Steve Vai: A Musical Genius

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Steve Vai is my most favorite musician. I first saw Vai live by chance, while going to see a David Lee Roth concert. I had been a Van Halen fan, and saw them live in the early 1980’s, and wanted to see how Roth was progressing after leaving the band. So, when a friend invited me to go see Roth during the “Eat em and Smile” tour, I was very excited to go with them. At the concert, the band came on stage, and standing in front of me was the lead guitar player. As always, I was up against the stage. I am nosy that way. The lead guitar player looked at me and smiled as he began to play. It wasn’t only his great looks, but his extraordinary playing that charmed, and mesmerized me through the rest of the concert. Roth came flying across the stage from the back of the arena. It seemed everyone turned to watch. But, not me, I was still held mesmerized, and captivated by Vai. I kept looking straight ahead at him, and it seems like I still am. By the way, Steve Vai raises bees in his spare time. So, this must be how he causes this hypnotizing effect. A bee charmer he must be. No, seriously he is a musical genius.

His infamous duel with Ralph Machio, Vai as Jack Butler, cemented Vai as an acclaimed legend. In his role as Jack Butler, Vai had a duel of mincing guitars with “Lightning Boy” for his soul in the move “Crossroads”. Lightning boy was replacing his buddy “Blind Dog Fulton” Willie Brown, who had made a pact with the devil at the Crossroads in exchange for fame. The elderly man now feeling the hell hounds on his trail, that Robert Johnson sang about wanted to redeem himself, and get out of the pact. Of course, Vai played all of the music on the movie.

So, here are my favorite top ten songs of the charming Steve Vai , on this own or with other musicians.

1. The soundtrack for the movie “Crossroads”.
2. “Yankee Rose”, Vai playing lead guitar with David Lee Roth.
3. “Blue Powder”, Vai playing guitar on the “Live at Astoria” DVD.
4. “For the love of God”, live with the Holland Metro-pole Orchestra, 2005.
5. “Lotus Feet”, an unforgettably beautiful song.
6. “Fool for your loving no more” Vai playing lead guitar with Whitesnake.
7. “Rocking in a free world”, Vai playing guitar with Joe Satriani, and Yngwie Malmsteen on a G3 series.
8. “Red House” Vai playing guitar with Joe Satriani, and Eric Johnson on a G3 series.
9. “Little Wing” Vai performing a Jimi Hendrix cover off the “Live at Astoria” DVD. Vai sings on this one. It is simply beautiful.
10. “Whispering a Prayer” Vai playing guitar on the “Live at Astoria” DVD.

Check out more music from Steve Vai on his official – You Tube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/SteveVaiHimself

Image by Tae Sandoval Murgan via Flickr