Lords of Karma: A Tribute of Vai/Satriani (Street Date: January 29, 2002)- Featuring current/former members of Aerosmith, Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne Band, Smashing Pumpkins, Dokken, Badlands, Dangerous Toys, Queensryche, Rough Cutt, Lynch Mob, Night Ranger, Grand Funk Railroad, and TNT, this tribute was the first of the genre to pay homage to two artists on the same disc. Featuring highlights from both Steve Vai and Joe Satriani's solo and group catalogs, this tribute has become Versailles Records' best selling title since its release in 2002.
Track Listing:
1. Always With Me, Always With You- Bruce Kulick
2. Surfing With the Alien- Jake E. Lee
3. Echo- Jimmy Crespo/Dave Ragsdale
4. Summersong- Brad Gillis
5. Friends- Neil Zaza
6. Yankee Rose- Enuff Znuff
7. Shy Boy- George Lynch, Tony Harnell, & Jason McMaster
8. The Attitude Song- Richard Kendrick
9. Tender Surrender- Tony Janfone, Jr.
10. Tobacco Road- Corey Craven
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reviews
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Guitar One- May, 2002 Review of Lords of Karma: A Tribute to Vai/Satriani
What makes Satriani and Vai so revered is their inventiveness. So paying tribute to their accomplishments by merely reproducing their licks without taking the compositions in new directions- as is the case on this disc- seems a bit weak. Its not as if the original versions are in short supply. (Six of the ten tracks are culled from Surfing with the Alien and Eat 'Em and Smile.) Regardless, the likes of Jake E Lee, Brad Gillis, and George Lynch reconfirm their guitar-hero stature as they interpret the riffs of two esteemed peers while playing to prerecorded backing tracks laid down by Richard Kendrick.
Moment of Truth: "Tender Surrender" (1:56 - 3:48) Tony Janflone Jr. passionately executes a wide range of Vai-inspired tricks including huge bends, smooth legato phrasing, wide interval jumps, and blinding scalar runs.
- Bob Keelaghan
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Metal Sludge.com Review of Lords of Karma: A Tribute to Vai/Satriani-
A TRIBUTE TO VAI/SATRIANI "Lords Of Karma"
by bastard boy floyd
Cover: 3 Summer Songs out of 10.
I have no idea what the hell this is. Some sort of fancy symbol or something.
It doesn't stand out and there are no guitars anywhere to be seen. This is
a tribute for 2 guitarist, maybe some fucking guitars somewhere would have
been nice. Maybe I'm just too simple minded.
Booklet: 6 Attitude Songs out of 10
One thing Versailles Records has is at least quality booklets. It has notes
on all the artists on this CD along with little pictures. It's nothing too
fancy, but it's easy to read and gives you an idea of what you're going to
be listening to.
Songs: 5 Copycats out of 10.
There are 5 songs for Satriani and 5 songs for Steve Vai. I'd have to say
the Satriani side is a bit better. Bruce Kulick, Jake E Less and Brad Gillis
are some of the guitarist who tackle the Satriani stuff. Most of it is note
for note and sounds good enough. On the Vai side, I just want to ask who decided
that Enff Z'Nuff should cover "Yankee Rose?" Chip Z'Nuff sings it
and makes Lemmy sound like Steve Perry. It's basically a sloppy version of
"Yankee Rose" and it doesn't even sound like Enuff Z'Nuff. And why
is "Shy Boy" and "Tobacco Road" on this CD when that wasn't
even a David Lee Roth or Steve Vai song to begin with? It's a cover of a cover.
The Vai side has 3 David Lee Roth songs and 2 Steve Vai songs. Kind of like
a one legged man in a rodeo, totally pointless. If you're going to do a tribute
to Steve Vai, at least do Steve's own work.
