Steve Vai - "Blue Powder" (Live At The Astoria)

Steve Vai performs "Blue Powder" from the 2-disc DVD "Live At The Astoria, London" filmed over two nights on December 6 & 7, 2001.
Joining Steve on stage are Billy Sheehan on bass; Tony MacAlpine on guitar and keyboards; Dave Weiner on 7-string guitar; and Virgil Donati on drums.
With approximately 4 hours of content, the "Live At The Astoria" is a must-have for any Vai fan. The 2-disc DVD contains live footage of 21 songs, along with backstage and behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with band members, band biographies, the Vai discography and Los Angeles rehearsal footage.
Steve Vai - "Live At The Astoria, London" is available through all major music retailers such as Amazon.com, and also through the official Steve Vai website:
www.vai.com
www.myspace.com/stevevai

[@sabianharris8201]

What scares me is that this sounds EXACTLY like the studio version..This dude is on a whole nother level period

[@Fazman81]

Sabian Harris Actually it sounds better!

[@glennhecker4422]

Personally, I'm not even sure if he's from the same planet as the rest of us! (God only made one Steve Vai; that's for sure!) This is definitely on another level. I have this DVD and enjoy it quite a bit.

[@TheArchitect216]

sounds better

[@luiscadcam1]

and the band too.

[@mtbse789]

So true. Or better. Pink Floyd is the same way.

[@thomasfalls7696]

I'm telling you he was sent to earth to keep all guitar players egos in check and then some

[@timotot123]

I don't throw around the term "genius" very often , but I have no other word to describe what we just saw here. What an amazingly innovative and experimental guitarist with killer musical instinct, and a technique that is most probably unequaled anywhere on the planet

[@wiz9496]

You see it too, huh? He's hands down, the best I've ever seen.

[@ermack91]

+Tim O'donnell yeah, and he compose this song in the 80's, sick.

[@LouisMinett]

Saw him live the night before last and I can confirm .. This is 100% true EASILY the best performer I have ever seen in my life.

[@timotot123]

Very lucky man Louis Minett​!!

[@LordPrutsikas]

Genius is 1 in 100....Steve Vai is one in a billion.....

[@funkdoktor9099]

Fucking love Blue Puwder. The change is one of the greatest drops in all.of musical history.

[@robinwatson4282]

Hahahahahahahahaha...

[@NeilRaouf]

steve plays like a kid with a toy. innocent and curious and full of surprises! an exceptional artist! i bow for you, SV

[@samcoon6699]

I mean, PASSION & warfare....... To this day is such a feast for the ears and mental well-being.

[@SlickRick47]

Vai you are yoda to me...i have a overwhelmingly feeling you are not of this world

[@unowhavethebiggay1430]

Just like mr.buckt

[@alberthofmann5195]

this guy has brought guitar instrument to such a high level of creativity.. especially in this song.. what a genius

[@robinwatson4282]

I beg to differ. It's wank if it doesn't have a tune behind it. How many volume swells, shredding, and harmonic histrionics does anyone need in a lifetime?

[@pyrotfboba]

Both Vai and Sheehan are amazing. :)

[@Parrish_Muhoberac]

Yeah man, I was waiting for someone to mention Sheehan and how great he is, too... Thanks for that. Hey, VERNON REID from LIVING COLOUR is the only guitarist I know that equals Steve, but in different, yet quite similar ways.

[@thomasfalls7696]

Don't forget Tony Macalpine is right there with them on keys and guitar

[@easterislandhead9579]

@@Parrish_MuhoberacMr Big playing their last tour with Living colour as support!!

[@jmatthews7228]

Best band he ever had. Billy, Tony, Dave, and Virgil ….what a killer group

[@eduardoguerrerogarcia6714]

You are rigth Best band

[@paulolsen6870]

With MK and Mangini on the original G3 Tour was pretty awesome. ✌️

[@mrporter2u]

Hard to argue, but w/Devin Townsend, TM Stevens (RIP), and Terry Bozzio is in the conversation. Granted, Bozzio didn't tour with that band.

