Alive in an Ultra World

Amazon.com
Steve Vai introduces this ambitious live double-album thusly: "This is an indulgent compilation of music with many little guitar notes!" It's a typically self-deprecating, if telling comment. While big-guitar rock virtuosity has largely been consigned to cult status in his home country, Vai's worldwide audience thrives. That ongoing international love affair seems the inspiration behind this industrious collection. The 15 tracks were each inspired by a different country (spanning from the U.K. to central and eastern Europe, the Mediterranean to the Pacific Rim), then recorded live in '00 tour performances or, in some of the most gratifying cases, improvised in as little as 10 minutes at soundcheck jams. Instead of a slavish devotion to ethnic modalities, Vai wisely lets them wash over and seep into his own eclectic music. Indeed, many of the tracks weren't necessarily recorded in the country they pay tribute to, adding yet another savory dimension to the musician's challenging stew. The results of such an undertaking can't help but be mixed, but the high points here range from bold drama (the metallic swagger of the improvised "Giant Balls of Gold [Song for Poland])" to the anthemic majesty of "Blood and Glory (Song for the U.K.)" to the pyrotechnics of "Iberian Jewel (Song for Spain") to understated grace ("Burning Rain [Song for Japan])." Only rarely do Vai's compositions fall victim to nationalist musical clichés. Vai's playing is as free and playful as ever, his often prodigious and tortured constructions undercut by stage banter that refreshingly mocks the very trappings of stardom his musical dedication has earned him. --Jerry McCulley

Alive in an Ultra World,Steve Vai,Sony,Guitar Virtuoso,Hard Rock,Instrumental Rock,Pop,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop

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Alive in an Ultra World

Average customer rating: mesmerizing Steve takes us on another ride Vai the funmaker, bandleader, showmaster and cosmopolitan Vai writes beautiful songs The Zappa Influence shining through

Alive in an Ultra World Steve Vai Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music Shred | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Fire Garden The Ultra Zone Passion and Warfare Flex-Able Alien Love Secrets ASIN: B00005KHEY Release Date: 2001-06-19

Tracks:

1. Giant Balls Of Gold
2. Burning Rain
3. The Black Forest
4. Alive In An Ultra World
5. Devil's Food
6. Blood And Glory
7. Whispering A Prayer
8. Iberian Jewel

Tracks:

1. The Power Of Bombos
2. Incantation
3. Light Of The Moon
4. Babushka
5. Being With You (In Paris)
6. Principessa
7. Brandos Costumes (Gentle Ways)

Amazon.com

Steve Vai introduces this ambitious live double-album thusly: "This is an indulgent compilation of music with many little guitar notes!" It's a typically self-deprecating, if telling comment. While big-guitar rock virtuosity has largely been consigned to cult status in his home country, Vai's worldwide audience thrives. That ongoing international love affair seems the inspiration behind this industrious collection. The 15 tracks were each inspired by a different country (spanning from the U.K. to central and eastern Europe, the Mediterranean to the Pacific Rim), then recorded live in '00 tour performances or, in some of the most gratifying cases, improvised in as little as 10 minutes at soundcheck jams. Instead of a slavish devotion to ethnic modalities, Vai wisely lets them wash over and seep into his own eclectic music. Indeed, many of the tracks weren't necessarily recorded in the country they pay tribute to, adding yet another savory dimension to the musician's challenging stew. The results of such an undertaking can't help but be mixed, but the high points here range from bold drama (the metallic swagger of the improvised "Giant Balls of Gold [Song for Poland])" to the anthemic majesty of "Blood and Glory (Song for the U.K.)" to the pyrotechnics of "Iberian Jewel (Song for Spain") to understated grace ("Burning Rain [Song for Japan])." Only rarely do Vai's compositions fall victim to nationalist musical clichés. Vai's playing is as free and playful as ever, his often prodigious and tortured constructions undercut by stage banter that refreshingly mocks the very trappings of stardom his musical dedication has earned him. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

mesmerizing.......2007-03-30

i love steve vai.. and i think this is one of his best CDs.. i personally am biased towards live recordings anyway...

you don't have to be a rack fan to enjoy this.. it is just pure music from a musician who loves playing his instrument.. so easy to get lost in it..

you won't regret buying this..

Steve takes us on another ride.......2006-07-02

Here's the deal: CD#1 Very good, CD#2 not so good. But the last song, "Brandos Costumes" (Gentle Ways) is so beautiful, and it contains some of his best playing anywhere!!! His acoustic guitar playing is full of the best of everything we love about this man's music. I think Steve's eclecticism sometimes baffles many of his fans. Sometimes you have to sift through his records for the gems that are there. You may not like everything, but when he delivers, oh he delivers!!!!