Comments: The problem I have with tributes like this is it really isn't a tribute, it's just other guitar players playing the same shit Vai & Satriani did. They don't really add any new interpetations or make the songs their own. They just copy the solos and stuff note for note. If I wanted to hear that, I'd buy the original. But we got sent this for free, so in that case I'm not out any cash, so what do I care?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Reviewed by Nick Martinelli
The Shred Zone www.theshredzone.com
5/11/02
Song one, "Always With You, Always With Me" brought to you by the
hands of Bruce Kulick will sooth your soul. Bruce took this old guitar classic
and gave it a new feel with his acoustic guitar playing. He did a great job
and I really liked the arrangement.
"Surfing With the Alien" by shred monster Jake E. Lee (formerly of Ozzy and Bad Lands) will tear you to pieces with his insane guitar playing. I haven't heard from Jake in a while and its great to see him still releasing music. Jake's guitar playing on this track is a memorable performance for sure.
"Echo" track three, from Jimmy Crespo / Dave Ragsdale is a nice slow melodic change to the upbeat driving tunes that are on this record. Their playing was superb, and they really created a huge atmospheric sound with this remake. The track is full of life and the guitar and violin playing is top notch. Dave Ragsdale's violin playing really added to the songs vibe. It's not every day that you hear hot violin playing with screaming guitar. Nice combo!
Brad Gillis's "Summer Song" is a real treat if your a fan of Gillis's monstrous guitar playing. He throws in some of his own signature guitar licks and tricks all over the place, and man was I impressed. Brad really spiced up this song and gave it a lot more flare and excitement. If you haven't heard Brad Gillis's guitar playing you've probably been a shell for the past 20 years! Remember 80's hits like "Don't Tell Me You Love Me" or "Sister Christian"? Well my friends that was Brad Gillis in Night Ranger! These days he's tearing it up with his own solo work and touring with Night Ranger for summer festivals and such. Keep your ears peeled for Gillis's amazing guitar work, its hard to miss.
"Friends" song five was remade by Neil Zaza and I wouldn't have picked anyone else for the job. His style of playing fit this song's vibe so well, it was a match made in heaven. Zaza is a non stop melodic guitarist and this song accented his style even more. Neil screams out some amazing leads and plays with so much soul. Put this one on "loop" a few times, you won't regret it
Enuff Znuff rocked the house with their rendition of "Yankee Rose." Enuff Znuff gave the song that 80's Metal feel to it. Grab your hair spray and lets jam some tunes, know what I mean? Their version was real fun and upbeat. Guitar playing was real tight, and the vocal work complimented the song. You'll dig it 150%.
"Shy Boy" song seven from the Lynch, Harnell an McMaster camp is without a doubt one of the most standout tracks on the album. Lynch's chops from hell guitar playing dominates this songs vibe and presence. It's no wonder why George is worshiped by the masses. To tell you the truth this song sounds like it came right off the "Under Lock and Key" Dokken album. It has that fast paced rhythm guitar playing and George's super fast licks that made Lynch famous.
Versailles Records own Richard Kendrick tore it up with his version of "The Attitude Song." Kendrick turned this song into a chop fest for sure. With screaming guitar playing and some exciting accents. He's a guitar player that will always seek to shock you note to note. I can't begin to imagine his thought process while he's playing. Great job Richard, your playing really smoked and your chops were tight.
"Tender Surrender" track eight was performed by Tony Janflone Jr. was another smooth and cool feeling number. Janflone's guitar playing is really soulful and on top of the game. He really did this mellow number justice with his knack for creating a bluesy atmosphere. His leads were really clean, and he jumped from clean to overdriven tones throughout the song which gave it a lot of variety. He displayed a wide variety of techniques, so listen closely for all those styles merged together.
Song ten "Tobacco Road" covered by Corey Craven was a hopping number that rocked my socks off. The song was for sure one of the most upbeat songs on this CD and it was the best one to finish it off. Craven's guitar playing is hot stuff and I would like to hear more from this relatively new player. He has a lot to offer as a guitarist and his skills are smokin'.
