concert release, and it's the DEFINITIVE Steve Vai. I was mildly a fan of his before seeing that concert DVD, but after seeing it, I was totally blown away.
I think it's only $15, and it also includes behind the scenes footage, like a rehearsal and interviews with his other bandmates like Sheehan. Buy it!
 
Re: Changed my mind about Steve Vai

Vai's command of his instrument is incredibly evolved. But the thing I really like about seeing him live is the Zappa-esque arrangements and humour. He's out there holding the torch for the FZ way, plus you get to see some pretty amazing guitar playing. Fun gigs.
 
Re: Changed my mind about Steve Vai

Gearjoneser said:
No, No, No, Go buy Steve Vai Live at Astoria! It's a fairly recent DVD concert release, and it's the DEFINITIVE Steve Vai. I was mildly a fan of his before seeing that concert DVD, but after seeing it, I was totally blown away.
I think it's only $15, and it also includes behind the scenes footage, like a rehearsal and interviews with his other bandmates like Sheehan. Buy it!
Click to expand...
Hmmm sounds like it's worth checking out. Thanks
 
Re: Changed my mind about Steve Vai

Every virtuoso has their 'claim to fame performance' and Live at Astoria is Vai's.

He's probably the only guitarist that can get away with costume changes in between songs! haha
 
Re: Changed my mind about Steve Vai

When he played with Zappa I thought he was at his best, I also really like when he composses large arrangments
 
Re: Changed my mind about Steve Vai

Davey said:
wrong room

check the g3 with eric johnson ..

for the love of god when pulled on a good night is a near religious experience.
seeing vai play it 3 feet in front of you IS

mind you, vai music is not for background listening. the purpose of his music IMO is his live performance. the stuff he pulls off while playing is pure genious, his control of the guitar is just crazy and the faces he pulls off are totaly hilarious.
Click to expand...

Yeah, "for the love of god" is really amazing. Thats one of his pieces which I find impressive, as well as moving.

I've also come across a clip of "tender surrender"... which is my favourite vai clip. I think thats a wicked song and the solo is really something!

However, I went for his concert last year (with billy sheehan) in Singapore and everything he was doing was very impressive. But from a musical point of view, it wasn't very entertaining. Halfway through the show, I was extremely impressed at his skills, but found myself silently hoping for a slow (more melodic) blues piece. =)

No disrepect to Vai intended... I'm a fan too...
 
Re: Changed my mind about Steve Vai

chcjunior said:
My favorite stuff with Vai is the first David Lee Roth album. He was forced to make his playing more listenable.
Click to expand...


Great album. Dave struck gold with Steve.

Everyone should "Roll up onto the sidewalk and take a look".

Whoa, she's beautiful. :)
 
Re: Changed my mind about Steve Vai

Definitely get Live at Astoria, his single song on the Crossroads DVD is not a very good intro to Vai IMO. That's one of my least favorite songs of his.
 
Re: Changed my mind about Steve Vai

Davey said:
for the love of god when pulled on a good night is a near religious experience.
seeing vai play it 3 feet in front of you IS
Click to expand...
I agree 100%. Unfortunately I was inthe 5th row in an ampitheater, not the first in a club, like you lucky @$$... ;)
 
Re: Changed my mind about Steve Vai

I'm a fan of sloppy guitar players, what can I say. My guitar influences are all (by no coincidence) pretty sloppy technique-wise. It's more the phrasing and the emotion that's communicated that gravitates me towards these guys (Page, Hendrix, Slash, J Mascis, etc.)

But Vai.... HOLY SH!T!!! He NEVER misses a note... NEVER!!! It's truly amazing. I've seen him live twice and I just stare with my jaw half open at the speed and precision he plays with.

He is the absolute master of his craft.
 
Re: Changed my mind about Steve Vai

Gearjoneser said:
I think it's only $15, and it also includes behind the scenes footage, like a rehearsal and interviews with his other bandmates like Sheehan. Buy it!
Click to expand...

isn't tony mcalpine playing with vai now? he's got quite an appreciation going :beerchug:
 
Re: Changed my mind about Steve Vai

Been a fan of Vai's since the mid 80's when a local radio station used Attitute Song a lot for their own ads... The Roth stuff i like a lot.. but his solo stuff is amazing... Some of it is too out there but it is always interesting... saw Steve for the first time last spring... great show... bad seats but great show!

WhoFan
 
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