VISUAL SOUND THEORIES

I just watched this concert DVD. I am shocked. I never knew. I'd HEARD of Steve Vai, maybe even seen a snippet or two on YouTube (with other bands or collaborators) but I had no idea. I'd grown pretty comfortable with my assignations of "greatest guitar player ever" to the likes of Jeff Beck, Prince, Wes Montgomery, John Mclaughlin, Roy Buchanan, Jan Akkerman, and even Jimi Hendrix, but now, after this concert experience, I'm humbled, beaten, drained, and exhausted into submission: Steve Vai is the greatest guitarist I've ever seen. I love the orchestrated renditions of these songs here. There are times when he uses the orchestra to bounce his guitar ideas off of, or to replicate and carry them forward, but there are also times when Steve sits to watch as the orchestra operates without him. These are some of the moments that are so moving for he seems genuinely humbled by the orchestral performances, looking at times as if he is in genuine disbelief that this orchestra is playing such beautiful music--music that he wrote! "For the Love of God" has got to be one of the most amazing songs ever created--and to think that he can replicate the guitar parts, in concert, time after time (with an orchestra!) Amazing! I love how animated he is with his soloing--every note seems to come from emotions deep within him--which is amazing in and of itself for the fact that his speed and nuances are so laser sharp and mercurial. Having just said that, I must also add that he can do more with a single note than anyone I've ever seen--more than B.B. King, Prince, Roy Buchanan, or even Jeff Beck. I am in awe and disbelief.

You'all might not be seeing me for a while: I have a lot of Steve Vai videos and music to catch up on.

If you haven't seen Steve Vai or this video, do so--RUN to do so. You will not be disappointed!