Vai the funmaker, bandleader, showmaster and cosmopolitan.......2006-01-10

Whispering A Prayer is a wonderful piece.
Blood & Glory and Babushka are fun and great spins on their genres (English pomp and Romanian folk).
With Alive in an Ultra World, Steve Vai has offered us fine tributes to various genres that have enriched his music.
When that's said, we have to consider that this is a live album (or more correctly, an anthology of live recordings, tailored a bit in the studio), and much of the music arose on the spur-of-the-moment. It is not as thoroughbred as his recent studio albums, and therefore doesn't have quite the exhilarating precision and punch that they have.
But we get to know other sides of Steve Vai: Vai the funmaker (a true pupil of Frank Zappa), Vai the bandleader, who brings out the best in his bandmates, Vai the showmaster, who can bring his audience into a rave, and Vai the cosmopolitan, with his deepfelt respect for all cultures and religions.
So Ultra World certainly deserves five stars.
I'm just wondering: Why isn't this guy as acclaimed as, say, Bach? I don't think that Steve himself cares much about it, but there are a lot of people missing out on some great music. I guess, we just have to accept that there are very few people who take music seriously. Most people just want some tinkling in the background - to help them forget that they're alive and mortal (in an ultra world).
I would like to add that I found the Amazon review by Jerry McCulley (this one and others) very fine. Here's a rock reviewer who knows his stuff.

Vai writes beautiful songs.......2005-02-16

I love Steve Vai. As John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess put in the liner notes of their recent duo album, I thank God for Steve Vai's very existence. I can't stop listening to this album. All the songs are incredible - writing, musicianship, delivery, passion.

The highlight on the album is the seventh song, Whispering a Prayer. As far as I can tell, the song has been nominated for three grammys in successive years (the latest being Steve's performance on the most recent G3 live album). It is a disgrace to Grammy voters that this song has not won yet. This year, Brian Wilson's "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow" instrumental from "Smile" beat out "Whispering a Prayer." I love "Smile" but, c'mon that song was barely a song.

The moment that sums up the greatness of "Whispering a Prayer" best is the reaction of the Buenos Aires crowd at the conclusion of the song. This is the first time they've heard the song. Steve begins the track saying he's playing a new song for them. Whenever you go to a concert and hear that a new song is coming, what is your reaction? That's right - I hope it doesn't suck. Well, here, after Steve absolutely NAILS it (that pinch harmonic in the middle kills me every time), the crowd spontaneously bursts into the universal South American soccer chant - ole . . . ole ole ole . . . ole ole . . . ole ole - and holds it until Steve breaks in with "I think that was a good take." Understatement of the decade, Steve.

The Zappa Influence shining through.......2004-01-30

Excellent. The 1st disc is the typical, instrumental, cut throat, power guitar we've all fallen in love with. Disc 2 sounds more like the greatest artist of all-tme: Frank Zappa. You can hear the Zappa influence on this disc like when he played stunt guitar for Zappa in the early '80s. A must have for any Zappa or Vai nut. If Passion & Warfare is what you're looking for then don't pick this up.

Average customer rating:

Alive In An Ultra World (+1 Bonus Track) Steve Vai Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005LPEA Release Date: 2001-07-25

Tracks:

1. Giant Balls Of Gold
2. Burning Rain
3. Black Forest
4. Alive In An Ultra World
5. Devil's Food
6. Blood And Glory
7. Whispering A Prayer
8. Iberan Jewel
9. Power Of Bombos
10. Incantation
11. Light Of The Moon
12. Babushka
13. Being With You (In Paris)
14. Principessa
15. Brandos Costumes (Gentle Ways)
16. Maple Leafs (Japanese Bonus Track)

Album Description

Japanese edition of his 2001 double live album includes the bonus track 'Maple Leafs' and could include a guitar pick (initial pressing only). 2 CDs with 16 tracks.

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track: 'maple Leafs'. Includes a Limited Edition Guitar Pick for Initial Copies.

Average customer rating:

Alive In An Ultra World Vai , and Steve Manufacturer: Epic ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000LWIYT6

Average customer rating:

Alive in An Ultra World Steve Vai Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Visi ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B00005HWOD Release Date: 2001-04-11

Tracks:

1. Giant Balls Of Gold
2. Burning Rain
3. The Black Forest
4. Alive In The Ultra World
5. Devils Food
6. Blood And Glory
7. Whispering A Prayer
8. Iberian Jewel
9. The Power Of Bombos
10. Incantation
11. Light Of The Moon
12. Babushka
13. Being With You (In Paris)
14. Principessa
15. Brandos Costume (Gentle Ways)
16. Maple Leafs (Bonus Track)

Album Description

Japanese edition of his 2001 double live album includes the bonus track 'Maple Leafs' and could include a guitar pick (initial pressing only). 2 CDs with 16 tracks.

Average customer rating:

Alive in an Ultra World Steve Vai Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Vision ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music ASIN: B000BRI75W Release Date: 2001-04-11

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