Saturday, October 31, 2009

BIRTH CONTROL / birth control

Birth control remastered

LINK:birthcontrol


01. No drugs (4:01)
02. Recollection (6:24)
03. Deep inside (4:40)
04. Foolish action (4:32)
05. Sundown (10:02)
06. Change of mind (4:42)
07. Light my fire (5:40)
08. No Drugs (Bonus) (Mono Single Mix) (4:07)
09. All I Want Is You (Bonus) (4:13)
10. October (Bonus)(First Single) (3:43)
11. Freedom (Bonus)(First Single) (4:01)


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Friday, October 30, 2009

GENESIS / selling England by the pound

Selling England by the pound

LINK:selling


"This remains one of my all time favorite recordings (I am not alone in this camp I am sure!) Full of rich textures and superb song writing, GENESIS were at their creative peak. "Selling..." moves from pop-like songs (I know what I like) to pure prog-like "Battle Of Epping Forest". This is a very fulfilling album and musicianship is very high here with some incredible song writing. The sound reproduction is much better than previous albums as well. This is an essential recording for everyones progressive rock collection."

- Tony Banks / keyboards, 12 String guitar
- Phil Collins / drums, percussion, backing vocals, lead vocals (4)
- Peter Gabriel / lead vocals, percussion, flute, oboe
- Steve Hackett / electric guitar, nylon guitar
- Mike Rutherford / bass guitar, 12 string guitar, electric Sitar

01. Dancing With The Moonlit Knight
02. I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)
03. Firth Of Fifth
04. More Fool Me
05. The Battle Of Epping Forest
06. After The Ordeal
07. The Cinema Show
08. Aisle Of Plenty

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GENESIS / nursery cryme

Nursery cryme

LINK:nurserycryme


* Peter Gabriel – lead vocals, flute, bass drum, tambourine
* Steve Hackett – electric guitar, 12 string guitar
* Tony Banks – organ, mellotron, piano, electric piano, 12 string guitar, vocals
* Mike Rutherford – bass, bass pedals, 12 string guitar, vocals
* Phil Collins – drums, vocals, percussion, lead vocals (uncredited) on "For Absent Friends"

1. "The Musical Box" – 10:24
2. "For Absent Friends" – 1:44
3. "The Return Of The Giant Hogweed" – 8:09
4. "Seven Stones" – 5:08
5. "Harold The Barrel" – 2:59
6. "Harlequin" – 2:53
7. "The Fountain Of Salmacis" – 7:54

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BIRTH CONTROL / backdoor possibililies

Backdoor possibilities

LINK:backdoor

Deep purple style for thi album.

1. Stop little lady (7:16)
2. Just before the sun will rise (7:35)
3. The work is done (5:56)
4. Flesh and blood (3:27)
5. Pandemonium (6:34)
6. Let us do it now (11:09)

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BIRTH CONTROL / operation

Operation

LINK:operation


- Bruno Frenzel / guitar, vocals
- Bernd Koschmidder / bass
- Bernd Noske / drums, vocals
- Reinjhold Sobotta / organ

1. Stop little lady (7:16)
2. Just before the sun will rise (7:35)
3. The work is done (5:56)
4. Flesh and blood (3:27)
5. Pandemonium (6:34)
6. Let us do it now (11:09)

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Thursday, October 29, 2009

BIRTH CONTROL / rebirth

Rebirth

LINK:rebirth


"Together with "Hoodoo Man" this album marks the peak in the career of the german Krautrock-pioneers BirthControl. THIS IS HIGH-CLASS-PROGRESSIVE ROCK, without any filler on the album. Each track has specific characteristics: First of all, we have the organ-dominated opening number "She´s got nothing on you", that reminds me of Deep Purple, then the trumpet&trombone on "Mr. Hero", played by multiinstrumentalist Zeus B. Held, contributing to a fuller (jazz-oriented) sound. This jazzrock-style returns on "No Shade Is Real". The acoustic "Grandjeanville" and the Zeus B. Held "mini"-instrumental "M.P.C." give even more relief to REBIRTH, but with "Together Alone Tonight" we have not only reached the highlight of this album, but the finest piece of music by BirthControl -according to my opinion- even greater than "Gamma Ray". The closing number "Back To Hell" shows drummer Bernd Noske at its best, his drum solo decorated with well-placed synthie-effects."

