Steve Vai Mystery Tracks Archives Vol. 3 CD

Personnel: Steve Vai (vocals, various instruments); Mike Keneally (guitar, keyboards); Mats Oberg (piano, keyboards); TM Stevens (bass, background vocals); Scott Thunes (bass); Morgan Agren (drums); Jonathan Haas (percussion).
Producers: Steve Vai, Davitt Sigerson, Robin Dimaggio.
Recorded between 1991 & 2002. Includes liner notes by Steve Vai.
"Essence" was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.
Personnel: Steve Vai (guitar, tambourine, sampler); Devin Townsend, T.M. Stevens (vocals); Mike Keneally (guitar, keyboards); Marc Ziegenhagen (keyboards); Robin Dimaggio (drums, drum programming); Deen Castronovo, Morgan Ågren (drums); Jonathan Haas (percussion).
Recording information: Mothership Studio, Hollywood, CA (11/07/1991); The Ritz, NY (11/07/1991).
Arrangers: Joel Thome; Steve Vai.
Mystery Tracks Archives, Vol. 3 is Steve Vai's third installment of his planned ten-disc rarities retrospective, this time out collecting various hard-to-find Japanese bonus tracks, compilation cuts, and otherwise unavailable promotional tracks. Included is an edited version of the notorious "Kill the Guy With the Ball," retitled here "Speeding," and like most of the other tracks that appeared on import versions of Vai's albums, it's the type of shredding that folks have come to expect from Vai. The version of "Sofa" done at the Zappa's Universe concert, long out of print, is also included here. The most interesting tracks, however, come from some of the instrument demonstration cuts done for companies like Korg and Roland. On these tracks, Vai was inspired by (and constrained by) the sounds available to the instrument he was showcasing, and it leads him down a different path than that generally represented on his albums. There's far less bombast in these understated performances, and they really give a better indication of what a well-rounded player Vai can be. "Maple Leafs," a track featuring just Vai and Mike Keneally on guitars, is another understated beauty. Don't worry. There's still plenty here that will thrill fans of Vai's über-guitar technique (just try "Opposites Attract, Pt. 2"), but there is more to Steve than that. Fans will be quite pleased to finally have these tunes all gathered together in an easy-to-find package. ~ Sean Westergaard
Though to the uniformed Steve Vai is known solely for his incredible electric guitar "shredding," fans of the musician recognize him as the most musically innovative and wildly eclectic figure to emerge from the '80s metal scene. MYSTERY TRACKS: ARCHIVES VOL. 3 is the third in a series of discs collecting Vai's "golden scraps"-- unreleased tracks, demo recordings and other ephemera. For some artists a collection like this might signal a collectors-only pile of not-ready-for-prime-time music better left on the trash heap, but in Vai's case it's just the opposite.
Steve Vai is at his best when left to his own devices, and here the listener is treated to the sounds of an immensely talented musician doing what he loves most with absolute freedom. From crazed, death-defying metal chops-fests ("Just Cartilage") to the gorgeous "Tears In Heaven"-style acoustic ballad "Selfless Love," Vai performs with a jaw-dropping combination of unbridled enthusiasm and pure technique that will send even skilled musicians scurrying for the practice room.