Shortly after finishing the third song in his magnificent set, Steve Vai told the crowd at The Water Street Music Hall, “The theme for our show tonight is reflected in the words of the immortal Frank Zappa, ‘it’s f@#kin great to be alive!'” After an evening in the presence of Steve Vai, it sure did feel great to be alive!
Steve Vai has a well earned reputation as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. His technique is legendary and to witness how the man manipulates the fret board on both the acoustic and electric guitar is simply mind-boggling.
Nonetheless, Vai is much more than a guitar virtuoso, he is engaging and witty, and has no fear of sharing the spotlight. Vai’s self-deprecating humor was an important element in a show that was plagued with minor glitches and a temporary power outage during “The Ultra Zone.”
Some of Vai’s stage antics, including a hilarious interaction with his drummer, were reminiscent of the types of things that Frank Zappa would do onstage. They added a comic element to some serious guitar playing.
One of the things that was unusual about Vai’s show, was that while he was playing the softer melodic material, the crowd was eerily silent. It was cool to listen to a ballad without some drunk moron yelling out some nonsensical expression.
Vai’s broad smile and genuine appreciation for his audience was evident all night. I don’t think I have ever seen a guy as talented as Steve Vai act so humble, especially considering the room was likely filled with guitarists that wished they had half the talent Vai has in his pinky finger and could only dream of being able to play at Vai’s level.
One of the funnier moments in the show was when Vai invited a young man onstage to help compose a song. The young man was wearing a Gibson shirt and Vai joked, “we have an Ibanez shirt on the bus I could give you to change into.” Watching Vai adlib with the participant from the audience was fantastic.
The show contained many unique elements, including a harp solo from one of the band members. I can honestly say that I have seen at least one thousand concerts and this was the first time I have seen a harpist and from what I have read and witnessed, Deborah Henson-Conant is the best.
Vai should be on every fans bucket list of concerts to see, he is an amazing live performer. His show has some great visual elements that augment some of the best playing you will ever hear.
Setlist:
Racing the World
Velorum
Building the Church
Tender Surrender
Gravity Storm
Dave Weiner Acoustic Guitar Solo
Weeping China Doll
The Moon and I
The Animal
Whispering a Prayer
The Audience Is Listening
Deborah Henson-Conant Electric Harp Solo
Rescue Me or Bury Me
Sisters
Treasure Island
Salamanders in the Sun
Pusa Road
Drum Solo
The Ultra Zone
Frank
Build Me a Song (with Sam in the Gibson Shirt)
For the Love of God
Encore:
Taurus Bulba
All Photos by BackstageAxxess.com Correspondent Dave Jones.
We would like to thank Ryan Romenesko from Jensen PR for allowing Backstageaxxess to review the show.
