He is probably the greatest living rock guitarist. As many specialized magazines of international music have titled, without the “probably”. We are talking about Steve Vai who, in addition to playing the guitar in a diabolical way, is also a record producer, singer and, above all, composer. In his over 40-year career Vai has sold over 15 million records, won three Grammy Awards and recorded with music legends such as the genius Frank Zappa (he started playing in his band), David Lee Roth, Whitesnake and many more. .
One of the four Italian stages of his latest album “Inviolate” is Bari. Where, tomorrow, Sunday 3 July, he will perform at the Petruzzelli Theater in Bari. A concert that promises to be sold out already organized by Bass Culture exclusively for southern Italy. To promote his latest album, Vai has started a world tour that will touch many European cities and then continue in the United States and will end in 2023. Also at the Petruzzelli the American musician will be accompanied by the trusted Dave Weiner (guitar and keyboards), Philip Bynoe on bass and Jeremy Colson on drums. “After six years from my last series of concerts in Italy for Passion and warfare 25th Anniversary – he tells the” Gazzetta “Vai – I return with great emotion and pleasure to a country where I have my family roots” (my grandparents were from Dorno, in province of Pavia, ed).
To introduce the live set of Vai, Gianni Rojatti, guitarist, with DANG !, that is Marco Scipione on sax and Daniel Fasano on drums.
Go, how did the title «Inviolate» come about?
«Many of the friends know that in addition to being a musician and guitarist I follow and study spirituality. The term “Inviolate” and all that it means, began to take shape within me in 2016. Free from everything, untouched by violence, untouchable, non-violent and complete. Who we really are and what is the true essence of our spirit beyond our past, our faults, our mistakes. Even if all this, in the outside world, is almost invisible. This is “Inviolate” for me. Nothing can touch your soul ».
With such a “mystical” prologue, I ask you what was the criterion of the compositions?
“The way I write my music is very linked to the moment, but also to my past: they often come to me when I’m lying on the bed and waiting for my wife (the American bassist Pia Maiocco of the Vixen, who will celebrate her birthday tomorrow, ed) to exit. In those situations I get ideas or riffs that I record with my Iphone and then develop. The first song I started composing and recording of “Inviolate”, for example, was “Candle Tower”, the first notes of which I had kept for ten years in my mobile phone: I knew there was an entire song behind those fragments of music. “Teeth of the Hydra”, on the other hand, was the most incredible composition of the whole album, especially for the use of the special guitar used. I’m talking, of course, about the triple neck Hydra built by Ibanez, which features three guitars, 7, 12 strings and a 4 string, 3/4 length bass, and 13 harp strings, as well as a range of electrical components, including humbuckers, stands, single coils and a piezo. I’m sorry to disappoint my fans, but due to the shoulder surgery I will not use this guitar ».
Are there any new rock guitar talents?
“There are many that I appreciate, starting with Scott LePage and Tim Henson (both members of the Texan band Polifia, between rock and experimental hip-hop, ed), who represent a new generation with a great future ahead. When they tell me that they are the best guitarist in the world, I have some resistance to believe that this is true. Indeed, I believe it is not like that at all. It is all subjective, even as regards musical technique ».
Your studies are also linked to classical guitar, can we think of a next album with non-rock songs?
«In fact I was thinking of recording a record of classic pieces but, of course, revisited and rearranged in my own way. I would never be able to play them as they were written ».