1. SPEED
Vai - Speed (Vault version)
This track was originally the first half of a song I wrote called "Kill
The Guy With The Ball." It was collecting dust on the shelf so when I
was contacted by Munetaka Higuchi with Dream Castle to contribute a
track to his CD I decided to send him this track. It appeared on his CD
with a totally
different drum track and also contained a few more melody guitars. Here
it is in its original form.
Written by Steve Vai Publisher: Sy Vy Music/ASCAP // Recorded at The
Mothership Studio Hollywood CA. // Steve Vai - Guitar and bass // Deen
Castronovo - Drums.
2. JUST CARTILAGE
Vai - Sex & Religion 1993 (Bonus track for Japan)
The approach that was taken for the recording of this song was different
from anything I had done in the past. I wrote and recorded the basic
framework of the song, gave it to Devin to write vocals and then sent
the tape to TM to put a bass part on. The result is what you hear. This
is one of my favorite pieces from that period.
Written by Steve Vai &
Devin Townsend Publisher: Sy Vy Music/ASCAP, Bucket of Nothing
Music/ASCAP Produced, arranged and engineered by Steve Vai // Devin
Townsend - Lead vocals // TM Stevens - Bass & vocals // Steve -
Everything else P1993 Sony Music Entertainment, Inc., Steve Vai appears
Courtesy of Epic Records.
3. SAN-SAN-NANA-BYOUSHI
Vai - Alien Love Secrets 1995 (bonus track for Japan)
The clapping sequence in this song is a ceremony or cheer that's used in
Japan, usually at sporting events, and means 3-3-7-beat.
Written by
Steve Vai Publisher: Sy Vy Music/ASCAP Produced, arranged and engineered
by Steve Vai The clapping peanut gallery: Lillian Vai, Pia Vai, Neil
Citron, Sergio Buss, Yvonne Seivertson, Ruta Sepetys, Julian & Fire Vai. Steve actually plays tambourine too. P1995 Sony Music Entertainment,
Inc., Steve Vai appears Courtesy of Epic Records.
4. SOFA (3:51)
Zappa's Universe (1993)
This production was a tribute to Frank Zappa. I was asked to contribute
to four songs during the show. Frank's music has always held a special
place in my heart… and fingers. I had spent a good deal of the early
part of my career attempting to impress Frank with the way I played his
songs. It's unfortunate that he passed away just a month before I
received a Grammy for the song "Sofa" in the Best Rock Instrumental
Performance category. Given his "fondness" for things like awards, I
suspect that if Frank had been around for the presentation of this
Grammy he probably would have poured a steaming cup of
industrial-strength java from his always handy thermos, lit a cigarette,
wiggled his eyebrows up and down a few times, and tossed a remark that
blended the perfect balance of humor, truth, praise and stinging
sarcasm, all in one short breath. Then he'd move on to whatever the next
chore at hand was without missing a beat.
Written by Frank Zappa //
Publisher: Munchkin Music/ASCAP. Recorded November 7, 1991, at The Ritz,
New York // Concert conceived, conducted and arranged by Joel Thome //
Album sort of produced by Davitt Sigerson // Album Executive producer -
Guy Eckstine // Executive producers - John Scher & Jeff Rowland //
Digitally recorded by Dave Hewett, Remote Recording Inc. // P1993 The
Verve Music Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc., Courtesy of The
Verve Music Group under license from Universal Music Enterprises
Steve Vai - Guitar // Mike Keneally - Guitar, keyboards // Mats Oberg -
Keyboards, piano // Scott Thunes - Bass // Morgan Agren - Drums //
Jonathan Haas - Multiple percussion // Marc Ziegenhagen - Additional
keyboards // Joel Thome - Artistic director/music // director/conductor
Sal Scarpa - Asst. music director/conductor
5. ESSENCE
Vai - Roland Demonstration Track 2002
This track was recorded to demonstrate the Roland VG88 and GR33. It was
originally released on a Roland promotional sampler disk. Produced,
engineered, all instruments, bla bla bla... Steve!
