Taliwakker said:
maybe you should get your hearing checked (especially if you rank Tony MacAlpine higher than Vai).
My previous statement concerning MacAlpine, was to acknowledge that he was just one of the many guitarists that Vai had nothing over. And technically, it's very accurate - Steve has nothing over Tony when comparing skill. That doesn't imply that I rank Tony higher.
I also think that Vai does a great job of creating great musical landscapes that i don't necessarily get from a lot of guitarists......maybe you should drop some acid and put on Passion and Warfare.
The musical landscapes you speak of are often (not always) submerged in seething fretboard stunts and tasteless keyboards; suffering immensely from his over-the-top wizardry.
The "Passion and Warfare" disc has received quite a few spins in my player - as it always will. But, it suffers from his occasional and often overdone nonsense. Crafting unique "noises" - imitating martian voices for example - with your electric guitar is not music.
However, being the fan of Vai that I am, I am more than willing to point out the work he has offered that is devoid of flaws.
never heard the songs Tender Surrender, Windows to the Soul, Frank, For the Love of God, Whispering a Prayer?.....are those statements not passionate enough for you
....maybe its fake passion and i'm just falling for it. Is Satch only being passionate when he's playing ballads?
And how about "Feathers", "Brandos Costumes (Gentle Ways)", "Boston Rain Melody", and "Rescue Me Or Bury Me"? I've heard everything he has to offer, Tali. Generally, he has the right idea every now and then, but will ultimately lack in the end due to his ego. The majority of those songs - including "For the Love of God" - are usually victims to senseless self-indulgence. Which is a shame, because the impact of "For the Love of God", when it first hits the speakers is fantastic: the intro is powerful, soulful, and could be considered the epitome of "making love" to your guitar. But, as I said, that orgasmic and passionate experience endures only briefly.
Joe Satriani is not limited to exhibiting his passion during ballads, but through quite a few of his other songs as well. He prefers to focus strongly on his songwriting rather than blindly churning out notes at 200 mph.
This is subjective, but Satch's guitar tone is among one of the best. Vai could have learned a few things from his mentor's, "Surfing With the Alien".
Look, I'm not a blind fanboy of Vai's who claims to love everything he's done but some of the statements made about being a pure wanker just don't sit well. When i think guitar wank i think of guys like Rusty Cooley, George Bellas and a majority of the 80's Shrapnel crew who just run out one arpeggio after another.....like a lot of MacAlpine's earlier stuff.[/QUOTE]
I don't take you as a blind fanboy of Vai (aren't you huge fan of Holdsworth?) - and I will most certainly agree with you on Rusty Cooley and George Bellas. Vai has a keen sense of creativity, and his unusual arrangements are purely unique. But, if I go on I'll just be repeating myself.
