Steve Vai Puts on a Master Class in Charlotte
The Inviolate Tour Makes a Stop at the Fillmore
This past year I made it my musical mission to see as many legendary performers as I possibly could and when it comes to guitar legends, Steve Vai is right up at the top of my list. My first real exposure to Steve’s talents dates back to the 80s when he was the guitarist for David Lee Roth on the Eat ‘Em and Smile album and I have been a fan ever since.
Vai has recorded and played with the best of the best in the industry and has had a tremendously successful solo career as well. With his 1990 album Passion and Warfare, Vai cemented his spot at the top of the rock guitar world as he pushed the boundaries of what we thought was possible, inspiring many to pick up a guitar for themself. So when I saw that Steve was making a tour stop right here in Charlotte, I knew it was a show not to be missed.
Opening the show was another guitar great, Larry Mitchell. Larry is not only a tremendous guitarist that has played with the likes of Tracy Chapman and Ric Ocasek but is also a well-known producer, engineer, and Grammy award-winner. Although his set was short, Mitchell quickly engaged the audience with his personal style, layering textures and letting his guitar do the talking. If you ever have the chance to catch Larry perform, do it. You will not be disappointed.
inviolate
adjective
in·vi·o·late (ˌ)in-ˈvī-ə-lət
: not violated or profaned
especially : PURE
After a very short break, it was time for the master himself to hit the stage, and hit it he did. Vai got things rolling with “Avalancha” from the Inviolate record. What best exemplifies Steve’s playing is that it is pure, nothing gets in between him and his instrument once he starts to play. He truly is inviolate in that respect. His custom Ibanez guitar is almost like a third appendage as he becomes one with the beautiful guitar that is lit with blue lights on the fretboard. Exquisite in sound and soulful in tone, Vai takes us on a journey through his musical career with a passion and energy that can only be seen and heard and not described.
His set is a true rock and roll set, with designated solo time allotted for each of his very talented band members. It’s fun to see everyone else have a turn in the spotlight and probably gives Steve a chance to take a quick break. One of the much-anticipated highlights of the evening is when the crew brings out an instrument on a stand, covered in white cloth. The crowd begins to cheer because they know what is underneath it and what is coming up next. Vai would come out to uncover and reveal the unique three-necked guitar made for him by Ibanez, known as The Hydra. To see Vai play a guitar with one neck is a wonderful experience but to see him tackle this beast was mind-blowing as he took us to the edge and back with “Teeth of the Hydra.”
Throughout the set, Vai entertained us not only with his guitar skills but with some personal and comical anecdotes but seemed especially grateful to simply be able to perform for us. He thanked everyone for coming and for dealing with not only one but two rescheduled dates in order to be there. The feeling was mutual because it seemed that we had been waiting forever for Vai to come back to Charlotte. Closing out the regular set was an epic performance of “For the Love of God” complete with Danny G. singing an opera intro.
After thunderous applause, Vai returned for a one-song encore of “Fire Garden Suite IV-Taurus Bulba” much to the delight of the crowd. What a night! Vai was on fire all night, taking us through all the highs and lows that music should and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it.
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