All sounds are generated from the Roland VG88 and GR33
6. WIPEOUT 2000
Radio Disney Kid Jams 1999
This was recorded and originally released on Radio Disney Kid Jams. It's
just one of those, "let's have fun tracks." It was actually a hit on
radio Disney.
Written by Robert Earl Berryhill, Patrick Vincent Conolly,
James Evans Fuller and Ronald Lee Wilson. Publisher: Miraleste
Music/Robin Hood Music Co. Renewed 1991 (BMI) Produced and Engineered by
Steve Steve Vai ? Guitar Mike Porcaro - Bass Robin Dimaggio - Drums
Printz - Vocals.
7. FEATHERS
Vai - Korg Pandora Promotional Disc 2002
This track was recorded to demonstrate the Korg Pandora PXR4. I also
donated this song to a Jason Becker Tribute CD called "Warmth in the
Wilderness Vol. II" which was released through Lion Music. I truly adore
this song and upon its completion I sat and listened to it over and over
for about... 2 days.
Written by Steve Vai Publisher: Sy Vy Music / ASCAP
Steve: All instruments and samples. All guitar sounds are generated from
the Pandora PXR4 and the track was recorded into it.
8. OPPOSITES ATTRACT PART 1
Vai - Morley Bad Horsie Promotional Disc 1998
This track was originally released on a Morley promotional CD for the
Bad Horsie Wah pedal.
Written by Steve Vai Publisher: Sy Vy Music/ASCAP Steve Vai: Guitars and
vocals Robin Dimaggio: Drum Programming, Produced and engineered by
Steve Vai, Co-produced by Robin Dimaggio, Assistant Engineer: Marcelo Gomes.
9. MISFITS
Vai - Roland Demonstration Track 2002
This track was recorded to demonstrate the Roland VG88 and GR33. It was
originally released on a Roland promotional sampler disk. Produced,
engineered, all instruments,
bla bla bla... Steve! All sounds are generated from the Roland VG88 and
GR33.
10. SELFLESS LOVE
Vai - The Ultra Zone 1999 (bonus track for Japan)
This song was written for my Mother, Theresa. I was blessed with the
good fortune of growing up with a sweetheart for a Mum. As a matter of
fact, at the time that I am writing this (August 22, 2002) I am floating
on a cruise ship through the Caribbean with her and my family. I'm
sitting on a lounge chair and I'm looking at her right now. She doesn't
know I'm writing this... hi Mom... Oops, she just smiled at me. We could
never truly give back to our parents what they have sacrificed for us.
Written by Steve Vai . Publisher: SyVy Music ASCAP. Produced arranged
and performed by Steve Vai. 1999 Sony Music Entertainment, Inc., Steve
Vai appears Courtesy of Epic Records.
11. MAPLE LEAFS (Song for Canada)
Vai - Alive in an Ultra World 2001 (Outtake)
We were in Dublin, Ireland and one of the guys in the band could not
make it to sound check because of the blah blah blah…so this blew the
opportunity to rehearse and record a new song with the band, but being
the documenting pack rat that I am, I was determined to make a recording
in Dublin, Ireland that at least I could listen to in the future and
say, hey, that was recorded in that far off, distant place that I always
dreamed about going to. I grabbed Mike Keneally and asked Dave Weiner to
just run the hard disk and this song is what happened. I went from being
very angry to very happy all because of the beautiful guitar, and Mike
Keneally of course. And hey, we were really there and now you are too.
Written by Steve Vai and Mike Keneall. Publisher: SyVy Music / ASCAP.
Steve Vai: Guitars
Mike Keneally: Guitar
12. THE MURDER
Vai - Fire Garden 1996 (bonus track for Japan)
Another weird dream spawned this song.