[@richtroxler]

Regardless of your particular favorite genre of music (I love Metheny and jazz basically), as a musician for more than 40 years, I can honestly say that Vai stands me on my head. His mastery of his equipment and his wide range of techniques sets him so far apart from his peers, it's not even a discussion. He utilizes every trick in the book flawlessly and his musical palette is tremendous. The guy is an absolute perfectionist. Simply wonderful.

[@Parrish_Muhoberac]

@richtroxler HEY MAN! Yeah it's just so incredible. Don't dismiss VERNON REID, though, from LIVING COLOUR. They came about years apart, and probably had never heard each other play, but there are some striking similarities. They both sound like as if TWO ALIEN BEINGs came to EARTH to show us all how it's meant to be done!! HAHA...

[@jspacone]

That’s pretty much how I feel. There are many players with astounding technique, but Vai also has a limitless vocabulary and unrivaled innovation.

[@jcpdloco]

he is a visual effect as much as a musical effect....love it!!

[@queentobe6721]

jay yazzie He IS hot

[@LICNY1980]

I had the priveledge to see Steve and Billy on the David Lee Roth tour in 1987. It was the most incredible show and showmanship I have ever witnessed. I've been looking all over for footage or DVD of that tour with no luck.

[@ZKE77]

if there is music with soul, it is the Steve Vai

[@guitarmanrichard]

Thing is, I've been playing guitar for well over 40 years. I'm pretty good. I wouldn't get on stage with this man! The command of the instrument coupled with his creativity scares me! Damn i love the way he plays!

[@pantsman0000]

i have never heard anyone make the guitar sound so beautiful!

[@chuckbeattyo]

The best in human history already.

[@dvsdez]

Feelings from the heart and soul that words simply cannot express. Vai is in his own league

[@robinwatson4282]

I've got a word...shit.

[@dvsdez]

@@robinwatson4282 wasn't asking for your description of your guitar playing, but thanks for sharing it all the same 💩

[@robinwatson4282]

@@dvsdez Joe Pass

[@kristiankumanov5732]

Steve Vai is on another level musician! Not everyone can understand his genius. This is not Slash or John Mayer :D

[@the2otaku822]

Kristian Kumanov amen.

[@ccasche5088]

Huge agree. No disrespect to others, but Steve has always had this genuine mystique.

[@LucaTalkinBout]

talking like slash and John Mayer are bad 🙄

[@andrewhowse2670]

Exactly

[@Pat54guitares_Uku]

Every musician is different with his personality, playing. That’s a question of affinities with hearing, loving and understanding a piece of musical work I think. And I agree that not every one can understand Steve Vai’s musics and sounds.

[@adam872]

You know you're good when you can have the calibre of these guys up on stage with you and willingly give you the spotlight. This has to be one of the better backing bands ever assembled in rock. I saw Vai with Mike Keaneally on keys/guitar and I think Terry Bozzio and it was utterly insane.

[@SirSnipesalot93]

It not only keeps him cool, but it keeps him looking cool.

[@CursedLemon]

I just love how when Steve Vai plays like this, it's like he's exploring the guitar right in front of you. No prescripted bullshit for Vai.

[@TSpoon823]

It's 2020, we are all under quarantine from a previously unknown Coronavirus and I'm rediscovering one of my favorite Vai songs that I'd tried to learn how to play in high school. I failed back then if you were curious. Still, what a piece of art.

[@richardtaylor8595]

Stevie is one the best guitarist ever. I bow down to this guitar God. Amen.

[@KBehrens1978]

I believe this is the best live performance of any one of his songs...period! Just plain in the zone!!!

[@medtekin]

3:02 Billy - Hey Steve am i playing well? Steve - You rock billy.. You rock!