From four alarm fire shredding to soulful melodies, this tribute CD covered all grounds. With all star appearances from George Lynch, Brad Gillis, Jake E. Lee and more, this tribute album is destined to be one of the best of all time in it's genre. I have to give Versailles Records a hand for getting together some of the rock industries best guitar players for a blazing storm of guitar madness. So how about getting Satch and Vai to do a tribute to George Lynch or Brad Gillis in return? (laughs) Be sure to drop by Versailles Records and pick this one up now, or check out your local music retailer, it's selling fast.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
AOR-Europe.com
LORDS OF KARMA: "A Tribute to Vai / Satriani" 9
Versailles Records 2002
Review by Endre "Bandi" Hübner 13 February 2002
Finally!! A tribute album that is REALLY a tribute to the artists it is dedicated
to not just a lame attempt to cash in on well-known names. I've been very
disappointed by some of the "tribute" albums that came out lately
and approached this one very carefully too. My fears were growing stronger
when I saw that the album opens with Satriani's "Always With Me, Always
With You", one of my all time favorite instrumental pieces. Then Bruce
Kulick's (Kiss, Union, Blackjack, Meatloaf) version of the song washed all
my fears away. He has recorded an electro-acoustic version of the song that
almost brought the tears into my eyes. If the original weren't so perfect
I would even say "better than that" but obviously that's pretty
much impossible.
Jake E. Lee (Ozzy, Badlands, etc.) smokes with "Surfing With The Alien", great version, not just playing note-by-note but he manages to add his own personality and style into the final product. This is true for all the performers and this makes the album a real tribute and different from the recent endless flow of fake tribute albums. Another pleasant surprise is Jimmy Crespo and Dave Ragsdale (the rock violinist) doing a great guitar-violin version of "Echo". Gotta be heard to believe! Brad Gillis (Night Ranger) is as good on "Summer Song" as Lee was on "Surfing" which is not surprise after his great solo effort. Neither is Neil Zaza's superb "Friends"; Neil's own stuff is pretty much in the Satch vein anyway.
Had there only been instrumental songs on the album, it would have gotten the maximum 10 points but some weaker vocal songs slipped in among the Vai tributes. The band members of Enuff Z'Nuff had already destroyed some of the songs on various tribute albums, and that's pretty much what they do with Dave Lee Roth's "Yankee Rose" here. Neither the guitars, but for heaven's sake not even the vocals(!) live up to the original! And if someone can't sing Dave well enough that's more than a critique… I expected more from "Shy Boy" too, mainly because George Lynch is definitely a capable guitarist and Tony Harnell is one of my favorite singers but their version pales in comparison to the original too. However it can be blamed on the production too, as the whole sound is quite weak on this one. Richard Kendrick, a new, rising talent restores the faith with a great version of "The Attitude Song". Much credit goes to the guy anyway, because for almost half of the songs on the record he is the one to provide all the musical background for the soloists. Tony Janflone is not a household name among rock fans mainly because he is working on more jazzy territories and that may be one of the reasons for choosing "Tender Surrender". He does beautiful, soulful rendition of the song. The album finishes with an okay version of "Tobacco Road" by Corey Craven (weak vocal performance and production again). Disregarding the vocal track this is a perfect album and essential for EVERY instrumental guitar fan. www.versaillesrecords.com By the way, you might want to check out our reviews of earlier Jake E. Lee, Brad Gillis, Neil Zaza, and other mentioned artists' or band's releases in our archives…
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
A TRIBUTE TO VAI/SATRIANI- Melodicrock.com
LORDS OF KARMA
Versailles Records VE20006
Produced by: Jake Brown/Richard Kendrick/Joe Viers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Released: OUT NOW
GENRE: Hard Rock OVERALL: 83%
Versailles Records were previously behind a very good Cult
Tribute and this is their second foray into the Tribute world.
The thing I like about this and also the Cult Tribute are the persons involved.
The label has unearthed a few different people, rather than the same old suspects
used on other tributes.
Featured on Lords Of Karma are Bruce Kulick, Jake E Lee, Brad Gillis, George
Lynch, Tony Harnell, Richard Kendrick, Neil Zaza & Jimmy Crespo.
Most tracks are faithfully reproduced, with each guitarist adding their own
personal style and trademark sound to the tracks.