- Peter Föller / bass, vocals, triangle (6)
- Bruno Frenzel / guitar, vocals, Alto sax (2)
- Zeus B. Held / keyboards, mellotron, flute (5), trumpet & trombone (2)
- Bernd Noske / drums, percussion, vocals, Moog drum (7)
- Dirk Steffens / lead guitar, vocals, acoustic guitar (3)

1. She's got nothing on you (5:04)
2. Mister Hero (6:42)
3. Grandjeanville (1:03)
4. No shade is real (4:41)
5. M.P.C. (1:56)
6. Together alone tonight (10:28)
7. Back from hell (8:08)

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BIRTH CONTROL hoodoo man

Hoodoo man

LINK: hoodooman


1. Buy! (7:10)
2. Suicide (6:16)
3. Get down to your fate (7:58)
4. Gamma ray (9:44)
5. Hoodoo man (8:25)
6. Klaustoss (2:40)

Birth Control (band)

Birth Control performing at the Sweden Rock Festival in 2008.

Birth Control is a German Krautrock band known for their progressive hard-rock sound and provocative album covers.

Birth Control formed in the middle of 1968 in Berlin from two other bands, the Earls and the Gents. The initial members were: Bernd Koschmidder (bass), Reinhold Sobotta (organ), Rolf Gurra (saxophone and vocals), Fritz Groeger (vocals), Klaus Orso (guitar), Reiner Borchert (guitar), and Hugo Egon Balder (percussion).

After a series of disappointing albums in the early 1980s, the group disbanded, but reunited in 1993 with only drummer/lead vocalist/band leader Bernd 'Nossi' Noske remaining along with new members. The band continues to tour in Germany and release new albums periodically. As of recently, former members Peter Föller (bass, vocals) and Zeus B. Held (keyboards, reeds) from the band's classic period have been making special guest appearances at gigs. Sadly, original guitarist/songwriter Bruno Frenzel died on September 21, 1983 from a long illness.


Discography

  • Birth Control (1970)
  • Operation (1971)
  • Believe in the Pill (Best of…) (1972)
  • Hoodoo Man (1972)
  • Knock Knock. Who’s There (1973)
  • Rebirth (1973)
  • Goldrock (1973)
  • Live (1974)
  • Plastic People (1975)
  • Backdoor Possibilities (1976)
  • Live (1977)
  • The Best Of (1977)
  • Increase (1977)
  • The Best Of (Vol. 2) (1978)
  • Titanic (1978)
  • Rock on Brain (1978)
  • Live 79 (1979)
  • Count on Dracula (1980)
  • Deal Done at Night (1981)
  • Bäng (1982)
  • Gamma Ray (Special Mix) (1989)
  • The Very Best Of (1990)
  • Condomium (1994)
  • Two Worlds (1995)
  • Jungle Life (1996)
  • Definitive Collection (1996)
  • Getting There (1998)
  • Crazy Nights (Studio Session) (1998)
  • Live Abortion (2000)
  • Live in Lachendorf (2000)
  • Alsatian (2003)
  • Live in Fulda (2004)
  • 35th Anniversary - Live At Rockpalast (2005)


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BIRTH CONTROL / titanic

LINK:titanic

Bit rate 320 kps


1. The last survivor (4:30)
2. Miss Davina (4:33)
3. Seems like it's confusion (5:13)
4. How can I live? (6:52)
5. Titanic (5:16)
6. Love light (4:41)
7. Don't turn back (5:21)
8. Saturday special (5:28)

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Wednesday, October 28, 2009

STEVE VAI / passion and warfare

LINK:passionandwarfare

Bit rate 320 kps


Vai. One of the greatest. Unlike many guitar albums this is actually fun to listen to and is probably Vai's best. For the Love of God is one of the most intense displays of virtuosity ever recorded. Some other highlights are Blue Powder, The Audience Is Listening, and Erotic Nighmares. Essential to all guitar fans and recomended to prog fans for it's pure chopsmanship." - King Crimson776-ProgArchives