Written by Steve Vai. Publisher:
Sy Vy Music/ASCAP, Produced, arranged and engineered by Steve. Vai Steve - Everything.
p1996 Sony Music Entertainment Inc., Steve Vai appears Courtesy of Epic
Records
13. OPPOSITES ATTRACT PART 2
(THE INDULGENT VERSION)
Vai - Morley Bad Horsie Promotional Disc 1998. This is the long
overindulgent version.
Written by Steve Vai. Publishers: Sy Vy Music/ASCAP. Steve Vai: Guitars.
Robin Dimaggio: Drum Programming. Produced and engineered by Steve Vai.
Co-produced by Robin Dimaggio. Assistant Engineer: Marcelo Gomes.
Archives Vol. 4 is a collection of songs Vai has contributed to other
projects and records including Public Image Ltd., tracks from the
Hendrix tribute In From The Storm with the London Symphony Orchestra,
and a collaboration with Chick Corea from The Songs Of West Side Story,
among others.
 |
Artist: |
Steve Vai |
| Titel: |
"VAI - Archives Volume 4 (Various Artists)" |
| Format: |
Album
|
| Release Date: |
10.11.2003 |
| Vertrieb: |
Favored Nations / Zomba |
STEVE VAI'S MONSTERS:
- Steve Vai (Guitar)
- John Pena (Bass)
- Simon Phillips (Drums)
- David Paich & Greg Phillinganes (Synthesizers)
- Lenny Castro (Percussion)
CHICK COREA'S ELEKTRIC BAND:
- Frank Gambale (Guitar)
- James Earl (Bass)
- David Weckl (Drums)
- Chick Corea (Rhodes & Synth)
- Eric Marienthal (Sax)
- Joe Porcaro (Percussion)
1. SWEET LADY LUCK
This was originally a B-side for the single "Fool for Your Lovin'". It's
my favorite track that I contributed guitar parts to during my stay with
Whitsnake. For me it seems to capture the dynamic lead
vocalist/guitarist relationship at the height of the 80's rock movement.
Plus, Coverdale kicks major bootie on this track. It was amazing to
watch him sing every night.
Written by David Coverdale and Adrian Vandenberg. Published by David
Coverdale/WB Music Corp./ASCAP. David Coverdale - Vocals. Steve Vai -
Guitar. Rudy Sarzo - Bass. Tommy Aldridge - Drums. Tommy Funderburk -
Backing Vocals. Produced by Mike Clink & Keith Olsen.
The Songs of West Side Story
1996 (Various Artists)
I was about 6 years old when I saw "West Side Story" for the first time.
It had a bigger musical impact on me than anything I had been exposed
to. It was everything I craved to hear in music. It had attitude and
edge, historical melody, extraordinary orchestration, and theatrical
value. David Pack arranged and produced a beautiful record with many
guest stars ranging from Aretha Franklin and Selena to Phil Collins. I
was honored when he asked if I would lead a band that would play against
Chick Corea's band on the track "Rumble". The studio setting with the
two bands playing against each other was extraordinary. Chick Corea's
performance left us all speechless on several occasions.
2. RUMBLE
Written by Leonard Bernstein. Publisher: The Leonard Bernstein Music
Publishing Co. LLC/ASCAP Conceived, Produced & Arranged by Dave Pack
Executive Producer - Michael Greene Supervising Executive - James Berk
Arrangement and additional music segments by David Pack, Chick Corea,
David Paich & John Dickson; rhythm arrangement. Assistance by Simon
Phillips & David Weckl. Sound effects courtesy of Robert Grieve at Sound Dogs.
Note from Producer, David Pack: This was recorded entirely live, with
Chick Corea's Elektric band and Steve Vai's Monsters in a musical
"face-off" at Oceanway Studio 1 in Hollywood in February '95. With the
"jazzers vs. rockers" theme in mind, project engineer Allen Sides and I
decided that whenever the ensembles were at war, he would pan one hard
left and the other hard right to simulate a musical "rumble", returning
to a normal stereo image when each ensemble staked out its individual
musical turf.
