Flex-Able Leftovers

by Steve Vai

Overview

Before his high-profile gigs with David Lee Roth and Whitesnake, Steve Vai served time as Frank Zappa's guitarist in the early '80s. And judging by Vai's first two solo albums released around this time, 1984's Flex-Able and Flex-Able Leftovers, he was heavily influenced by Zappa's songwriting and compositional skills. Although there is definitely a noticeable Zappa stamp on the tunes, Vai's own personality and awe-inspiring guitar chops are what really make these two solo albums so impressive. Also, Vai was one of the few guitar heroes of the '80s to stress the importance of songwriting over mindless soloing. While Flex-Able was a full album, Flex-Able Leftovers was originally just an EP of material that didn't make it onto the debut. When Flex-Able was released on CD in 1988, a few tracks from Leftovers were included as a bonus, yet fans have wondered all along if the full EP would ever be released on CD. Ten years later, their wish came true. Not only has the EP been re-released, but unreleased tracks from that era are included, making up a full-length album. Vai's over-the-top humor can be sampled on the profanity-fest "#?@! Yourself" and the goofy "So Happy," while "Massacre" and "Natural Born Boy" feature his immense guitar skill. And Vai's unique songwriting talent is evident on such tracks as "Burnin' Down the Mountain," "The Beast of Love," and "Bledsoe Blvd." The 1998 version of Flex-Able Leftovers is highly recommended to guitar freaks everywhere, as well as lovers of completely original and cutting-edge rock music. ~ Greg Prato

Product Details

Release Date:	12/08/1998
Label:	Epic
UPC:	0074646970324

Tracks

1. #?@! Yourself
2. So Happy
3. Bledsoe Bluvd
4. Natural Born Boy
5. Details at 10
6. Massacre
7. Burnin' Down the Mountain
8. Little Pieces of Seaweed
9. San Sebastian
10. The Beast of Love
11. You Didn't Break It
12. TH X-Equalibrium Dance
13. Chronic Insomnia

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Steve Vai   Primary Artist,Vocals,Synthesizer,Piano (Electric),Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background),Sitar,Guitar
Chris Frazier   Drums
Bob Harris   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Larry Crane   Lyre,Vibraphone
Deen Castronovo   Drums
Robin DiMaggio   Drums
Randy Coven   Sound Effects
Stuart Hamm   Bass
Tommy Mars   Violin,Vocals,Keyboards
Pete Zeldman   Percussion
Lill Vai   Sound Effects
Suzannah Harris   Vocals (Background)
Joe Despagni   Sound Effects
Larry Kutcher   Vocals

Technical Credits

Steve Vai   Composer
Bob Harris   Composer
Eddy Schreyer   Mastering
Joe Kearney   Composer
Laurel Fishman   Composer
Suzannah Harris   Composer
Larry Kutcher   Composer