Eventide / synth
Nancy Fagan / vocals
Jamie Firlotte / vocals
Chris Frazier / drums
Stuart Hamm / bass
Bob Harris / keyboards
Tris Imboden / drums
David Rosenthal / keys
Pia Vai / keys
Steve Vai / bass, guitar, keys

1. Liberty (2:02)
2. Erotic Nightmares (4:13)
3. The Animal (3:55)
4. Answers (2:41)
5. The Riddle (6:22)
6. Ballerina 12/24 (1:45)
7. For the Love of God (6:02)
8. The Audience is Listening (5:30)
9. I Would Love To (3:40)
10. Blue Powder (4:44)
11. Greasy Kid's Stuffd (2:57)
12. Alien Water Kiss (1:10)
13. Sisters (4:07)

Steve Vai

Steve Vai

Steve Vai in 2007
Background information
Birth name Steven Siro Vai
Born June 6, 1960 (1960-06-06) (age 49)
Carle Place, New York
Genres Instrumental rock, hard rock, heavy metal, progressive rock
Instruments Guitar, vocals
Years active 1980 - present
Associated acts David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, Alcatrazz, Frank Zappa, G3, Billy Sheehan, Ozzy Osbourne
Website Official website
Notable instruments
Ibanez JEM, Ibanez Universe

Steven "Steve" Siro Vai (born June 6, 1960 in Carle Place, New York) is an Italian American instrumental rock guitarist, songwriter, vocalist, producer, beekeeper, and actor. After starting his professional career as a music transcriptionist for Frank Zappa, Vai would also record and tour in Zappa's backing band starting in 1980. The guitarist began a solo career starting in 1984 and has released 13 solo albums as of 2008. Apart from his work with Frank Zappa, Vai has also recorded and toured with numerous musical artists including Alcatrazz, David Lee Roth and Whitesnake. Vai has been a regular touring member of the G3 Concert Tour which began in 1996. In 1999 Vai started his own record label Favored Nations with the intent to showcase, as Vai describes: "...artists that have attained the highest performance level on their chosen instruments."

Career

1970s and 1980s

In 1974, Vai took guitar lessons from guitarist Joe Satriani, and played in numerous local bands, one that took the name, "The Steve Vais". He has acknowledged the influence of many guitarists including Jeff Beck and jazz fusion guitarist Allan Holdsworth. Vai followed those lessons by attending and graduating the Berklee College of Music, afterwards recording a promotional piece for them, speaking about auditioning for Frank Zappa, at age twenty.

Steve Vai (on guitar in between the drum set and keyboard set), Frank Zappa and band during a concert at the Memorial Auditorium, Oct 25, 1980 Buffalo, NY

Vai mailed Frank Zappa a transcription of Zappa's "The Black Page", an instrumental song written for drums, along with a tape with some of Vai's guitar playing. Zappa was so impressed with the abilities of the young musician that he hired him in 1979 to do work transcribing several of his guitar solos, including many of those appearing on the Joe's Garage album and the Shut Up 'n' Play Yer Guitar series. These transcriptions were published in 1982 in The Frank Zappa Guitar Book.

Subsequent to being hired as a transcriber, Vai did overdubs on many of the guitar parts for Zappa's album You Are What You Is. Thereafter he became a full-fledged band member, going on his first tour with Zappa in the Autumn of 1980. One of those early shows with Vai on guitar, recorded in Buffalo was released in 2007. While touring with Zappa's band, Vai would sometimes ask audience members to bring musical scores and see if he could sight-read them on the spot. Zappa referred to Vai as his "little Italian virtuoso" and was listed in liner notes as performing "stunt guitar" or "impossible guitar parts". He would later be a featured artist on the 1993 recording, Zappa's Universe. In 2006 he returned to playing music composed by Frank Zappa as a special guest on his son, Dweezil Zappa's 'Zappa Plays Zappa' tour, alongside old friends from his early years who he had performed with when Zappa was alive.