[@Mofozofo]

R.I.P "The Astoria". One of the most popular theatres in music history

[@mwils8609]

This song is so powerful and spiritual. Steve, if you improvised that solo with the bar, that was otherworldly, just thank you for making music and existing Steve, you have touched so many lives.

[@fredriklindkvist7809]

From the first time i heard it billions years ago until now. Still the best Vai song!

[@irate772]

One of the best guitarists alive. I starting watcing him in the 80's when he was in FZ's band. Great technique.

[@Vojife]

No instrument can ever be better than the electric guitar

[@jamesha175]

the double-neck electric guitar is twice as better

[@rexgodland765]

@@jamesha175 triple neck

[@vojinljubisavljevic-origin2354]

Guitar is definetly one of the best instruments ever made.But each instrument is the best in it's own way.Guitar gives us powerful solos(i ain't talkin just about shred solos),kickass power and simular chords,pinch and other harmonics,and also if you use clean you get a unique and special sound.Violin has that classic unique sound that is the best in it's own way.If you combine more violins,violas,contrabasses you get such a dramatic sound.Like that,a piano also has unique sound.Humans voice is unique and kickass in it's own way.And if you combine all those and more instruments,you can get such godlike art.

[@robenhood7_517]

Heh try the kazoo 😏

[@sneed777]

the articulation that is possible with a guitar is present in no other instrument...except a synth maybe idk

[@Scott1305]

Apart from the fact that Steve Vai is one of the greatest guitarists I think I've ever seen on a technical level, he's also the most creative I've seen or heard since Frank Zappa.......which I suppose is fitting. Also, as a bass player myself, I can't decide if Billy Sheehan is inspiring or if I want to give up and turn my bass into a coffee table!

[@Footballzeal]

I listened to this since last year august , it's still so tasteful , soul to me now , those effects , pedal , whammy , perfect match , steve vai unique style , nobody would make better cover than this

[@atyt11]

My life was changed in 1986 when "Blue powder" was released as 45 vinyl inside my guitar player magazine. My favorite Vai composition. Many still do not fully understand Vai. His genius is beyond us mere mortals. Truly a pioneer for the electric guitar, one of the greatest.

[@brucejacquesStick]

I still have the soundpage, mind was completely blown 😮& I think Michael Hedges was on the other side!!

[@sulivandavi]

The best version of this song ever

[@Megadethfan13]

this is probably my favorite song from steve vai and it sounds great live

[@lindsaymcburney1367]

no genius is fitting for vai!!! he's the end all be all to me guys

[@margretdupont1]

Vai sets his guitar ON FIRE everytime he plays. Little wonder as he played with the late great Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention......Zappa called him his "little virtuoso" and now he's a Maestro. LOVE THAT VAI !

[@urbsurbisf]

Thirty years since its release and it has not ceased to give me Chernobyllic goosebumps every.single.time. I used to have nightmares where I knew how to play this, and was in a pickle as in: where do I go from here? This is the limit of what is humanly possible 🙂 So, dear Steven, in the words of Eros Ramazzotti, grazie d'esistere ❤️

[@dmcgraye]

Yeah, this is fast becoming one of my favorite vai songs... and the bass part is the coolest of any song I've ever heard, seriously

[@Adipsia1]

Beyond the sublime.

[@Adipsia1]

'Konx om Pax' - 'Light in Extension'.

[@Adipsia1]

And as a male of the species, I love it that he's able to multi-task, controlling his guitar and eyebrows whilst having his hair-dried. He's a poser of the first-order, but his posing only seems to enhance his virtuosity.

[@deklee68]

Hands down.....my fav SV track✌🏼

[@yancruzz]

Uma incrível performance de um artista que provavelmente será único no planeta terra. Fico imaginando, a que ponto a mente dele teve a criatividade pra compor essa musica de uma forma que consiga expressar um sentimento em uma guitarra, GENIO sem mais. Sem contar que ele faz a guitarra parecer a alma dele conversando com o publico. Inexplicável!!!

