It is nearly the 25th Anniversary of Steve Vai's Passion and Warfare Album (where has the time gone?). Passion and Warfare at the time and still today is a groundbreaking and crucial album, so I thought it was time to write a few thoughts about it, and also hear what your thoughts are on this seminal guitar album as well.
For the love of god
Now, there is no denying that I could easily write a thesis on the album, but I will try and keep it consise. I would also say, that there is probably a fair amount of bias in my opinions of this album, but I will try and be as objective as I possibly can.So, I will get this out of the way straight away......personally for me it is probably one of the most important albums I own and one of the most important 'guitar' albums out there. It is also without doubt Steve Vai's greatest masterpiece, which is amazing given what he has written subsequently, but I feel nothing comes close to the perfection of composition that is Passion and Warfare.Now, I know it isn't for everyone, and I think that is the point.Passion and Warfare is NOT in my opinion a guitar excess album, it is a piece of compositional art, from an artist (who's brush is the guitar) not afraid to explore the medium and push boundaries of the medium. If you read Steve's accounts of the creation of this album, one of the most crucial points seems to be that it was made without (at that time) any constraints (or at least not that many) from record companies.Steve was earning money (and experience) firstly from Frank Zappa and then as Dave Lee Roth's hired gun (Eddie Van Halen replacement!). With borrowed equipment and the ability to work and jam with great musicians (who helped out on the recording process), Steve, also had a backlog of great material he had (at that point) been working on for most of his life. So, there was in one sense, no pressure on this album, at least commercially. Steve himself stated that he never expected to sell a single copy.Steve (and he has said this himself) made an album for himself, pushing and exploring his own boundaries.
Stunt guitar
I feel when considering this work, you have to consider that it is not a 'guitar instrumental' album in it's truest sense, it is a compsitional work of creative art, pushing boundaries of music composition (e.g. Alien Water Kiss) and not just guitar histrionics. I feel that one needs to consider that the 'stunt' guitar is part of the narrative of the album, it simply forms part of the entire artwork.To fully understand it, and what I believe Steve was trying to acheive, you need to consider Passion and Warfare from a structural and compositional perspective. I believe that is where it's success lies and what has not only made it stand the test of time, but has propelled Steve to the guitar diety that he is.From the beginning of album, kicking off with Liberty, you are drawn in to a strong narrative form, guiding you through Steve's inner thoughts and feelings at the time. Each composition telling you it's story and each indvidual story forming part of an overall cohesieve narrative. Unlike many of it's predecessors and those whom came after, it is NOT, as many guitar albums (even the good ones!) are, some one noodling away over a relatively static backing track, trying to use flash and gimmricky to lure you in...all form without substance.This is also something early Satriani, with Surfing with the alien and (some of) Flying with a Blue Dream was able to do.....guitar compositional story telling.It is this story telling, which I believe listeners are drawn to and keeps you going back for the repeat listens, you want to hear these stories again and again, because there is depth and nuance to them. Perhaps, lacking in later works (controversial I know!).
"I am that..." - Steve Vai
Passion and Warfare takes you on full in the face and tells you it's story. The greatest thing about Steve (and I have been fortunate enough to study on his course at Berklee....and also fortunate to gain his Berklee Scholarship) is that his message is to be individual, to find your own voice on the instrument, to write and produce the music YOU love!It doesn't matter what it is or what form it takes,.What matters is that it is personal to you and has all of your internal energy in it. If it has these elements, then whatever your art, it will be good, even if it is just to you and it is good to you then you have realise thati it will be good to other people. I mean think about it, think of the music, art, photography, films you like, you like them and so do other people, these are the people who are on your wavelength, so don't be surprised that in the world/universe that if you produce something from your heart, others will like it.I really think that message is lost in this day and age and probably the reason we will never really experience the glory years of 80's guitar instrumentals.....there aren't enough unique voices willing to explore their art at all costs.You can purchase Steve Vai's Passion and Warfare here (should you not own it already....shame on you!)What are you thoughts? What are you favourite tracks?Top 3 Favourite tracks
- The Animal
- Answers
- For the love of god
EnjoyPeaceNeil