Wednesday, October 15, 2008

My cover of Steve Vai's Answers on YouTube

Posted by Jon in • Guitar Noize YouTube Channel,

On saturday I finally got around to recording a video using my new Ibanez JS1000BP and one of Steve Vai’s recently released Naked Tracks (see my post about the release here). I chose “Answers” from Passion & Warfare not because it is easy but because it… no wait it was because it is easy. Lets face it, attempting a Steve Vai track in one take is no mean feat so I decided to take some of the pressure off by editing the track down into its original form in Ableton Live 7, the actual Naked Track has an extended solo section which would have meant a couple minutes of improvising which would have meant mistakes which would have meant all day recording takes…

I decided to promote this video a little on Facebook and Steve Vai’s forum and the next thing I know it had been favourited on Steve Vai’s YouTube channel. Now I’m no fool, I know Steve didn’t add this literally himself, but it is nice to know that one of Vai’s team thought it was worth the add and so far it has earned me the prestigious honour of “#30 - Most Viewed (This Week) - Musicians - Australia“ which apparently doesn’t take much as I’ve only had 539 views! But hey you’re going to watch it aren’t you? Great thanks, lets see what it takes to break into the 20’s!

I will be attempting more of Steve Vai’s tracks, it is great having the actual track to play over rather than a fan made recording with dodgy midi instruments, but I should really slot in a review of my JS1000 before that (which gives me time to decide on a track and learn it!).

UPDATE: I’ve risen to #14! ooh yeah, there’s no stopping me now!

UPDATE: I’ve hit number 10 with 1073 views!

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on 10/15 at 10:40 AM

Great work on nailing the Vai sound! Surprising how much of it comes through just from getting the vibrato right.

To be honest, my least favourite aspect of Vai’s work is the backing tracks (and maybe the excess use of mixolydian).

Pribek on 10/15 at 11:12 AM

Very cool Jon! Solid playing and you didn’t miss a lick when your strap fell there.

Jon on 10/15 at 01:05 PM

Pesky strap!! haha thanks guys. I actually find the backing tracks quite interesting, at least with a lot of the Passion & Warfare because of the amount of layering there is but I do prefer his live versions.

on 10/15 at 02:06 PM

Maybe you need to hike your strap up to Rusty Cooley (i.e. buried in your armpits) height!

Your comment about layering is I think what I like least about Vai’s backing tracks - although I’m not the biggest fan of the bass lines either. I do love the startling nature of his guitar composition though, and nobody can beat his on-stage ‘O’ face.

Jon on 10/15 at 03:29 PM

And don’t forget the fan! One of Steve’s most important props… if I only I had the hair I could have set up a fan for the video… ah bugger.

Ovidiu - GuitarFlame.com on 10/15 at 04:49 PM

Great performance, Jon! And congratulations for purchasing your new guitar, I bet it was one of the most pleasant moments, I know how I’ve felt when I bought my Variax! And congratulations for being added by Steve Vai to favorites, this must really give you a warm feeling, isn’t it? See, this kind of moments make the real value of such a site wink

Rock on!

on 10/15 at 05:24 PM

Very nice, Jon! Smooth bends and nice Vai-down-slides..

I apologise if you’ve covered this elsewhere, but what are you plugging your guitar into?

Jon on 10/15 at 05:57 PM

Gerry, I actually explain in the video exactly what I’m plugging into, did you skip the talking!? wink

It is just straight from my JS1000 into an Xotic Effects BB+ into a Vox AD50VT direct out into a Tapco audio interface and into my laptop. Hope that helps.

on 10/16 at 06:39 AM

Um.. well.. yes.. that is.. um.. I .. I had the volume down when you were talking - because at the time I was talking too.

I will listen again, out of respect smile

Jon on 10/16 at 08:08 AM

Haha, its ok Gerry I forgive you. Like my friend Ash said, “less talk more grind!“ I think I’ll stick to playing unless it is a product review! smile

on 10/16 at 12:41 PM

No no.. please don’t skimp on the verbiage - you’re very easy to read and your composition is impeccable!

Mike Delaney on 10/16 at 11:18 PM

I really enjoyed it, Jon! I’d love to hear you play it on an Abel Axe!!

Mike

Playa Azul Michoacan on 10/17 at 03:05 AM

My brother is a huge fan of Steve Vai. Thanks for another excellent article. Keep it up.
-M from Mexico

G-V on 10/17 at 04:29 AM

Pesky strap indeed. It bugs me when my strap falls down while trying to perfect a song. Good job Jon!

Regards,
Charlie
http://gear-vault.com

Sammy on 10/18 at 08:33 AM

NICE TONE! And great playing!

Oh and you suck -  for reminding me that I need A LOT of practice.  wink

Learn guitar on 10/20 at 12:47 PM

That was really fun, I enjoyed playing guitar since I was in high school. I love doing it on my spare times..

Jim Fogarty on 10/20 at 09:29 PM

Jon, Me likey lots!!!

Excellent playing there my man, that good in fact that I listened to it right through three times! Keep telling myself that one day I’d be able to play like that if I practiced hard enough, but then I wake up!

Best Regards
Jim

Jon on 10/21 at 08:01 AM

Wow thanks Jim! If only I hadn’t quit playing for 7 years after uni maybe I would be doing it as a career rather than just running a website! smile

Toronto condominiums on 11/22 at 07:01 AM

Cool….I really enjoyed it, Jon! I’d love to hear you play it on an Abel Axe!!

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