Customer Reviews

The 7th Song: Enchanting Guitar Melodies-Archives Vol.1

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am one of Steve's greatest fans. I've listened to all of his solo
work and this one is the best. Five stars doesn't do it justice. It
gets "70 x 7!" I agree with jan, this music is definitely
from another galaxy--a galaxy of peace, love, passion and mysticism. I
will cherish this the rest of my life.

Here are Steve's words about
this CD located inside the cover with additional notes on each song as
well:

"Traditionally, I have made the 7th song on all my CD's
the mellifluous guitar ballad that serves the melody on a silver
platter. In numerology, the number 7 is shrouded in mystique. In a
record sequence, it has always felt like the sweet spot. These songs
are more devotional in nature than technical. They are a reflection of
one man's desire to expose a glimmer of the depth of his longing for
spiritual communion."

Steve is simply a master. You will not be
disappointed with this. There are surprises in store for you; one at
the end and if you are really lucky, two. I got both. Thank you Steve
and good luck with your journey. I think you are on the right track
and everyone that is listening with their heart to your passionate,
emotional and continually expanding virtuoso music.

Just wanted to answer Reviewer:"homedecaramel" and his question as to who Melissa refers to from the song titled' "Melissa's Garden".

Melissa was the daughter of close friends of Steve Vai.
She passed away 5 years ago at a fairly young age due to ovarian cancer. Melissa's parents built a beautiful garden as a remembrance of her. Melissa had a wonderful spirit and her spirit lives on as is apparent in Steve's beautiful tribute and in Melissa's Garden.

Steve has always used the 7th song on his CDs for the greatest, most emotional ballad. This is a collection of all the 7th songs that Steve has released. For those that already have all of Steve's CDs, this one has 3 bonus tracks, which are really good. For those that would be their first time listening to Steve Vai, THIS is the CD to get to know Steve's greatest music.

I know Steve Vai as being a great guitarist, but this is the first album by him I have listened too. I've listened to the stuff he's done with David Lee Roth and I liked all that, but listening to this it seems to me, Roth held him back. These songs, (all instrumental) are so melodic and heartfelt. They're spectacular.
Here the songs:
1.For the Love of God-5/5-Phoenomonal to listen to. The guitar work is extraordinary.
2.Touching Tongues-4/5-The only reason for the for the 4 is the 20 or so second vocal, which is unneeded
3.Windows to the Soul-4/5-Considering the lack of vocals, it's amazing how heartfelt this sounds.
4.Burnin' Down the Mountain-2/5-Not that great. Guitar sucks on ths one. Mediocre at best.
5.Tender Surrender-5/5-Great solo, one step behind amazing.
6.Hand on Heart-5/5-In the beginning it sounds like "Since I Don't Have You" But then it gets better.
7.Mellisa's Garden-4/5-There are times when this song sounds like the theme of a pre-school oriented cartoon. It seems to be very experimental.
8.Call It Sleep-4/5-Sounds a lot like his DLR stuff (Yankee Rose,
Shyboy) but still good.
9.Christmas Time-5/5-Not exactly the ideal christmas anthem, but pretty cool.
10.The Wall of Light-3/5-Tpp short, doesn't stand out.
11.Boston Rain Melody-5/5-Very cool.

A-.

Steve Vai... one of the great rock guitarist. Rockin' guitar is what he does. And Oooooooh, he does it so well. Man, what great, great long instrumental ballads here and what energetic rockin' riffs... one after another, and then another. This kinda stuff is what rock and roll is about. I say let him keep playing as long as he wants. This album shows that he continually stands on his tradition of wacky, far-out, finger burning guitar playin'. Steve Vai comes back year after year with more music that extends his rock style... but NOT SELLING OUT to other markets. Yeah, he Rocks!

Steve Vai ROCKS his music and his few lyrics... UNLIKE most contemporary "rock" bands that try to reach the punk, urban, or new country music markets. I'm glad that Steve Vai doesn't wimp out with each additional album like many newer rock groups do. I see `The 7th Son' as a great CD to have for a very not-so-mellow rock party music, hopefully leading to introductions & opportunities to get someone else hooked on Steve Vai.

Lastly, What ever YOU say about Steve Vai... I guarantee that NONE OF THE CRITICS out there could even come close to playing any guitar like he does - or any of the 27 instruments that he usually plays on each of his albums. Steve Vai is so versatile, playing so many instruments, but just as versatile in composing the many varied styles of rock music that he plays. Maybe his CRITICS (at least on Amazon) are in the WRONG music department... maybe they should go over to the Easy Listening or the Wimpy Rockers music section. I guess they're just jealous.

Oh Yeah, I almost forgot... Does Steve Vai's 7th Son Rock?!!! Oooooooh Yeah.

This entire album is quality, beginning to end. This was when Vai played music like it was an art, without annoying alien gimics. This is the best Vai album in existence, get it, hear it, love it, keep it!

Have you thought Steve couldn't get any further?Here's the proof!The Song Melissa's Garden is the most harmonic thing I've ever heard...It really blasts you away!The two other songs are amazing as well.I am afraid of what Steve will do in the next ten years...

The Steve Vai that I wish was evident on every record. Eliminate the weird Zappa silliness and the vocal sludge and the real Steve Vai comes shining through.

A unique guitar voice.

This and Alive in an Ultra World is ALL of the solo Vai you will ever need. I love Vai and his performance on the The Ultra Zone tour was the best show that I have ever seen -- and I've seen a LOT of them. Can the silliness and enjoy a spiritual experience.

"The 7th Song" stands as a collection of Vai's most beautiful and touching ballads.Focusing more on passion rather than technical wizardry (which is still there,anyway)this record is filled with sparks of emotional pleasure, brilliance and above all, pure magic. As the music flows, you will find yourself completely relaxed, slowly becoming a part of each and every song, and at the same time attempting to understand the complexity behind this amazing artist's thoughts and goals.Each song has a realm, which you are free to visit as soon as you open your mind and allow yourself to dwell through it, just listening. Yes, it's that great. Get it.

(Standout tracks: All)

I was pretty excited to hear this compilation -- I've always been admirer of Steve Vai and his famous instructor, Joe Satriani. However, I found myself a little disappointed. Granted I'm not quite as religious about his music as some of the other reviewers. I still feel that "Passion & Warfare" was a true gem, and "Fire Garden" was pretty good, too. "Ultra Zone" wasn't as strong as an _album_ overall.

That said, like any Vai work, there are always true moments of brilliance whether it be in melodies or progressions or the guitar-gymnastics that are part of his trademark. "7th Song" didn't seem to really hold up as album -- some of the songs that I was less familiar with I found to be too drawn out and had too much 'noodling'. Sometimes, good songs are songs that get right to the point; I would feel like Vai was about to make his point, but then he just kept on. And like most other guitar-gods (see: Satriani), Vai would do better to not sing.

"Hand On Heart" and "For The Love Of God" are my favorites in this disc, and the new "Boston Rain Melody" is pretty good, too. "Warm Regards", the last track from "Fire Garden" is also included as an add on to the last track but not listed.

my 3 star rating here is a 'gentleman's C' -- you want something A+? check out "Passion & Warfare"