On the Vai side of the things, it was great to hear a couple of vocals from
the Dave Lee Roth Eat Em And Smile era included. Yankee Rose features Enuff
Z Nuff doing their own thing and on Shy Boy George Lynch shreds like a mad
man while Tony Harnell and Jason McMaster share lead vocals. This track ROCKS!
Overall, an above average release and above average performances of some classic
songs.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Electricbasement.com- CD Review
VARIOUS ARTISTS - A Tribute to Vai/Satriani: Lords of Karma
(Versailles Records)
Not too many tribute records as of late, so this double dose of tributage might help make up for the lack of genre releases, not that the genre HAS to exist. Stacked with some of the usual suspects and a few semi-big names (Bruce Kulick, Jake E. Lee, George Lynch etc.), this concise ten tracker devotes 5 carefully chosen pieces to each virtuoso. Careful in all regards I suppose for paying tribute to renowned guitarist could get real ugly if the ball is dropped.
Digging in: Kulick's take on "Always with Me, Always With You" is rather gorgeous and perfectly legit, maintaining a bluesy yet technical tone, fading away as an appetizer for Jake. E. Lee's extra metal version of "Surfing with the Alien." The hook is not as obvious here, buried in crunch but that's all cool, for we aren't looking for uninspired copycats. The other highlight on the Satch side is Brad Gillis on "Summer Song" a tasty sister to "Surfing."
Enuff Z'nuff dare take on Vai's "Yankee Rose" and...hmmm....well, not nearly as awkward as I would have imagined. In fact, there is more red meat here than I would never had guessed Enuff Znuff could tackle. The vocal harmonies are where they shine. But then again, this is supposed to be a guitar album...ahh screw it, this ain't half bad. "Shy Boy" finds George Lynch doing quite well, but once again, the vocals surprise here, thanks to Jason Mcmaster and Tony Harnell.
Richard Kendricks and Corey Craven chime in among others and you have a set that is about 40% little knowns and the rest recognizable to at least the hard rock loyalists. None of the tracks are embarrassing and are honestly better produced and not as half-baked as most tributes have been for the last oh, say 5 years. Still, this isn't as expansive or urgent as it could have been. I mean, why split this up between 2 legends? Still another budget tribute album when it comes down to it, so fans will have to decide how worth it is to them to shell out another 16 bucks to hear other people do their hero's music.- Brian Coles
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
QUINTESSENCE METAL WEBZINE
"Lords of Karma"- A Tribute to Vai/Satriani (2002
Versailles Records)
I thought things were quiet after the "Crushing Days" compilation
but here we are with both guys being tributed and a serious complation compared
to some of the really gnarly ones Dwell had put out over the course of the
last 5 years...total mutilation! Versailles really gathered some talent for
this release and despite some of them go amok on certain songs, it's still
a very good compilation nonetheless. Some of the stars are Bruce Kulick, Brad
Gillis, Jake E. Lee (the one runs amok!), Neil Zaza, George Lynch, Richard
Kendrick, Jim Crespo and Enuff Znuff to name the majority. The CD is split
in half with the first 5 tracks paying homage to "Satch" with Lee's
good but overboard cover of "Surfing With the Alien", Brad Gillis
doing "Summer Song" and "Friends" by Zaza as my best picks
for the first half and the Vai part has a couple vocal tracks like "Yankee
Rose" by Enuff Znuff (great guitar and music but the vocals are just
horrible....raspy and monotone as hell from smoking and whiskey drinking I
would say...ha ha!) and "Tobacco Road" by Corey Craven. Lynch hooks
up with Jason McMaster (from the 80's thrashers,Watchtower) and Tony Harnell,
ex-lead vocalist for TNT to cover "Shy Boy", great song but not
one of Vai's best since to me, it's a bit repetative lyrically. Richard Kendrick's
version of "The Attitude Song" and Zaza's "Friends" are
practically note-for-note and the best tracks on here. Not a bad compilation
and somewhat like "Crushing Days" with "hits and misses"
but worth the curiosity of listeners..