After leaving Zappa in 1982 he moved to California where he recorded his first album Flex-Able and performed in a couple of bands. In 1985 he replaced Yngwie Malmsteen as lead guitarist in Graham Bonnet's Alcatrazz with whom he recorded the album Disturbing the Peace. Later in 1985 he joined former Van Halen front man David Lee Roth's group to record the albums Eat 'Em and Smile and Skyscraper. This significantly increased Vai's visibility to general rock audiences, since Roth was in a highly public battle with the Van Halen members and Vai was favorably compared by many commentators to Eddie Van Halen.

In 1986 Vai also surprised everyone by playing with ex-Sex Pistols John Lydon's Public Image Ltd on their album Album (also known as Compact Disc or Cassette). Then, in 1989, Vai joined Whitesnake, replacing Vivian Campbell. But, when Adrian Vandenberg injured his wrist shortly before recording was due to begin for the album Slip of the Tongue, Vai played all the guitar parts on the album. Vai also played on the Alice Cooper album Hey Stoopid along with Joe Satriani on the song Feed my Frankenstein.

1990s and 2000s

Vai continues to tour regularly, both with his own group and with his one-time teacher and fellow guitar instrumentalist friend Joe Satriani on the G3 series of tours. Former David Lee Roth and Mr. Big bassist Billy Sheehan also joined him for a world tour. In 1990, Vai released his critically acclaimed solo album Passion and Warfare.

The song "For the Love of God" was voted #29 in a readers' poll of the 100 greatest guitar solos of all time in Guitar World Magazine.

In 1994 Vai began writing and recording with Ozzy Osbourne. Only one track from these sessions and "My Little Man" was released on the Ozzmosis album. Despite Vai penning the track he does not appear on the album. His guitar parts were replaced by Zakk Wylde. Vai's band members throughout the 1990s included drummer Mike Mangini, guitarist Mike Keneally and bassist Philip Bynoe. In 1994 Vai received a Grammy Award for his performance on the Frank Zappa song Sofa from the album Zappa's Universe.

Vai playing a twin-necked Ibanez

In July 2002, Steve Vai performed with the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra at the Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Japan, in the world premiere of composer Ichiro Nodaira's Fire Strings, a concerto for electric guitar and 100-piece orchestra.

In 2004, a number of his compositions and orchestral arrangements including some previously recorded pieces, were performed in The Netherlands by the Metropole Orchestra in a concert series entitled The Aching Hunger. In 2003, drummer Jeremy Colson joined Vai's group replacing previous drummer Virgil Donati. Vai's latest album, Sound Theories, was released in 2007.

Steve Vai released a DVD of his performance at The Astoria in London in December 2001, featuring the lineup of bassist Billy Sheehan, guitarist/pianist Tony MacAlpine, guitarist Dave Weiner and drummer Virgil Donati.

In February 2005, Vai premiered a dual-guitar (electric and classical) piece that he wrote called The Blossom Suite with classical guitarist Sharon Isbin at the Châtelet Theatre in Paris. In 2006, Vai played as a "special guest" guitarist alongside additional guest Zappa band members, drummer Terry Bozzio, guitarist-singer Ray White and saxophonist-singer Napoleon Murphy Brock in the "Zappa Plays Zappa" tour led by Frank's son Dweezil Zappa in Europe and the U.S. in the Spring as well as a short U.S. tour in October.

On September 21 2006, Vai made a special appearance at the Video Games Live concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, California. He played two songs with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra; Halo Theme, and a second song for the world premier trailer for Halo 3.

