Vai’s work here is almost un listenable by itself. Sure, the pizza tastes good in the end, but was it really worth the time and brain cells to stare at it as it radiated in the microwave.
#GOD GAVE ROCK AND ROLL TO YOU STEVE VAI MOVIE#
This CD should have been called, “Steve Vai’s great little mini songs….and his crap from PCU.” I’m not saying that Vai is crap, I’m saying that listening to the vamps from the movie PCU by themselves is about as enjoyable as watching a frozen pizza go into the microwave. Vai finished in time for the movie’s premiere. Within 48 hours, Vai had reviewed the last scene several dozen times and based the guitar parts off of Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter’s finger positioning which were previously meant to sync up with the inferior work of the past sound man. The final song was scrapped in favor of Vai replacing it. For those unfamiliar with the term, this means that most of the film’s principle shooting was done. The interesting thing about this great track is the fact that it was done post production. In this case, it’s the song, “God gave rock and roll to you.” Vai added a brand new duel guitar intro and layers the beginning of the song a little more. Eventually, he did the soundtrack and created what would later be revered as the coolest remix of a Kiss song ever. This time around, Vai entered as a consultant for the film. Following the success of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, the filmmakers decided to bring back the hardrocking, heavy metal duo one more time. Vai rearranged Paganinni’s 5Th Caprice in a stunning fashion that wins Macchio’s character the duel.Īfter some more weird vamps for other movies comes the second big awesomeness. The track, Eugene’s Trick Bag, truly stands high above the rest. So here, in a high quality audio rip, lays the blazing hot and crunchy tone of Steve Vai’s devil bluesman, and the smooth vibrato of Ralph Macchio’s Steve Vai. I became a Vai fan because of the iconic guitar duel in Crossroads. These four tracks are the things that legends are made of. So for this piece of work, Ralph just learned the hand positions of Vai and the film was sped up to match the soundtrack’s true speed. We all know that Ralph can only do the swan kick and balance with the dude from Happy Days. For a sample of this, just type in Crossroads and Steve Vai into a youtube search and witness the incredible “duel.” In truth, the now famous duel was actually Vai dueling himself and slide guitar hero, Ry Cooder. Vai play’s the devil’s henchman and does a great job at acting the role. His mentor, old Willy Brown, has sold his soul to the devil and now Ralphie boy has to attempt to win it back by dueling none other than Steve Vai. Crossroads is the story of a young boy, played by Ralph Macchio, and his trek to get to the Mississippi Delta to learn a long lost Robert Johnson tune. The next four tracks, Fried Chicken through to Eugene’s Trick Bag, are Vai’s amazing work with the cult film, Crossroads. Comprising of that eccentric riffing and ridiculous tone that we have all come to love, Love Blood excels as an almost heavy metal song but, it's not too great, and not quite as memorable as Celluloid Heroes. Next comes Vai’s movie inspired song, Love Blood. Suddenly, a dozen different layers become apparent without being too discernable. Vai’s production skills emerge right before you hit the middle of this song. The song itself has a 1950’s tint and is really a beefy cover of a Kinks tune. Many of us have not actually heard Vai speak, but man can this guy sing. So let’s get down to business shall we.Ĭelluloid Heroes starts off with some light synth before Vai jumps in with his acoustic. No more ripping DVD audio files or watching Vai dueling himself in the film Crossroads for the umpteenth tine. Guys and girls who will watch the films just to hear his work will be greatly pleased. With the exception of the excellent cover version of Celluloid Heroes and the movie inspired song, Love Blood, Vai has created an album for die hard fans.
Most of the songs on this album are just simple, 30-60 second vamps and melodic meanderings to help further the onscreen action. The linear notes tell the reader exactly what to expect, “a bunch of fils and vamps designed specifically to match a certain scene.” Vai is telling the truth. Don’t let the huge track listening fool you, this isn’t a bunch of tunes strung together. This album shows Vai as the rock based composer he is. After creating a die hard fan base, where can a musician go? The name Steve Vai evokes a sense of isolated grandeur, a man of such amazing talent that he transcends the instrument itself. Review Summary: Good for some, unbearable for few.