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
http://www.tartareandesire.net.
V/A - A Tribute To Vai/Satriani: Lords Of Karma
Versailles Records, 2002
"Versailles Records is the label behind this tribute
album dedicated to the two guitar legends Steve Vai
and Joe Satriani. These two guys have played with a great number of bands
like Frank Zappa, Alcatrazz,
Axis and Rolling Stones before deciding to go solo which was a very good choice
as it turned out. The people performing these ten tracks (five from Vai and
five from Satriani) are also quite famous and have been or are members of
bands like Enuff Znuff, Dokken, TNT, Watchtower, Kiss, Aerosmith and Meatloaf.
This means that they have not just picked up the guitar, some of them have
even spent more than 20 years learning to pick the strings. The result is
as it should be, a clean and perfected tribute album, nothing more, nothing
less. Most of the ten tracks are of course completely instrumental which I'm
glad for because I think at least some of them would have been ruined if they
had included a vocalist, at least if he/she isn't good enough. If you are
a guitarist
yourself you will have no problem at all appreciating the greatness of both
Satriani and Vai but no matter
what kind of music you listen to I think you will be able to enjoy this album.
There are mostly slow and
emotional tracks on the album but also some for hard rock fans. This is instrumental
rock in the highest division and if it wasn't "just" a tribute album
I might have rated it even higher. Outstanding tracks: "Surfing With
The Alien" (Satriani) and "Tobacco Road" (Vai)." (7.5/10)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Guitar Mania - CD Review
Vai / Satriani Tribute - "Lords of Karma"
Released on Versailles Records this new CD pays tribute to two of the greatest and most recognized shred kings of our time - Steve Vai & Joe Satriani. The CD brings together some of the hottest guitarists from the 80's and 90's all paying homage to the two masters that pushed over the top guitar playing to the forefront. Shred kings like George Lynch, Neil Zaza, Richard Kendrick, Jake E. Lee, to name a few, all contribute their personal guitar styling to some of Vai and Satriani's most memorable work. There is some first rate guitar playing throughout this CD. Fans of both Vai and Satriani will really dig this release.
The highlight of the entire CD is Richard Kendrick's superb
recreation of the Vai Classic "The Attitude Song". Just like the
title states, Kendrick plays with authority and attitude. He has interpreted
this shred masterpiece with skill and finger flying dexterity that should
place him among the front-runners of today's instrumental guitar scene.
Other songs of note are Neil Zaza's interpretation of "Friends"
and Brad Gillis's rendition of "Summer Song". I also really like
the teaming up of George Lynch with Tony Harnell for the David Lee Roth (Vai)
tune "Shy Boy" - a great rocker with loads of signature George Lynch
all over it.
This is the first release I have heard from Versailles Records. From a production
stand point this CD is also first rate. I have a feeling we are going to hear
many more quality releases from these guys in the not so distant future.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rock and a Hard Place-
LORDS OF KARMA - A TRIBUTE TO VAI/SATRIANI
You could make a case that Steve Vai and Joe Satriani are
the two greatest guitarists to walk the Earth. Of course there's Hendrix and
Randy Rhodes, but we'll never know what level they may have reached. Instead
of arguing about it, I suggest picking this amazing tribute up and hearing
what some of the worlds other greats can do with their material.
The first half is Satriani with Bruce Kulick doing extreme justice to "Always
With Me, Always With You". Jake E. Lee takes on arguably the most recognizable
guitar instrumental ever, "Surfing With The Alien" and probably
the next most widely know "Summer Song" is done by Night Ranger
Axeman Brad Gillis. All three guys do amazing work here, not straying dramatically
from the originals, but then again, why would you have to! Jake E. Lee's version
is the most aggressive as he shows he has only improved over the years. Legendary
Jimmy Crespo (Aerosmith) and Rock Violinist Dave Ragsdale redo "Echo",
a nice song, but the pace doesn't allow for a lot of showing off. And underrated
guitarist Neil Zaza does a fantastic version of "Friends" to wrap
up the Satriani side.
