ARCHIVES VOL.4: VARIOUS ARTISTS

This album is part of the "secret jewel box", it contains selected tracks which Vai recorded with other artists. I think it's an important album, essential for anybody who'd like to understand Vai and his musical background. Most of the songs are really different from what he did on his solo albums ... but his style is easily recognizable and at the same time blends perfectly with the mood/style of the song.

Sweet Lady Luck: A straight rocker, recorded with Coverdale/Whitesnake.

The Rumble: Chick Corea, West Side Story ... no further comment necessary.

Ease: A collaboration with Bill Laswell ...

Home: Another one with Bill Laswell - with a Punk/80s edge to it.

Western Vacation: A song by Martin Schwartz/Bob Harris, with Tommy Mars on keyboards and Steve Vai playing a lengthy, magnificent solo.

Noah's Ark: From Gregg Bissonette's album "Submarine" ... groovy and funky!

Drifting: A wonderful Hendrix tune performed by a rock group + the London Metropolitan orchestra, with Vai's laid back and tasteful playing in the foreground, plus the wonderful voice of Corey Glover.

Bold As Love: Another Hendrix tune performed with the London Metropolitan Orchestra, this time with Paul Rogers on vocals.

There's Still Hope: A beautiful Jazzy song by Bob Harris. It's not standard Jazz though, more like a combination of Ray Charles and the Eagles.

Autumn in Nepal: Another song with Bob Harris, but totally different ... mostly instrumental, with Vai on the electric sitar and Tommy Mars on recorder, with the style being a cross between Jazz-Fusion and World/New Age music.

Feed My Frankenstein: A classic Alice Cooper track from his "metal phase" from the late 80s/early 90s.

Queen of the Night: Yes, it's that piece from the Mozart opera with the insane soprano vocal parts. It's recorded in a "rock group meets orchestra" setting, a bit like the Transiberian Orchestra. Hearing Vai duelling with the soprano vocals is really interesting!

Gone: A nice laid back track which Vai arranged for a singer named Lilly ... no weirdo soloing, it's all centered around the moody/emotional vocals.