Vai, Steve - Live At The Astoria In London


Year of Release: 2003
Label: Favored Nations
Catalog Number:
Format: DVD
Total Time: 00:00:00

Steve Vai is a guitar stud, period. To watch his six-string wizardry first hand is like witnessing the eighth wonder of the world take shape. Live At The Astoria In London is an awe-inspiring two DVD set that puts Vai's talents in the spotlight, as well as his cohorts, who are not a shabby bunch by any means. Virgil Donati (drums), Tony Mc Alpine (guitar, keyboards) and Dave Weiner (guitar) are a stellar lineup. Only the very best available musicians in the world are capable of backing an out-of-this-world guitar man like Mr. Vai.

Twenty-one tracks of amazing six-string fireworks are what you get in this performance. Vai plays his guitar with every part of his body, well almost everything; in fact, he plays the guitar better with his tongue than most can with their fingers. Speaking of fingers, the man has the longest fingers I have ever seen, it is no wonder he makes it look so easy, I imagine he would fare just as well on the keyboards if that were his chosen instrument.

It becomes apparent quickly that the audience is there specifically to witness the technical expertise of every band member and some of them actually mention that in a short interview section before the show starts.

Vai is a little of over the top and flashy at times but it comes with the territory. Nonetheless, he is a for real genuine personality with tons of talent and the audience seemed to love every minute of what he dished out.

With the exception of a few sound checks and an interview with Vai's guitar tech, a majority of disc two is more for the hardcore fans and techies, but fun nevertheless. This was every bit as good as I expected it to be. I highly recommend it to budding guitarists and those who love highflying instrumental rock.


Tracklisting:
Disc One : Live: Shyboy / Giant Balls Of Gold / Erotic Nightmares / Blood And Glory / Dave's Party Piece / Blue Powder / The Crying Machine / The Animal / Bangkok / Tony's Solo / Bad Horsie / Chameleon / Down Deep Into The Pain / Fire / Little Wing / Whispering A Prayer / Incantation (With Drum Solo) / Jibboom / For The Love Of God / Liberty / The Attitude Song

Disc Two: Bonus Features: Backstage / Behind-The-Scenes-Footage / Interviews / Band Biographies / Vai Discography / Los Angeles Rehearsals

Musicians:
Steve Vai - guitars
Virgil Donati - drums
Tony McAlpine - guitar, keyboards
Dave Weiner - guitar

Discography:
Frank Zappa - Tinseltown Rebellion (1981/1990)
Frank Zappa - You Are What You Is (1981/1990)
Frank Zappa - Shut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar (1981/1986)
Frank Zappa - Ship Arriving Too Late To Save A Drowning Witch (1982)
Lisa Popeil - Lisa Popeil (1983)
Frank Zappa - The Man From Utopia (1983)
Frank Zappa - Them Or Us (1984)
Flex-able (1984)
Flex-Able Leftovers (ep) (1984/1998*)
Frank Zappa - Thing Fish (1984/1986)
Heresy - At The Door (1985)
Alcatrazz - Disturbing The Peace (1985/2002)
Public Imagine Limited - Album/Cassette/Compact Disc (1985)
Frank Zappa - Meets The Mothers Of Prevention (1985)
Bob Harris - The Great Nostalgia (1986)
Shankar/Caroline - The Epidemics
David Lee Roth - Eat 'Em And Smile (1986)
David Lee Roth - Sonrisa Salvaje (1986)
Randy Coven - Funk Me Tender (1986)
Western Vacation - Western Vacation (1986)
Frank Zappa - Jazz From Hell (1986)
Dudes OST (1987)
Frank Zappa - Guitar (1988)
David Lee Roth - Skyscraper (1988)
Frank Zappa - You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol 1. (1988)
Various - Guitar's Practicing Musicians (1989)
Frank Zappa - You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 3 (1989)
Whitesnake - Slip Of The Tongue (1989)
Rebecca - The Best Of Dreams (1990)
Passion & Warfare (1990)
Alice Cooper - Hey Stoopid (1991)
Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey OST (1991)
Frank Zappa - As An Am (1991)
Encino Man OST (1991)
Frank Zappa - You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 4 (1992)
Frank Zappa - You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 5 (1992)
Frank Zappa - You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 6 (1992)
Various - Zappa's Universe (1993)
Sex And Religion (1993)
PCU OST (1993)
Whitesnake - Greatest Hits (1995)
Alien Love Secrets (1995)
Various - In From The Storm (1995)
Frank Zappa - Strictly Commercial (1995)
Various - The Songs OF West Side Story (1996)
Fire Garden (1996)
Wild Style - Cryin' (1996)
G3 Live In Concert (1997)
Various - Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas (1997)
Munetaka Higuchi w/Dream Castle - Free World (1997)
Frank Zappa - Have I Offended Someone? (1997)
Various - Angelica (1997)
David Lee Roth - The Best (1997)
Gregg Bissonette - Gregg Bissonette (1998)
Frank Zappa - Cheep Thrills (1998)
Al Di Meola - The Infinite Desire (1998)
Various - Merry Axemas, Vol. 2: More Guitars For Christmas (1998)
The Seventh Song - Steve Vai Archives Vol. 1 (1999)
Various - Radio Disney Kid Jams (1999)
Thana Harris - Thanatopsis (1999)
Frank Zappa - Son Of Cheep Thrills (1999)
The Ultra Zone (1999)
Joe Jackson - Symphony No. 1 (1999)
Gregg Bissonette - Submarine (2000)
Alive In An Ultra World (2001)
Billy Sheehan - Compression (2001)
Ghosts Of Mars OST (2001)
The Secret Jewel Box (2001)
Various - Roland Guitar Masters (2002)
The Elusive Light and Sound, Vol. 1 (2002)
Various - Guitars For Freedom (2002)
Mystery Tracks Archives, Vol 3. (2003)
The Infinite Steve Vai: An Anthology (2003)
Archives: Vol 4 (2005)
Real Illusions: Reflections (2005)
Live Album (2007)
Sound Theories: Vols. 1-2 (2007)
Original Album Classics (2008)
Naked Tracks Vol 1-5 (Guitar Center) (2009)
Where The Wild Things Are (2009)
Playlist: The Very Best Of Steve Vai (2010)
Where The Other Wild Things Are: Live In Minneapolis (2010)
Western Vacation (2010)

Alien Love Secrets (VID) (1997)
Live At The Astoria In London (2003) (DVD)
Visual Sound Theories (DVD) (2007)
Where The Wild Things Are (DVD/BR) (2009)

* reissue w/bonus

Genre: Rock

Origin US

Added: December 14th 2003
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.vai.com
Hits: 2454
Language: english

  

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