The Steve Vai tracks may be a little more recognizable as he worked with more
artists and bands than Satrini. In fact, three of the cuts here are off David
Lee Roth's first solo album. I was amazed to see Enuff Z' Nuff taking on "Yankee
Rose" and even more amazed to hear they did a killer job with it. It
has a bit of their influence in it, but for the most part stays true to the
original. I have NEVER heard Donnie Vie sound like this either, he's closer
to Bon Scott than his own style. Next comes three of my favorite dudes, George
Lynch, Tony Harnell, and Jason McMaster (Dokken, TNT, Dangerous Toys respectively)
doing KILLER version of the old Talas tune "Shyboy". All I can say
is you need to hear it. Richard Kendrick redoes "The Attitude Song"
and shows he's emerged as a helluva player. Tony Janflone Jr. does a nice
job on "Tender Surrender", the albums most laid-back remake, and
Corey Craven smokes on Tobacco Road to round the CD off.
As you would expect from a group of players like this, the production is amazing
and the quality of the product and packaging is also done very well. This
is a "Tribute" album versus a "Interpretation", meaning
the songs stay very true to the original. I think back on that Kiss Tribute
done in the early 90's by a bunch of artists who had no business on the album.
ALL of the musicians here belong as they've been a part of the same scene
as Vai and Satriani have been, some even longer, which shows the appreciation
for these guys. Will we ever see young players like this? I don't know, it's
not real promising in the states due to Video Games and MTV, so I think we
can only look at Europe. In the meantime, let's enjoy the contributions of
all the brilliant musicians on the album and the two men they are paying tribute
to... Steve Vai and Joe Satriani.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
http://www.iconomusic.com
Lords of Karma – A Tribute to Vai/Satriani
Label: Versailles Records
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review By: antiGUY
How in the hell do you find musicians with the balls let alone the skill to do covers of some of the best work of two of most gifted guitarist to ever pick up the six string? We still don't know how he did it but Jake Brown at Versailles Records accomplished what he set out to do. The songs included on this disc not only pay homage to the originals and the guitar skills of Joe Satriani and Steve Vai but also showcase the unquestioned talent of those who participated.
The thing about gifted guitarist is that each one approaches the instrument in their own special way, which gives them a sound and style all their own that is readily identifiable with only hearing a few notes. Not only do Steve Vai and Joe Satriani possess this quality with their music but many of the guitarists who took part in their album as well. Each guitarist approached the songs mindful of the original yet they each give it their own special flair and style really making it their own instead of a note for note copy.
Bruce Kulick has never really gotten his due as a truly exceptional guitarist. Die hard KISS fans know what Bruce is capable of, as he produced some of the most memorable guitar leads and solos of KISS's career but unfortunately not everyone could see past the image problems KISS had and didn’t give Bruce the attention and respect he deserved. Not only does he meet the challenge of recapturing the magic of one of Joe Satriani’s most memorable songs, he really shows us what he is made of with his approach to playing “Always With Me, Always With You”. A great job Bruce!
We know Ozzy doesn’t mess around when he picks lead guitarist. To play with Ozzy you have to be even better than the top of your class and have a distinct style. Jake E Lee stepped into the permanent guitarist slot with Ozzy after the tragic death of Randy Rhodes. While they were tough shoes to fill Jake brought his own grace and substance to Ozzy’s music and really measured up to the task producing some truly incredible guitar work and unforgettable solos while he was with Ozzy. Just listen to the solos on “Bark at the Moon” and you know Jake is a Guitar God all his own. While his later projects never achieved the commercial success as his work with Ozzy, Jake has to this day remained one of the most innovative guitarist in rock. His cover of Satriani’s best know song “Surfing With The Alien” starts out pretty true to the original but then he busts loose and gives it the Jake E Lee flavor, taking it far beyond the confines of the original version. An amazing new look at a classic song done by one of the most underrated guitarist on the scene today.
