FIRE GARDEN

VAI is a remarkable guitarist! He has various influences (ZAPPA, SATRIANI, HENDRIX...) but his playing is very unique. As far as technical ability and expressiveness is concerned VAI is the king of all IMO. His singing is also not bad only his songwriting is not always outstanding. His albums are a mixed bag - at least in a prog point of view.

"Fire Garden" is divided in "Phase 1" and "Phase 2" because it was meant to be a double album but 80min CD technology enabled to have it all on one CD. In "Phase 1" is an outstanding prog suite - "Fire Garden Suite". It's really interesting compositionally and in performance. It's based on ethno and oriental elements and in contrast to other tracks not entirely centered on guitar but also on piano in one part... On the other side we have some less interesting tracks in the style of SATRIANI like "Blowfish" for example. There are also some beautiful emotional songs - "Hand On Heart", "Brother" and "Warm Regards" (rhythm and accompaniment somehow remind me of Springsteen's "Streets of Philadelphia").

As a guitar oriented rock album this one deserves 5 stars but as a prog album decent 3 stars!