Steve Vai "Real Illusions: Reflections"

Steve Vai "Real Illusions: Reflections"

album cover

Steve Vai
Real Illusions: Reflections
The Story
Steve Vai's first new solo album in nearly five years, "Real Illusions: Reflections", features twelve highly anticipated tracks by Vai. The first volume in a three-part 'Concept Trilogy' features the legendary guitar virtuoso in fine form. As he himself describes it, ""Real Illusions: Reflections" is the first part of a multi-layered menagerie of vignettes based on the amplified mental exaggerations of a truth-seeking madman who sees the world... oh never mind." Vai is joined by long-time collaborators Billy Sheehan on bass and Jeremy Colson on drums, while Vai handles all the other instruments, oh, and some guitar playing! Mostly instrumental, there are four vocal tracks in the mix.
The Music
04:58 Building The Church Instrumental
04:51 Dying For Your Love Vocal
04:35 Glorious Instrumental
03:59 K'm-Pee-Du-Wee Instrumental
04:19 Firewall Vocal
06:52 Freak Show Excess Instrumental
06:44 Lotus Feet Instrumental
02:37 Yai Yai Instrumental
03:42 Midway Creatures Instrumental
04:26 I'm Your Secrets Vocal
08:08 Under It All Vocal
The Artists
Steve Vai Guitar, Vocals, Other Instruments, Production, Engineering, Mixing
Billy Sheehan Bass
Jeremy Colson Drums, Percussion
Jerry Hey Trumpet
Gary Grant Trumpet
Dan Higgins Sax
Larry Williams Sax
Bill Reichenbach Trombone
Charlie Loper Trombone
Gregg Bissonette Percussion
Stacy Ellis Background Vocals
David Kole Orchestration on "Lotus Feet"
Brian Beller Bass
Chris Opperman Piano
Dick Bakker Conducting on "Lotus Feet"
Co De Kloet Breath Of Life for "Lotus Feet"
Pia Vai Harp
Fire Vai Speaking
Laurel Fishman Speaking
Ruby Birman Speaking
Len Birman Speaking
Jeff Mallard Speaking
Michael Mesker Speaking
Thomas Nordegg Speaking
Neil Citron Engineering Assistance
Paul Bliven Engineering Assistance
Bernie Grundman Mastering
Hooshik Bayliss Art Direction, Photo Collage
Michael Lau-Robles Design
Andrea Cobb Cover Art
Larry DiMarzio Photography
Recorded at the Mothership (Hollywood) and the Harmony Hut (Encino) except "Lotus Feet", which was recorded live in Holland at three different shows during the performances of the "The Aching Hunger": one at De Oosterpoort in Groningen and two at the Paradiso in Amsterdam.

Mastered at Bernie Grundman Mastering.

Styling by Tony Sartino.