Steve Vai made an appearance at the London Guitar Show 2007 on the 28th April 2007 at the ExCeL Center. In late April 2007, Vai confirmed the release of his most recent record, called Sound Theories, on June 26. The release is a 2-CD set consisting mostly of previously released material that Vai rearranged and played in front of a full orchestra. Vai says that the project was a great joy because he considers himself to be a composer more than a guitarist, and he is happy to see music he has composed played by an orchestra that can play it well. A DVD followed the record but was not released until later that year. He guested on the Dream Theater album, Systematic Chaos, on the song "Repentance". The appearance was vocal rather than instrumental, as Vai was only one of many musical guests recorded. The song features contributions from many artists, with the aim of apologizing to important people in their lives for wrongdoings committed in their pasts. On August 29 2009 he appeared on stage with Dream Theater during the final show of their Progressive Nation tour at the Greek Theater, where he performed during the improvised jam with the other musicians on tour.

Video games

"Juice" was featured on the 1996 video game "Formula One" for the PlayStation.

In 1998, "Erotic Nightmares" was featured as the menu music in the video game WCW/nWo Revenge for the Nintendo 64.

Two different songs featuring Steve Vai's guitar playing appeared in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Both Yankee Rose by David Lee Roth and God Blessed Video by Alcatrazz are featured on the game's soundtrack.

In 2004, Steve Vai was featured on Xbox's Halo 2 (a game by Bungie Studios) Volume 1 soundtrack, performing a heavy rock-guitar rendition of the Halo theme, known as Halo Theme (MJOLNIR Mix). He also performed on the track Never Surrender. He later featured in the second volume of the soundtrack, where he performed on the track Reclaimer.

In 2008, Steve Vai's For the Love of God and Halo Theme (MJOLNIR Mix) were featured as downloadable tracks for the game Guitar Hero 3.

Movies

Steve Vai's music has been featured in a number of feature films, including Dudes and Ghosts of Mars. He appeared onscreen in the 1986 Ralph Macchio movie Crossroads, playing the demonically-inspired Jack Butler. At the film's climax, Vai engages in a guitar duel with Macchio, whose guitar parts were dubbed by Vai and also Ry Cooder, who played the initial slide work in the duel and Macchio's earlier performances in the film. The fast-paced neo-classical track entitled Eugene's Trick Bag with which Macchio wins the competition was also composed by Vai. The body of the piece was heavily based on Paganini's Caprice #5. He later borrowed the opening riff from the track Head Cuttin' Duel for a song called Bad Horsie from his 1995 EP Alien Love Secrets. Later the Crossroads duel reappeared on the 2002 album The Elusive Light and Sound, volume 1.

In 1991's Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey the introductory riff to KISS' God Gave Rock 'N Roll To You II, as performed by the Wyld Stallyns in the Battle of the Bands was performed by Vai. He also composed and performed the soundtrack to PCU (1994), and made contributions in 2001 to the score for John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars, performing on the tracks Ghosts of Mars and Ghost Poppin. His track "I'm the Hell Outta Here" can be heard during 1992's Encino Man in the scene where Brendan Fraser is taking a driving lesson.

His guitar is starring in the animated short film "Live Music".

Playing style


Vai performing in 2001

Vai is widely recognized as a highly technically advanced rock guitarist and has been described as a virtuoso in the world of guitar music . His 1990 album Passion and Warfare and the ballad For the Love of God in particular received a significant amount of press and are often cited by critics and fans alike as amongst his best work to date .

Vai's playing style has been characterized as quirky and angular, owing to his technical ability with the instrument and deep knowledge of music theory. He often uses exotic guitars; he plays both double and triple neck guitars, and is regarded as the first to use the 7-string guitar in a rock context.[4] Along with Ibanez, he designed a signature 7-string guitar, the Ibanez Universe in 1989, which provided the low-end rumble many guitarists were craving.

Equipment

Steve Vai at G3 in Milan, Italy, June 2004

Vai is an accomplished studio producer (he owns two: "The Mothership" and "The Harmony Hut" ) and his own recordings combine his signature guitar prowess with novel compositions and considerable use of studio and recording effects.

