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Steve Vai - Sound Theories, Vols. 1-2 Audio CD

A fair review of the Steve Vai "Sound Theories, Vols. 1-2" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Steve Vai reviews here, or go back to the Steve Vai tabs.

Steve Vai Band: Steve Vai
Title: Sound Theories, Vols. 1-2
Rating:
Release Date: 2007-06-26
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Kill the Guy with the Ball 2: God Eaters 3: Murder Prologue 4: Murder 5: Gentle Ways 6: Answers 7: I'm Becoming 8: Salamanders in the Sun 9: Liberty 10: Attitude Song 11: For the Love of God 12: Shadows And... 13: Sparks 14: Frangelica, Pt. 1 15: Frangelica, Pt. 2 16: Helios and Vesta 17: Bledsoe Bluvd

One of the best guitarists today.
The CD tracks were edited from several live performances, which is fine. I rate the CD 4 out of 5 ONLY because the video version is better. However, I prefer the live spontaneity. Vai has long been a favorite of mine, and has had a lasting impact on the guitar world. Every serious guitar player, regardless of their personal tastes and style should be familiar with him.


awful
But where the idea came for this arranged marriage. This is AWFUL!! I love Vai's music, and as usual his guitar is the greatest. . . Like, "oh yah, let's join screaming metal guitar with kettle drums and oboes and lots of brass, I don't why nobody thought of this yet" I'll tell you why: because it is awful. I listened to it every day for ten days and still the only enjoyable part was the guitar. Guess what? I already have the guitar music on the original CDs, although the recording of the crowd is great, as if I'm in a Roman Coliseum, lots of roaring. This album has a lot of five star reviews, but the fact that it costs new more than $20 before shipping fees, but second-hand goes for $8 (for a double album)may suggest that a lot of other people wonder about its value. If you liked Robert Plant singing "All of My Love" you'll like this.


Not for guitar geeks only!
When you boil it all down, those albums are just overbearing wankery, used only to show off how cool the guy thinks he is. Usually when you see a guitarist put out an album recorded with an orchestra, you can roll your eyes and laugh at the sheer arrogance of the whole thing.
Not this time. There is GENUINE MUSIC on these two CD's. This set really shows off Steve Vai as what he is - A COMPOSER. His music translates remarkably well to the orchestra. The pieces were very obviously lovingly, painstakingly arranged. If you've never heard Steve's music before and heard these versions, you'd think they were always meant to be played that way. "Salamanders In The Sun" is a perfect example. WOW.
I've seen some people whine about CD #2 not having Steve playing on it. They need a wake up call. Even though Steve is not on the stage, you can still hear him loud and clear. He is, after all, a composer.


Delightful
Just two words. From the difficulties to understand the performance from the beginning, it turned out to be perfect. . . Steve Vai! .


Pretty Blah.
I do think he's one of the most creative and talented guitarists out there, and on top of that is a brilliant composer to boot. I'm a pretty big Vai fan, having purchased pretty much everything he has released, including all of his studio work plus several DVD's. Unfortunately he often goes off on weird tangents that, for him and others who tire of music that is musical, probably is a joy and wonder to listen to despite its non-musicality. That's pretty much what we have here.

The first CD is a bunch of familiar songs arranged for orchestra and then apparently Vai added some guitar in the studio or some such. . . in all cases (except maybe The Attitude Song) the original studio versions are not only better, but these versions simply didn't really need to happen. . . it's cool to bring an orchestra in and really flesh things out, but it's a bit over the top here. For the Love of God has a great start until, believe it or not, the guitar kicks in: ruins the mood he spent the first three or four minutes creating. So unfortunately: good idea, but poor execution.

Disc 2 is also a good idea: I was interested in hearing Vai flex his compositional muscles, but again it's basically that over-the-top Vai weirdness arranged for an orchestra. I found myself thinking that it would be better if he had just created ordinary songs out of these (e. g. Lucky Charms: brilliant little tune that's "just right" on The Ultra World. . . doesn't need an orchestra and, having heard this, I don't want to hear it with an orchestra).

I prefer Vai the eccentric, maniacal guitarist. . . and I appreciate the sonic exploration he does, but I've come to expect the occasional bit of madness that simply doesn't connect. Unfortunately this two-disc set is just that.


You can see a complete list of all Steve Vai discography, or go back to the Steve Vai tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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