[@BHAKTIBROPHY]

Still have the Guitar Player Magazine SOUND PAGE version from 1985. Different from the PASSION AND WARFARE version, but equally brilliant! I waited 16 years to hear him play it live...and he nailed it. Bravo. Jai Vai!

[@GitarenEnBananen]

man this guy keeps amazing me every time with every of his songs that I hear.. there is just no other guitarist that comes close to his creativity..

[@oltreglischemi4992]

accidenti !!!! Steve sei la miglior creazione di Dio !!!! oserei dire che Dio è in te !non solo per la tecnica ma per ciò che riesci a creare con essa !!!!

[@kensimmons3356]

The Guitar Wizard!

[@albertocasaresrobaina4217]

my favourite song

[@dalanahouser7900]

+Alberto Casares Robaina mine too !!

[@albertocasaresrobaina4217]

and Sisters is another magic song =)..

[@Fazman81]

Mine too since 1998!

[@4everPalmeirense]

ele é o melhor, sem igual...o mais criativo guitarrista

[@heryblax]

Finally, someone who thinks and understand the "guitar expression at the best". when I practice my gtr-playing at home, it depends on the feeling to make those faces (mind+heart connected) as a result of what you're playing. Not many people gets this. Only who knows and love guitar music like this.

[@DidooFilm]

Trust me - It floats by itself . The man is THAT great...

[@PC-pb3tn]

masterpiece

[@JAF2991]

OOOOooooOOOOHHHhhhhh!!!! fuckin damn! this is good!

[@fredriklindkvist7809]

Vai's best compsition by far!

[@jeremyswalley8625]

I took his little bar bouncing on the strings technique to another level!!

[@Joepepelombardo]

arf!! he said

[@dapperdanman1956]

sending a prayer out for tony mccalpine who has cancer

[@tritone3284]

God bless him.

[@chambeet]

Didn’t know that. Sad to hear. Hope he’s recovered by now.

[@bubbahogg-buga4613]

looks like you healed him

[@emsaye]

This song and performance are beautiful

[@josiahgust]

I love Steve. He's such a good shredder that he can lay it down and play slower melodies. He's beyond just shredding his head off for the sake of it.

[@dimebagjosh2007]

I can't even process 3:12-3:17 with my dumb little head.

[@LordPrutsikas]

processing wont get you very far.....to really play these things you need to feel them.....

[@JaybeeDefiance]

Good music for the ufo in flight entertainment

[@arizona6494]

No one can make a guitar sound this B E A U T I F U L.......in LOVE~ Thank you Steve Vai. I love your hands. Incredible man you are...!!

[@krollaostmedburger]

the clean tone in this song sounds like it comes from heaven

[@MaelstromTheDemon]

Vai.....bro's got an ego the size of the Sears tower but damn he's amazing on that 6 string!

[@christophercarson7733]

This is Steve's best lineup saw this tour still one of the best shows I've ever seen every hair ony body was standing up

[@andyreasoner5289]

The beginning sounds like very nice blues riff and Steve easily could develope this using pentatonic in blues solo. So Steve is really very modest teling he don't fell blues well and don't play this or something like that :)

[@mattowen2749]

Andy Reasoner da fuk

[@DavidCrites07]

..I’m not understanding you

[@chuchunichichi]

That was how it was meant to sound. Listen to the original studio recording, man. Vai rarely ever, ever misses.

[@darggorlugaid]

OMG Steve Vai, Virgil Donati, Tony MacAlpine, Billy Sheehan, Best line up ever

[@AntonioGazzaneo91]

nobody plays like him

[@quebuenaviola]

gilmour is better

[@jarrod4115]

@@quebuenaviola tf

[@RushFanPix]

I love watching Steve play. Always a great show and great energy when the performer is having a great time and doing something he so clearly loves! One of these days, I have just GOT to get to a Steve Vai show... *yeah, I keep dreaming...*

[@WhizMitchell]

Steve Vai = beyond ridiculous. There are only a few guitar players that can almost recreate note for note, chord for chord, a complex guitar song in a live setting - I'll name two - Jeff Beck (whom I witnessed in 2007)...and this man..

