by John Kindred
– Publisher —
Steve Vai is known for his time spent working with Frank Zappa, Alcatrazz, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, Carvin amplifiers and Ibanez guitars. He also is a successful solo artist, an instrumental guitar wizard, producer and record label owner.
As of today, Steve Vai’s discography includes the release of eight studio albums, two EPs, two special albums, eight live albums, 12 soundtracks, 20 compilation albums and six DVD releases.
In celebration of Vai releasing his monumental studio album Passion and Warfare in 1990 comes the 25th anniversary release, paired with his ninth studio album titled Modern Primitive.
Modern Primitive bridges the gap between Vai’s first solo album Flex-Able in 1984 and Passion and Warfare, released in 1990. This offers fans a sense of where Vai’s personal musical explorations were taking him from ’84 to ’90, while also being member of the David Lee Roth Band (1985-1989) and Whitesnake (1989-1991).
Modern Primitive features 13 songs, with seven or eight that had been recorded, left unfinished until now. Vai purposefully brought back his bandmates, finished the songs and recorded additional music the band performed live during that time period. The band comprises bassist Stu Hamm, guitarist Dave Weiner, drummer Jeremy Colson and keyboardist Mike Kineally
The second CD, the remastered Passion and Warfare, contains the original 14 songs plus four bonus tracks.
Twenty-five-plus years later, Passion and Warfare still holds its own when pitted against other well-known and respected “great” guitars albums. Vai’s creativity, combined with his musical experience of performing with musical giants like Zappa, Roth and Coverdale, produced cohesive instrumental Hard Rock songs that had all of Vai’s unique traits melded into a tight, energetic package of music.
Vai always has offered fans musical opuses that maintained his humoristic side – that were and are quirky, weird and cerebral. Non-traditional is another way to describe Vai’s music, granting him the air of originality in an ocean of sameness.
Fans know this record inside and out, so from the opener “Liberty,” “For the Love of God” to “The Audience is Listening,” the same level of awe is struck with each note. The additional songs provide a new look into how the album might have opened “As Above” and closed “So Below.” “Lovely Elixir,” a shelved tune, makes its debut. “And We Are One” appears in its entirety on Modern Primitive, and here, Vai showcases another solo variation that he couldn’t just throw away.
Throughout his career, Vai always has maintained his dynamically different and varied approach to music that is explorative and seems to be reaching out from other-worldly dimensions.
Genre: Instrumental, Hard Rock, Experimental
Track Listing:
“Modern Primitive”
01. Bop!
02. Dark Matter
03. Mighty Messengers
04. The Lost Chord
05. Upanishads
06. Fast Note People
07. And We Are One
08. Never Forever
09. Lights Are On
10. No Pockets
11. Pink and Blows Over: Part 1
12. Pink and Blows Over: Part 2 (Mars Attack)
13. Pink and Blows Over: Part 3 (Jazzbo Paddle-foot)
“Passion and Warfare 25th Anniversary Edition”
01. Liberty
02. Erotic Nightmares
03. The Animal
04. Answers
05. The Riddle
06. Ballerina 12/24
07. For Love Of God
08. The Audience ls Listening
09. I Would Love To
10. Blue Powder
11. Greasy Kid’s Stuff
12. Alien Water Kiss
13. Sisters
14. Love Secrets
15. Lovely Elixir (Bonus)
16. And We Are One (Solo #2) (Bonus)
17. As Above (Bonus)
18. So Below (Bonus)
Label: Sony Legacy
Web: http://www.vai.com/
