Source: Bravewords.com

Guitar legend STEVE VAI has posted a message and photo gallery following his recent TV performances in Shanghai and Beijing for The Spring Festival Global Gala. The broadcast aired on January 26th and will be repeated on February 1st at 7:35 p.m. China Standard Time.

Vai: “About six months ago my dear friend Greg Bissonette hooked me up with a very famous Chinese pop artist who was interested in having me play on one of his tracks. His name is Chyi Chin. In China, he has been a very popular artist for many years. I get offers like this occasionally, and I’m not opposed to participating if I like the song and feel that I can properly contribute. I listened to Chyi’s track, and I liked it. It’s a beautiful orchestral track. His voice is kind and sweet and they let me do whatever I wanted so I layered about 15 guitars on it. I very much like the way the final mix came out.

This year I was brought to China by Mavis Ma, a wonderful promoter there, and we performed in Shanghai and Beijing and the gigs were great. I had not been in China since 2005. I was told that I was the first American rock artist to play in Communist China back then. THE ROLLING STONES went there in 2004, but hey, they are not Yankee Doodles. We posted photos and videos of our stint there while on tour in 2013.

BTV is a huge TV network in Beijing, China. Once a year they put on this gigantic Spring Festival Global Gala where performance artists from various countries around the world come together to perform. I guess we made a good impression on the music community there because not only was I invited to perform with Chyi Chin on the track that I recorded with him but they requested that I perform ‘For The Love Of God’ and ‘Answers’ with their 40-piece orchestra. This show is broadcast to over 2 billion viewers around the world…eh, a drop in the bucket.

I thought it would be great to do this and was honored they asked. The American artist they invited last year was Yanni. Hmmm, I guess they were interested in quite the contrast this year. You have to understand how strict China is when it comes to who they invite to perform. I was told by Mavis that they have never – like NEVER – in the history of China, had a rock artist perform on a TV, and I was told this was a first.

Pia and I got the chance to spend close to a week in Beijing. It’s an extraordinary city. Huge!!! We took a lot of time to go out and check things out.

There was four days planned for this project. The first was rehearsal, the second was a stage rehearsal and run-through (this is where they filmed and recorded for the show), the third was a complete run-through with all the perfumers which took about three hours and there was an audience. The last day was a full performance with the filming and taping of the audience.

It all went fantastic and will be aired in February. Stay tuned.”

Check out Vai‘s photo gallery here.

Source: Bravewords.com
Guitar legend STEVE VAI is featured in an interview with Jeb Wright at Classic Rock Revisited. An excerpt is available below:

Jeb: You are releasing your new album on vinyl. Tell me why.

Steve: “There is something very romantic about vinyl. It is a kickback to your youth. You get the vinyl album and you get the album artwork. I used to just stare at album covers all day long. Then you would get something like LED ZEPPELIN III and I would listen to the album and play with the wheel; it was great. ”

Jeb: It really is sad that we have lost the art of the album cover. Jazz records would have so many liner notes that it was like reading a short book. The music would be over before you were finished!

Steve: “It was a nice experience. Now, you don’t get anything other than the download. And that’s okay, but it is a different listening experience. Years ago, I had my old turntable around, and my two boys were younger then. My one son, whose name is Fire, found the turntable and he didn’t know what it was. I told him what it was and ended up getting him a turntable. We got all of my records out and he would just listen to records all day; it was really great. I gave him all of my old Zappa records and we put one of them on and immediately there was just a different quality to it. There was such clarity and richness.”

Jeb: People who collect these new vinyl releases want that great sound, but they also want a great package. The Story of Light has a gatefold jacket and an eight-page booklet.

Steve: “It is a fun process and I know what it was like. People who lived the experience of listening to music know how exciting it is when one of your favorite artists is getting ready to release a new product. I remember, as a kid, just waiting and waiting for an album to come out, and then you get the album, and you open it up, and the more there was the better. I don’t know if it is because I’m not a kid anymore, but I kind of lost that thrill. Well, if TOM WAITS releases a record then I get a little bit excited. There are CDs that I get excited about, and I buy them, or I go download them. Like I said, there is something romantic about buying vinyl.”

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Vai recently released Life On The Road – Behind the Steve Vai Story Of Light Tour, filmed and edited by Chris Huber:

(Photo by Larry DiMarzio)

According to Bravewords.com, Guitar legend STEVE VAI has announced tour dates for South America in support of his latest album, The Story Of Light. The schedule is available below:

November
26 – Mexico City, Mexico – Metropolitan Theatre
28 – Guadalajara, Mexico – Diana Theatre

December
1 – Caracas, Venezuela – Anfiteatro Sambil
3 – Bogota, Colombia – Royal Center
5 – Santiago, Chile – Teeatro Caupolican
7 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Circo Voador
8 – Sao Paulo, Brazil – CrediCard
9 – Belo Horizonte, Brazil – Chevrolet Hall
10 – Brasilia, Brazil – Teatro Villa Lobos
12 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Grand Rex

Photo by Larry DiMarzio

Vai recently announced that he will return to the US in the fall for a 30-plus city for the The Story Of Light. Tickets and special EVO Experience packages, where fans get a look at what Vai experiences several hours before a show and get to hold an intimate and open group discussion with him, are already on sale and can be purchased at Vai.com.

Steve Vai tour dates:

October
16 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst
17 – San Diego, CA – House Of Blues
18 – Ventura, CA – Ventura Theater
19 – Las Vegas, NV – House Of Blues
20 – Chandler, AZ – Wild Horse Pass Casino
22 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre
23 – Flagstaff, AZ – Orpheum Theater
24 – Santa Fe, NM – The Lensic
27 – Kansas City, MO – Harrah’s Voodoo Lounge
29 – Columbia, MO – The Blue Note
30 – Springfield, MO – Gilloz Theatre
31 – Council Bluffs, IA – Horseshoe Whiskey Road House

November
1 – Des Moines, IA – Hoyt Sherman Place
2 – Bloomington, IL – The Castle Theater
3 – Joilet, IL – Mojoes
5 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
6 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room
7 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection
8 – Rama, ON – Casino Rama
9 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
10 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre
12 – Chattanooga, TN – Track 29
13 – Birmingham, AL – Workplay Theatre
14 – Mobile, AL – Soul Kitchen
15 – New Orleans, LA – House Of Blues
16 – Baton Rouge, LA – Varsity Theatre
17 – Little Rock, AR – Juanita’s
19 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
20 – San Antonio, TX – Backstage Live
21 – Austin, TX – Paramount Theatre
22 – Dallas, TX – House Of Blues
23 – Houston, TX – House Of Blues