[@Pat54guitares_Uku]

I love how your sounds are described openly when playing in their expressiveness. That makes me smile because that’s so genius, and only passion of music… Music is a living Art very well expressed here I think. 😊

[@worldz_of_visions]

I've always loved the creativity of this song and this is amazing live production!

[@colheg3113]

Remarkable Outstanding and mind-blowing to to see this gifted genius at work .....!!!

[@Cwisiee]

This is not just an eyegasm, not just an eargasm, this is a soulgasm!!!

[@karemare6426]

Steve being Steve, and having the time of his life :D I love it.

[@stamouel]

STEVE VAI...FROM ANOTHER PLANET

[@markrodrigue6768]

So fine!!! He totally rocks the house down... Lead changes are just awesome!!! Such versatility!!! My inspiration definitely!!!

[@SmackDownBrown49]

Total awesomeness AND with my man Virgil Donati on drums this tops the perfection cake off wonderfully. Heaven eat your heart out.

[@MistahhB]

Steve Vai smashed the blue pill into blue powder and sniffed it up. That's why he's so good.

[@GH-fn8gq]

Just wow! Absolutely amazing

[@peterhubek]

He expressed so many moods in one song. One of his best.

[@BOOLsheet]

Steve Vai, Billy Sheehan, Tony MacAlpine, Virgil Donati & Dave Weiner...greatest line-up ever

[@hairman63]

!!!!!! More than amazing !!! LOVE the DVD!!! Awesome combination of topmusicians ... Steve, Billy, Virgil ánd Tony on one stage! And don't forget Dave ....

[@dalana67]

Billy Sheehan is the best bassist in my book ever !!

[@44SuperShredder]

My favorite performance of his. Just seems to cover every element of his playing...Very Pleasant to the ears.. Almost Extra Terrestrial.

[@Geth777]

guitarist+showman+artist=God=Steve Vai

[@kathytaylor7561]

Phenomenal !!!! This is kickazz beautiful listen … love love love this man’s incredible talent .. one of the very best ❤️❤️❤️

[@superskatefreak3000]

its like he commits to the power of his guitar and gives it soul to it. His soul gently crawls out of his body and gets in the guitar and his body just let the powers go their way...

[@canadianrocker93]

Steve my friend , you are a musical genius

[@Koffieleuter]

SICK performance!

[@lukebalane9024]

Superb Steve Vai. One of Berklee College of Music's Best

[@jakejackson09]

i dont think ive ever seen anyone play as clean as steve vai does live..... its amazing

[@marcelomartins1887]

Billy and vai are the best . Beautiful music

[@theweberjosh]

The best combination of guitarist and bass musician ever!not rofgetting the rest of the band.This is one of the most interestingly writen tracks.unbelievable live performance.

[@helbson123]

God Gave Us the conductor of his guitar, to spend time here on earth, to see if people learn to play guitar. I have no doubts that he is the best guitarist in the universe, there will be another one like that. STEVE VAI = GUITAR GOD.

[@RushFanPix]

Brilliant! "Soulgasm!" is my new favourite word... :-)

[@BluesMan88]

Billy Sheehan is to bass as Steve Vai is to guitar. Just amazing to see probably the best Guitar/ Bass Combo Together

[@jesman1]

Amazing performance. Steve Vai is 'one with his instrument', there is little seperation between mind, techniques and the sounds you hear. The mark of a master. This coming from a lead guitar player myself. Steve was awesome back in the day (and still is) and has earned his place as a guitar god that`s for sure. With heavy emphasis on the word earned, nothing comes without 'time on instrument'. Wow.

[@s4pjans]

one word: sublime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!