Public Image Limited (PIL) (1985)
I got a call from Bill Laswell. I was recommended to him by Cliff
Cultreri to work on this PIL record with Johnny Lydon. I flew in and did
my parts on this record in a day and a half. Walking with Lydon through
downtown Soho in Manhattan was like watching Moses part the Red Sea. His
fans show their respect... hmmm... differently than most.
3. EASE
Written by John Lydon & Jebin Bruni, Published by Totally Rad Music/BMI,
Produced by Bill Laswell & John Lydon, John Lydon ? vocals, Steve Vai-
guitar, Nicky Scopolitus - guitar, Bill Laswell - bass, Ginger Baker -
drums.
4. HOME
Written by John Lydon & Bill Laswell, Publisher: More Cut Music/BMI,
Produced by Bill Laswell & John Lydon, John Lydon - vocals. Steve Vai-
guitar, Nicky Scopolitus - guitar, Bill Laswell - bass, Ginger Baker
- drums.
Western Vacation (1986)
My friend, Marty Schwartz, sent me the tape for this song while I was on
tour with David Lee Roth. I recorded my guitar solo in a hotel room.
Some people have told me that it's their favorite Vai solo. Bob Harris
sings this peppy little ditty.
5. WESTERN VACATION
Written by Martin Schwartz. Publisher: Papa Woody Music/BMI. Produced &
Arranged by Martin Schwartz . Vocal Arrangements by Bob Harris.Co-arranging by Jac Mihanovic, Chris Frazier & Bob Harris Recorded by
Paul Levy at Stucco Blue Studios and Sunset Sound Mixed by Martin
Schwartz and Paul Levy at Stucco Blue Studios mastered by John Matousek
at Hitsville, assisted by Paul Levy Mike O'Brien - cowboys Bob Harris -
lead & background vocals Suzannah Harris - background vocals Martin
Schwartz - guitars, cowboys & first solo Jac Mihanovic - bass Chris
Frazier - drums & percussion Tommy Mars - keyboards & background vocals
Reckless Fable (aka Steve Vai) - long guitar solo Ric Cunningham -
saxophone, Gregg Bissonette - Submarine 2000.
I first met Gregg when he came in and auditioned for the drum spot in
the David Lee Roth Band. After he played all the other drummers left
with their sticks limp.
6. Noah's Ark
Written by Matt Bissonette, Publisher: Dogs in Space Music/BMI, Steve
Vai - guitars, Matt Bissonette - background vocals and bass, Gregg
Bissonette - lead vocals and drums, Drums and bass recorded at Mad
Hatter Studios, Guitars recorded at The Mothership.
In From The Storm
(Symphonic Hendrix/Various Artists) 1995, Eddie Kramer invited me to
perform with these stellar musicians. The idea was to cop Jimi's parts
and then have the track arranged for The London Metropolitan Orchestra.
7. DRIFTING
Written by Jimi Hendrix, Publisher: Experience Hendrix, LLC (ASCAP),
Recorded at Electric Lady Studios, New York by Eddie Kramer and Brian
Sperber, assisted by Jamie
Additional recording at the Mothership, Los Angeles Orchestra
arrangement by Joe Mardin with Eddie Kramer Orchestrated and conducted
by Joe Mardin Orchestra recorded at Whitfield Street
Studios, London by Mike Ross-Trevor assisted by Will.The aforementioned
credits do not look right. Waiting to confirm. Steve Vai - lead guitar,
Corey Glover - vocals, Hiram Bullock - guitar, Billy Cox - bass, Dave
Samuels - vibes, Tony Beard - drums, The London Metropolitan Orchestra.
