The entries in Sony Legacy
Playlist series may be packaged as budget compilations, but they really do represent the best-known and most representative tracks by a given artist during their tenure with the company. Former
Frank Zappa sideman and guitar virtuoso
Steve Vai's volume is no exception to the standard. Included here are 12 studio and two live cuts from his long tenure with Sony and Epic. The cuts are arranged aesthetically rather than chronologically, making for a very solid mix. This one kicks off with “Erotic Nightmares” from his third album for the label,
Passion and Warfare. Also included here are “Lotus Feet,” “Salamanders in the Sun,” “Love Secrets,” and fine live versions of “You’re Here,” and “Whispering a Prayer.” In addition to these 14 cuts, there is also bonus CD-R material to boot. While fans may have everything here already, this set serves as an excellent, modestly priced introduction to
Vai’s solo work.
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Thom Jurek, Rovi