Vai also helped design his signature Ibanez JEM series of guitars. They feature a hand grip (fondly referred to as a "monkey grip") cut into the top of the body of the guitar, a humbucker-single coil-humbucker DiMarzio pickup configuration with several different types of pickup including Evolution, Breed and EVO 2. He also uses the Ibanez Edge and Lo-Pro Edge double-locking tremolo systems (the current production JEMs have the newer Edge Pro), as well as an elaborate and extensive "Tree of Life" inlay down the neck. Vai also equips many of his guitars with an Ibanez Backstop, a tremolo stabilizer that has been discontinued. Lately Vai has also equipped some of his guitars with True Temperament fretboards in order for his chords to sound completely in tune. Vai also has a 7-string model designed by him named Ibanez Universe. The Universe later influenced the 7-string guitars used by Korn and other bands to create nu metal sounds in the late 1990s. He also has a signature Ibanez acoustic, the Euphoria. Before Ibanez, he briefly endorsed Jackson guitars, but this relationship only lasted two years.

Steve Vai has also worked with Carvin Guitars and Pro Audio to develop the Carvin Legacy line of guitar amplifiers. Vai wanted to create an affordable amp that was unique, and equal in sound and versatility to any guitar amp he had previously used. Over his long musical career, Steve Vai has used and designed an array of guitars. He even had his DNA put into the swirl paint job on one of his signature JEM guitars, the JEM2KDNA, in the form of his blood. Only 300 of these were made. Nowadays he mainly uses his white "Evo", a JEM7V, and his "Flo", which is a customized Floral Jem 77FP painted white. They are both inscribed with their names in two places, mainly in order to allow him to distinguish between the guitars he uses onstage. "Flo" is equipped with a Fernandes sustainer system.

He also has a guitar named "Mojo" in which the dot inlays are blue LED lights. Additionally, he has a custom-made triple-neck guitar that has the same basic features as his JEM7V guitars. The top neck is a 12-string guitar, the middle is a 6-string, and the bottom is a 6-string fretless guitar with a Fernandes Sustainer pickup. This guitar was featured on the G3 2003 tour on the piece I Know You're Here. Vai's effects pedals include a modified Boss DS-1, Ibanez Tube Screamer, Morley Bad Horsie, Ibanez Jemini Twin Distortion Pedal, TC Electronics G-System, Morley Little Alligator Volume pedal, Digitech Whammy, and an MXR Phase 90/Phase 100 on the Passion and Warfare album. His flight cases are labeled "Mr. Vai", or latterly, "Dr. Vai". He used a number of rack effects units controlled via MIDI, but used a floor-based TC electronics G system instead for the Zappa Plays Zappa tour.

Philanthropy

In 2005, Vai signed on as an official supporter of Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit organization that provides free musical instruments and instruction to children in public schools throughout the U.S.A. He sits on LKR's Honorary Board of Directors.

Vai was a judge for the 3rd and 8th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists.

Vai is also the founder of the Make A Noise Foundation, which he started with his manager Ruta Sepetys . The foundation's goal is to provide funding for music education and programs for those unable to pursue music-related activities due to limited resources.

Favored Nations

Vai owns Favored Nations, a recording and publishing company that specializes in internationally procuring and maintaining recording artists. Favored Nations is separated into three sections, 'Favored Nations', 'Favored Nations Acoustic' and 'Favored Nations Cool (Jazz style)'

Artists with whom the Favored Nations label works or has worked include Eric Johnson, Steve Lukather, Neal Schon, Yngwie Malmsteen, John Petrucci & Jordan Rudess, Mattias IA Eklundh, Tak Matsumoto, Andy Timmons, Johnny Hiland, Tommy Emmanuel, Vernon Reid, The Yardbirds, Larry Coryell, Mimi Fox, Eric Sardinas, Dweezil Zappa, Dave Weiner, James Robinson and Johnny A.

Personal life

Vai is married to Pia Maiocco, former bass player of Vixen, who can be seen in Hardbodies[13]. Vai and Maiocco have two children; Julian Angel and Fire. In his spare time Vai is an avid beekeeper[14] - his bees regularly produce a crop of honey that Vai sells for his Make a Noise Foundation.