When Aerosmith was looking for a guitarist to replace Joe Perry they looked no further than Jimmy Crespo, the former guitarist of Flame. While the gig with Aerosmith was short lived Jimmy has made his mark working with artists ranging from Billy Squier, Rod Stewart, Rough Cut and Dave Ragsdale of Kansas who recorded this cover of “Echo” with him. The chemistry between Crespo and Ragsdale is undeniable and while this is a mellower song than the other Satriani tunes featured here, the performances are smokin’ and really show how Satriani made a career by making the guitar the ultimate lead instrument without the need for vocals!
Most people know Brad Gillis from his work with Night Ranger but they forget that he was the man that Ozzy tapped to fill in on guitar for the "Speak of the Devil" tour after Randy Rhodes’ death. We have a testament to that teaming with the "Speak of the Devil" album where Brad put down some amazing leads. Here he gives us a flat out rockin rendition of “Summer Song” taking an already mind bending song and giving it his own special touch. Brad never really got his due but after you hear what he did here there will be no denying this guy is one hell of guitarist!
Neil Zaza was a natural choice for this album, he is a widely respected instrumental guitarist and after hearing his take on “Friends” we know why! It’s a perfect end to the Satriani portion of the album as Neil explores the many personalities of Satriani’s music, playing it with an explosive passion.
Steve Vai is easily one of the most unique and accomplished guitarist in rock, there isn’t anyone out there who sounds even remotely like Vai, a man who has the ability to make his guitar really speak. So I was interested to hear this portion of the album and how the artists measured up to the challenge.
First up is one of my favorite underdogs and in my opinion the most underrated band in a generation, Enuff Z’nuff. I know Jake feels the same way, why else would he give them the biggest hit to cover on this album and on last summers Cult tribute album? Enuff Z’nuff fans get a special treat with this cover of “Yankee Rose”, the band’s cofounder and bassist Chip Z’nuff takes the microphone, something he rare does since he agrees Donnie Vie is one of rocks most amazing vocalist. Chip does a great job here giving the David Lee Roth hit a more down and dirty feel. Definitely a cool cover by a cool band.
Fans of 80’s melodic rock band Dokken know that George Lynch can hold his own on the guitar. Here he teamed up with vocalists Tony Harnell and Jason McMaster for an unforgettable cover of “Shy Boy” which ironically the guitars come out sounding more like Bruce Kulick than Steve Vai but hey it rocks nonetheless.
Chances are you have never heard of Richard Kendrick but once you hear his take on “The Attitude Song” you will never forget him. He takes the Vai showcase song and turns it inside out playing the memorable Vai approach to the instrument and then wrapping his own unforgettable guitar style around it. Richard simply kicks ass and makes you really nostalgic for the days of guitar heroes. The good news is he has a brand new album out, which is also released by Versallies Records, called “Murder and the F Word” if you can’t get enough of what you hear from him here.
Jazz guitarist Tony Janflone Jr gives us a great bluesy rendition of “Tender Surrender” that words can’t describe, you really have to hear it for yourself. And the relatively newcomer Corey Craven closes out the disk with a balls to the wall rendition of “Tobacco Road”. It’s the perfect way to end a killer album. Hats off the all the musicians who took part on this tribute and congrats to Jake and Versailles Records for pulling off what many would have considered impossible, a tribute album to Satriani and Vai? Can’t be done! Well it has been and let me tell you it quite simply kicks ass!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Classic Rock Revisied- Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
This is one tribute album to actually get excited about! If you play guitar or love to listen to others play guitar then you will be foaming at the mouth and chomping at the bit with every song on this killer ode to two of the true masters of the six string, electrified axe: Joe Satriani and Steve Vai.
The CD is split into two sections: Satch's part and Steve's part (kinda makes ya miss records now don't it). The talent level on the disc is as loaded as a tourist in the French Quarter at 2am during Mardi Gras. Names like Bruce Kulick (Kiss & Grand Funk Railroad), Jake E. Lee (Ozzy), Jimmy Crespo (Aerosmith), David Ragsdale (Kansas), Brad Gillis (Night Ranger) and Enuff Znuff tear up the ten songs on the CD.
