VIDEOS OF THE WEEK: STEVE VAI-Special

[Niels (Mod)]

VOTW - STEVE VAI Special

I'm not really a fan of Steve Vai, but he is undoubtfully an awesome guitarist, and appear on quite a few of the albums, I've bought through time. Personally I didn't really notice him until "Eat 'em And Smile", even though I had heard the Alcatraz-album released the year before (in 1985) and loved the song "God blessed Video", and around the same time, I saw him in a B-movie. But even then he sounded like a Eddie VH-clone to me. Later on, I could hear the difference, but it didn't exactly help him being called a Eddie-clone, when he took the job as the new guitarist for Roth, did it?

FRANK ZAPPA - STEVIE'S SPANKING

Vai did overdubs on many of the guitar parts for Zappa's album You Are What You Is. He became a full-fledged band member, going on his first tour with Zappa in the autumn of 1980. Zappa referred to Vai as his "little Italian virtuoso" and listed him in the liner notes as performing "stunt guitar" or "impossible guitar parts".

ALCATRAZ - GOD BLESSED VIDEO

In 1985 he replaced Yngwie Malmsteen as lead guitarist in Graham Bonnet's Alcatrazz, with whom he recorded the album Disturbing the Peace. I noticed the great guitar-playing, but didn't really think much about, who the guitar-player was.

DAVID LEE ROTH - GOING CRAZY

Also, in 1985, Vai became the object of widespread public fascination after joining—at the urging of his friend, bassist and future bandmate, Billy Sheehan – David Lee Roth's post-Van Halen supergroup. The David Lee Roth band, which later became known as the Eat 'em and Smile Band (1985–1989). Rolling Stone Magazine compared Vai's guitar-playing favorably to that of Roth's legendary former partner Eddie Van Halen, stating that Vai "takes his cues from Eddie's loop-the-loop style, but, importantly, he adds some wild dips of his own.

WHITESNAKE - BAD BOYS

In 1989, Vai joined Whitesnake, replacing Vivian Campbell. When Adrian Vandenberg injured his wrist shortly before recording was to begin for the album Slip of the Tongue, Vai played all the guitar parts.In 1994, Vai began writing and recording with Ozzy Osbourne. One track from these sessions, "My Little Man", was released on the Ozzmosis album. (and on bass was one Bob Daisly).

STEVE VAI (feat. DEVIN TOWNSEND) - IN MY DREAMS WITH YOU

Sex & Religion is a studio album by guitarist Steve Vai, presented under the name of simply "Vai". The album features Strapping Young Lad and The Devin Townsend Band singer and guitarist Devin Townsend on vocals before he started either one of his own bands. Vai co-wrote "In My Dreams with You" with Desmond Child and Roger Greenawalt.

And finally the guitar-duel in the movie "Crossroads" with Ralph Maccionne (The Karate-kid). Anybody else saw that movie back then?

[Scott]

Interesting post...  you are finding nice bands/artists that surprise me week after week.   I like solo Steve Vai more than his output in a band, surprised none of that made the cut ...

FRANK ZAPPA ...  Interesting tune, sound quality of the video is poor.  Its cool to see Zappa play and his band is definitely got the chops, but the song is ore playful than serious - not such a bad thing sometimes - but in this case its a bit cheesy lyrically, but still its not quite as ...

ALCATRAZ ... cheesy as this one!!  Holy moly, that video was Baaaaaaddd... All the way through.  I will say this, Bonnet should've stuck with Schenker who would have at least kept him on a heavier path.  His voice sounds great though!

DLR ...  The song is great, the video is also over the top cheesy.  I remember seeing this play all the time on Mtv, back when they actually played music, and I remember being annoyed with it then.  Maybe it was also around that time that hair bands started getting tired and cliché.  Not saying this was the cause of it, but it seems to have had an impact on me in that way.  Still, I like the album and I like the track.

WHITESNAKE ... Coverdale can write a cool riff, and while this song isn't one of his best, the riff is cool and if you remove the gimmicky left and right handed geetar this balls out rocks. Is that Vandenberg on stage with them or Sykes?   Best one so far!

ZILTOID .. is not available in this country. 

DANIEL-SAN ... He pulls it off with the geetar version of The Swan!!  YES!

Fun post!

[Scott]

[Niels (Mod)]

It was off course on purpose, that I didn't post any solo-stuff ( only the Devin Townsend-song is from a Vai-soloalbum. Can't you find it on Youtube? I think it's worth it), since I'm not that much a fan of instrumental stuff (like RJ). I'm glad, that you like my ideas. I've got a few (15 or so ;-)) left.
Oh, and btw, Vai and sheenan belongs in the same band together.

[RJhog (Admin)]

Not much of a Vai fan either.  I know he can play, but other than that I really haven't followed him.

Zappa - Had a bunch typed for this and accidentally deleted it.  Never was a fan of Zappa.  Not because I listened and didn't like it, more like because I thought he was weird.  Vocally, this sort of proves that theory.  But Vai and Zappa both sound great on the guitar.

Alcatrazz - Not my style.  Never was.  I think the vocals are the biggest problem for me.

DLR - Loved this album and even this video back in the day.  Vai definitely showed his chops.  Never thought about this before, but does DLR have a wig on?  I think so.  80's videos are so funny because everybody in the band is cheesing and looking really silly trying to get some camera time.

Whitesnake - This band I did like.  But really, mostly just the self-titled '87 album.  This particular song is one that I didn't care for.  Still don't.  Lyrically it's just silly.  Cool footage though.

Vai feat. Townsend - Not available.

Crossroads - Never saw that movie.  Dang, Machio can really play.  I'd say he should have been in the DLR Band.  

I agree, the different subjects are cool to check out, though I still don't feel like I'm missing all that much.  I even think I bought a Vai solo album a couple of years ago.  Not that that means anything.

[Scott]

ZILTOID ...  That Devin dude is freaky looking.  Maybe even a bit freakier in reverse.  Still cant get into his style and mixing it up with Vai only added a nice guitar solo into the mix.  Not his best effort....