8. BOLD AS LOVE
Written by Jimi Hendrix, Publisher: Experience Hendrix, LLC (ASCAP). Recorded at Oceanway
Studios, Los Angeles by Eddie Kramer and Rail Rogut Additional recording
at the Mothership, Los Angeles and at Whitfield Street . Studios,
London. Arrangement by Joe Mardin with Eddie Kramer. Orchestrated and
conducted by Joe Mardin
Orchestra recorded at Whitfield Street Studios, London, by Mike
Ross-Trevor assisted by Will
Steve Vai - guitar, Paul Rogers - vocal, Tony Williams - drums, Bob
Daisley - bass, The London Metropolitan Orchestra.
Bob Harris - The Great Nostalgia 1986
I met Bob Harris in 1981 while I was in Frank Zappa's band. He's an
exceptional person and musician. He released an album called the "Great
Nostalgia" independently. The beauty of these 2 songs are a reflection
of Bob's heart.
9. There's Still Hope
Written by Bob Harris, Publisher: Mastahna Music/BMI, Bob Harris -
vocal, keyboards and trumpet
Steve Vai - guitar, Billy James - percussion.
10. Autumn in Nepal
Written by Bob Harris, Publisher: Mastahna Music/BMI, Steve Vai -
electric sitar, Bob Harris - keyboards and vocals, Tommy Mars - recorder
and blue Moon, Billy James - percussion.
Alice Cooper - Hey Stoopid 1991
Discovering Alice Cooper when I was 13 gave me a new lease on life. As a
matter of fact, his song, "Dead Babies," was the first song I ever
played on the guitar. Good thing for me it was mostly open strings.
Working with Alice on this song was the realization of a childhood
fantasy.
11. FEED MY FRANKENSTEIN
Written by Alice Cooper, Nick Coler, Ian Richardson & Mark Manning,
Publishers: Zomba Music Publishing Ltd. (All rights controlled by
Zomba, Enterprises Inc. for the USA and Canada) (ASCAP)/Ezra Music Corp.
(BMI) Zoo Music, Ltd. and Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (PRS) All rights
for Ezra Music Corp. controlled and administered by EMI Blackwood Music
Inc. (BMI) All rights for Zoo Music Ltd. and Warner Chappell Music Ltd.
administered by WB Music Corp. (ASCAP). Produced by Peter Collins for Jill Music Ltd., Recorded by Paul
Northfield, Recorded at The Complex in Los Angeles, Assistant Engineers
- Dave Levy, Scott Jochim, Mixed at A & M Studios, Hollywood, Assistant
Engineer - Brian Scheuble, Alice Cooper - lead vocals, Steve Vai -
guitar, Joe Satriani - guitar, Stef Burns - guitar, Nikki Sixx - bass, Mickey
Curry - drums, Robert Bailey, John Webster - keyboards, British Gang
(Ian Richardson, Nick Coler, Mick Wilson) - background vocals West Coast
Gang (Terry Wood, Shaun Murphy, Sherwood Ball, Cali, Gary Falcone, Mike
Finnegan, Stan Bush) - background vocals.
Angelica (Various Artists) 1997
I was approached by producer Clif Magness who had a concept to merge
classic opera pieces with rock band performances. Arias from hell!
12. DER HOLLE RACHE (QUEEN OF THE NIGHT)
Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart for his opera "The Magic Flute"
Produced by Clif Magness Executive Producer - Carol Bayer Sager,
Engineered by Clif Magness and Francis Buckley Mixed by Francis Buckley
Arranged by Clif Magness, Publisher: Blue Iron Gate Music/EMI April,
Music /ASCAP, All About Me Music, adm. by WB Music Corp., BMI, Steve Vai
- guitar, Lori Stinson - soprano, Clif Magness - keyboards, guitar,
percussion, synth programming, Josh Freese - drums, The furious wrath of
a woman against a man, who is unwilling to accept her as an equal.
Lilly
13. Gone
This is a track that I co-wrote and produced for a very special artist.
There's no wacky guitar playing but to me there is something exceptional
about this track. There's a sincerity and uniqueness in Lilly's vocal
performances that has always touched me.
