I first encountered the talents of Steve Vai in 1984 when he released his Flex-Able album. I knew very little of his actual music other than he played with Zappa and word of mouth on the street. This was three years before Joe Satriani’s Surfing with the Alien which put guitar instrumental albums into the mainstream. I bought the record at Vinyl Edge in Houston and couldn’t wait to hear it. What came out of those speakers that day both delighted and confused me. This wasn’t what I expected. Weird sound effects, strange songs and a guitar that sounded more alien than accessible. Steve was definitely a different kind of player and composer that leaned more towards Zappa than Eddie Van Halen at this point. Ironically enough though it was in stepping into Edward’s shoes so to speak that most audiences became familiar with his unique talents. And of course in the Crossroads movie in 1986 Steve got screen time to exhibit his wild skills.
After Vai’s stints with Roth and Whitesnake he had garnered a global fanbase and released Passion and Warfare in 1990. The timing was perfect and his solo career was truly launched. Passion and Warfare was more of what I expected of him back in 1984 and like most guitar lovers we ate it up. I finally got to see Steve play live at Clapton’s Crossroads concert at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas in 2004. It was very much apparent that not only could he stand toe to toe with the masters featured that day but that in my opinion he had the greatest knowledge of the fretboard. Steve’s playing is effortless, passionate, ferocious, delicate and moving.
I had missed the chance at seeing Steve play the historic Paramount Theatre in Austin a few years earlier before the pandemic and when this show got scheduled I jumped at the chance. The Meet and Greet before the show was probably the best I’ve attended. Steve spent nearly a hour with a small group of us answering all of our questions and providing lots of additional insight into what inspires him and his art. Some of us got a unique tour of the stage and all of his equipment including the not yet unveiled Hydra guitar that Steve had been working on for years. After that we got to attend soundcheck which was interesting in watching Steve guide his band adding some last minute new touches for the show.
Steve and his band opened with Avalancha from the new Inviolate album. This was a great opener getting proceeds off in fashion. They followed this with Great Balls of Gold which is a heavy number and then Little Pretty which shows Vai’s more funky side. The band is tight and loose with an especially energetic drummer in Jeremy Colson. The songs Tender Surrender and especially Candle Power showcased Vai’s more delicate touch without a plectrum. The latter even evoked similar tones to local Austin guitar legend Eric Johnson. Other highlights of the set included Greenish Blues and Bad Horsie which is a slinky and particular nasty little ditty.
Steve unveiled his new Hydra guitar which combines multiple necks, effects and strings. It’s practically a string symphony all in one. Steve played the Teeth of the Hydra showcasing the instrument with combining bass tones with harp like notes and guitar rhythms. It was both hypnotic and jaw dropping. One of the many attributes of Vai that sets him apart is that he’s not only a virtuosic talent but a performer. Zeus in Chains from the new album was next and one of the best on Inviolate. Liberty and For the Love of God from Passion and Warfare finished the set in rousing fashion. The band finished the night with an encore of Taurus Bulba from the Fire Garden Suite IV, a majestic and mind blowing number which was fitting for a mind blowing night.
Oh and by the way, I picked up a cassette copy of Flex-Able from Cactus records in Houston recently. I get it more now…