The Satriani side wins hands down as the majority of the talent showed up to play Satch's gems including "Always With Me, Always With You" (Kulick plays this one on an acoustic), "Surfing With The Alien" and "Summer Song." The Vai side is good as well with the highlights being a couple of David Lee Roth era tunes "Tobacco Road" and "Yankee Rose."
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Strutter Zine.com
A TRIBUTE TO VAI/SATRIANI-VARIOUS BANDS/ARTISTS (VERSAILLES
RECORDS)
This is one of those high qualities tribute records, with many well-known
musicians involved, such as BRUCE KULICK, BRAD GILLIS, JAKE E. LEE, NEIL ZAZA,
ENUFF'Z'NUFF, GEORGE LYNCH and several others. The CD contains 10 tracks,
with a SATRIANI side and a VAI side, both 5 tracks. I must say I really like
the JOE SATRIANI side, as I found him always the best of these 2 excellent
guitarists. The songs on his CD's were always more melodic and progressive,
than the mostly boogie and groovy hardrock style of STEVE VAI. Songs like
"Surfing with the alien", "Echo" and "Summer song"
are covered very well. The fans of VAI will of course also enjoy the 5 tribute
songs on this CD. This CD is just a total must for anyone who is into instrumental
guitar based hardrock, and of course very interesting to listen to if you're
a fan of either Vai or Satriani or both!
(Points: 8.0 out of 10)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Skylight E-Zine (http://www.geocities.com/skylightgr/heavymetal.htm)
LORDS OF KARMA - A Tribute To Vai/Satriani (Versailles Records)
Another one tribute , but not at a specific artist or a progressive group
(Labels please ,no more tributes at Queen & Rush ,find something different
! ) , it's a tribute for Steve Vai and Joe Satriani . Interesting idea and
interesting guest appearances from Jake E. Lee , Jason Mc Master ,George Lynch
, Brad Gillis , Bruce Kulick , Enuff Znuff , etc. If you are a wannabe axeman
or a guitar freak , maybe you would listen to this Cd and then starting discussions
about Joe ,Steve and their offer in guitar scene .
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
SLAM! Party Rock'zine
http://www.slamrock.f2s.com
A.A.V.V.
"Lord Of Karma - To Tribute to Vai/Satriani"
Versailles Records - 2002
**** 8.5 ****
Outside for the Versailles Records this I pay to two of the greatest chitarristi
of last the 20 years: Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. I pay is divided in two
parts, before it introduces pieces that have rendered celebre Satriani and
to play we find them people that it knows what means "to play":
BRUCE KULICK , creed does not have need of presentations, attempts in the
calm "Always With Me, Always With You", while an other monster of
six ropes, JAKE and LEE boasts with "Surfing With The Alien".
Coupled JIMMY CRESPO/DAVE RAGSDALE us test with "characterized Echo"
from violino of this last one, while BRAD GILLIS and NEIL ZAZA close the dedicated
cinquina Satriani with beautifulst "the Summer Song" and "Friends".
From the sixth trace in then the part dedicated begins to Goes: the ENUFF
Z' NUFF with the irriconoscibile voice of Donnie Ways are exhibited with one
of beautifulst song of the repertorio Vai/Roth , "Yankee Roses",
while an unknown trio composed from GEORGE LYNCH to guitar and TONY HARNELL
and JASON McMASTER to the voice gives a Pò of energy with the stellar
"Shy Boy". Decidedly over the average also the executions of orchestrate
them "The Attitude Song" ( RICHARD KENDRICK ) and "To stretch
Surrender" ( TONY JANFLONE Jr ) that they lead to us towards the tenth
and last trace "Tobacco Road", played and sung from COREY CRAVEN
.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
John Ridge- The ZineScene.com
"The vai/satch tribute was real good. I'm particulary
fond of tributes when their done
tastefully (ie Death metal bands covering AC/DC doesnt' NOT make a good
tribute (as Dwell tried to do) but this is creative and features some real
good talent, all of which I've had the pleasure of hearing on your CD's."
_________________________________________________________________________________________________