Band History - not including guest appearances

Current band members

Discography

Solo albums

Appearances on Zappa albums

Year Album Credit
1981 Tinseltown Rebellion Rhythm guitar, vocals
1981 Shut Up 'n Play Yer Guitar Rhythm guitar
1981 You Are What You Is Guitar
1982 Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch "Impossible Guitar parts"
1983 The Man from Utopia Guitar parts
1984 Them or Us Guitar
1984 Thing-Fish Guitar, vocals
1985 Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention Guitar
1987 Jazz from Hell Guitar
1988 Guitar Stunt guitar
1988 You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore Sampler Stunt guitar
1988 You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 1 Stunt guitar
1989 You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 3 Stunt guitar
1991 You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 4 Stunt guitar, vocals
1991 Beat the Boots I: As An Am Stunt guitar
1992 You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 5 Stunt guitar
1992 You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 6 Stunt guitar
1995 Strictly Commercial Guitar
1997 Have I Offended Someone? Guitar
1998 Cheap Thrills Guitar
1999 Son of Cheep Thrills Guitar, vocals

With other artists

Year Artist Album RIAA
1983 Lisa Popeil Lisa Popeil
1985 Heresy At The Door
1985 Alcatrazz Disturbing the Peace
1985 Public Image Ltd. Album
1986 Bob Harris The Great Nostalgia
1986 Shankar & Caroline The Epidemics
1986 David Lee Roth Eat 'Em and Smile Platinum
1986 Randy Coven Funk Me Tender
1986 Western Vacation Western Vacation
1988 David Lee Roth Skyscraper Platinum
1989 Whitesnake Slip of the Tongue 3x Platinum
1990 Rebecca The Best of Dreams
1991 Alice Cooper Hey Stoopid
1994 Whitesnake Whitesnake's Greatest Hits Platinum
1995 Ozzy Osbourne Ozzmosis (cowriter on one song) 2x Platinum
1996 Wild Style Cryin'
1997 Munetaka Higuchi with Dream Castle Free World
1997 Joe Satriani / Eric Johnson / Steve Vai G3: Live in Concert
1997 David Lee Roth The Best
1998 Gregg Bissonette Gregg Bissonette
1998 Al Di Meola The Infinite Desire
1999 Joe Jackson Symphony No. 1
2000 Whitesnake The Back to Black Collection
2000 Gregg Bissonette Submarine
2000 Thana Harris Thanatopsis
2000 Andrew Dice Clay Face Down, Ass Up
2001 Robin DiMaggio Blue Planet
2001 Billy Sheehan Compression
2002 Tak Matsumoto Hana
2003 Surinder Sandhu Saurang Orchestra
2002 Girls Together Outrageously (G.T.O) Solo in their cover version of "I'll Be Around"
2003 Eric Sardinas Black Pearls
2003 Steve Lukather & Friends SantaMental
2003 Hughes Turner Project HTP 2
2003 Shankar & Gingger One in a Million
2003 Yardbirds Birdland
2004 Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen G3: Live - Rockin' In The Free World
2004 Motörhead Inferno
2004 Bob Carpenter The Sun, The Moon, The Stars
2004 Mike Keneally Vai: Piano Reductions, Vol. 1
2005 John 5 Songs for Sanity
2005 Dave Weiner Live at Astoria DVD
2005 Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, John Petrucci G3: Live in Tokyo
2006 The Devin Townsend Band Synchestra
2006 Marty Friedman Loudspeaker
2006 Meat Loaf Bat out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose Gold
2007 Dream Theater (spoken voice only) Systematic Chaos
2007 Eros Ramazzotti
2008 Jason Becker [Collection]
2009 Spinal Tap Back from the dead

Soundtracks

Year Soundtrack Type
1986 Crossroads Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
1987 Dudes Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
1991 Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
1992 Encino Man Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
1994 PCU Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
1997 Formula 1 Original Video Game Soundtrack
2001 Ghosts of Mars Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
2004 Halo 2 Soundtrack Volume 1 Original Video Game Soundtrack
2006 Halo 2 Soundtrack Volume 2 Original Video Game Soundtrack
2008 Guitar Hero III: Virtuoso Track Pack Original Video Game Soundtrack

Compilations

Year Artists Compilation
1989 Various Guitar's Practicing Musicians
1993 Various Zappa's Universe
1995 Various In From The Storm
1996 Various Songs of West Side Story
1997 Various Merry Axemas: A Guitar Christmas
1997 Various Angelica
1999 Various Radio Disney Kid Jams
2001 Various Roland Guitar Masters
2002 Various Guitars For Freedom
2002 Various Warmth In The Wilderness Vol. II - A Tribute to Jason Becker
2004 Various Halo 2 Original Soundtrack
2004 Various The Sounds Of Nascar
2006 Various Monsters of Rock
2008 Various Zappa Plays Zappa
2008 Steve Vai Naked Tracks

Awards and Nominations

Grammy Winner

  • 1994 Best Rock Instrumental Performance "Sofa" from Zappa's Universe
  • 2001 Best Pop Instrumental No Substitutions [Steve Vai Producer/Engineer]
  • 2009 "Peaches En Regalia" – Zappa Plays Zappa

Grammy Nomination

  • 1990 Best Rock Instrumental Album Passion & Warfare
  • 1995 Best Rock Instrumental Performance "Tender Surrender" – from Alien Love Secrets
  • 1997 Best Rock Instrumental Performance "For the Love of God" – from G3 Live in Concert
  • 1999 Best Rock Instrumental Performance "Windows to the Soul" – from The Ultra Zone
  • 2001 Best Rock Instrumental Performance "Whispering a Prayer" – from Alive in an Ultra World
  • 2006 Best Rock Instrumental Performance "Lotus Feet" — lost to Les Paul & Friends's "69 Freedom Special"
  • 2008 Best Rock Instrumental Performance "The Attitude Song" — lost to Bruce Springsteen's "Once Upon a Time in the West"

Guitar Player Magazine

1995 Gallery of Greats

1995 Best Rock Guitarist (Tie with Jimmy Page)

1995 Best Overall Guitarist 3rd Place

1995 Best Experimental Guitarist (Tie with Buckethead)

1995 Best Metal Recording 3rd Place

1995 Best Overall Guitar Recording 2nd Place

1995 Best Metal Guitarist 3rd Place

1990 Best Rock Guitarist

1990 Best Overall Guitarist

1990 Best Guitar Album

1990 Best Metal Guitarist

1989 Best Rock Guitarist

1988 Best Rock Guitarist

1987 Best Rock Guitarist

1987 Best Overall Guitarist

1986 Best Rock Guitarist

Guitar World

1990 Most Valued Player (tie with Stevie Ray Vaughan)

1990 Best Album

1990 Best Rock Guitarist

1990 Best Guitar Solo (For the Love of God)

1989 Best Rock Guitarist

International Music Award Nomination

1990 Best Guitarist

Select Magazine (UK)

1990 Best Album (Passion and Warfare)

1990 Best Musician

1990 Sexiest Male

Guitar for the Practicing Musician

1993 Editor’s Choice Award

1990 Reader’s Choice - Guitar Album of the Year

1990 Best Instrumental Guitarist of the Year

1988 Rock Guitarist of the Year

1987 Hall of Fame

1986 Guitar in the 90’s Award

Kerrang (UK)

1993 Best Hard Rock Performance

1990 Guitarist of the Year

1989 Best Rock Guitarist

Young Guitar (Japan)

1991 Best Rock Guitarist

1997 Best Rock Guitarist

Rock Brigade

1996 Best Guitarist

1997 Best Guitarist

RAW

1990 Best Selling Album (No. 10)

1990 Best Selling LP Sleeve (No. 1)

1990 Best Selling Promo Video (No. 5, I Would Love To)

1990 Best Selling Promo Video (No. 7, The Audience is Listening)

1990 Best Sex Object (No. 6)

1990 Best RAW Cover (No. 3)

Player

1995 Best Hard Rock Guitarist - 2nd Place

Making Music

1990 Best Album

1990 Best Guitarist

1990 Best Musician

Metal Hammer

1990 Best Guitarist (Reader's Poll)

California Music Awards

2001 Outstanding Guitarist (nominee)

Golden Stag Awards Romania

2009 Excellence Prize


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