Steve Vai's Flex-Able 36th Anniversary Edition

Order limited edition vinyl, cassettes, hot sauce & more on VaiMerch.com!
Well, it’s been more than 36 years since Flex-Able was released but when I decided to do this it was 36 years old, eh.
I love this crazy little record and wanted to get one final up-to-date mastering done by Bernie Grundman himself who is perhaps the greatest vinyl mastering engineer in the business. We did our very best to make this the highest quality reissue it could be and in listening, I feel the audio experience is superior to the original release. We are also offering all sorts of items in the Flex-Able theme on VaiMerch.com.
This record is where it all started for me as a solo artist. The support it has received through the years is a surprise and delight.
And here it is in what I assume is its final re-mastering and re-packaging.
Enjoy!
And thank you.
S
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Official Website:
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[@ZAYAZOfficial]

Still have it on cassette. I used to put it on when I was a teenager and go to bed to it and dream about playing like Steve. Congrats Maestro! There are some real Jems and ear worms on this record! ❤️🤘🎸

[@MetalHeart8787]

I have my Tape also BUT didn't buy mine until 1991, I didn't know about the Hot sauce. those Lps look cool i should get one. ( since it's Vais Birthday i am doing a video to wish Vai a HB. )

[@tripleffarms2872]

Lol me to bro and stairway depending on if I had smoked or not

[@MetalJesusRocks]

Immediately went to Amazon to buy this! Such a crazy fun album 🤘

[@santosmadrigal3702]

I brought it on cassette . I new who Frank Zappa was , and that Steve was a heavy weight when he was a great un- known .

[@cheapskategamer8562]

I thought you only shop at Retro Video Game Stores LOL

[@exn641US]

When I listen to Flex-Able, I hear all kinds of Zappa influence oozing out of Steve's pores and into that album. It's an absolute joy to listen to Steve in his most raw form.

[@hyporelaxa3612]

A girlfriend bought Flex-Able for me when it was released. When I got my record player out of storage sometime in the 2000's it was the first record I played. Definately one of my top 10 "stuck on a desert island" albums.

[@carpediemarts705]

Parts of landed on a number of [mix tapes]

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

OMG , MY FAVORITE BLUEHAIRED STUNTGUITARIST - RE IGNITE THE MOST DARING RECORD EVER MADE PLAYED AND EATEN RAW ! Thankyou Steve , for being you , the way you are being you ! Big Generator ...of luw

[@Ricardosilva-ts9rb]

Number one 1🇧🇷 , ✌🏼😎

[@BinaryReader]

Call it Sleep and the guitar solo at the end of Viv Woman just blew my mind back in the day. These tracks are just the best examples of casting aside all of the rules and cranking out the most over the top guitar imaginable. When I heard Call it sleep for the first time I was just like "this, I need my guitar to sound like this!!". Actually the song is still easily my favorite Vai track. Might have to pick up the Vinyl release.

[@jakeolthof]

I met Viv at the Bodhi tree back in the 80s.

[@BinaryReader]

@@jakeolthof Nice! I got to meet Vai once when he was on his Fire Garden tour. Feb 17 1997 - Auckland Rockshop. He was signing records at the local music store. Man, the gig he played later that night was the most incredible thing I'd ever seen. I got all my albums signed that day except for one "Flexible", Vai said "You got em all!", and I said "all but one....Flexible". He grinned :D (albums like that were pretty rare in those days, and it was pretty hard to come by in 1997, let alone in New Zealand). I think he was surprised I'd heard of it :P Honestly man, that gig was the best gig I'd ever been to (and I've been to a lot of gigs)

[@BinaryReader]

@@jakeolthof Bit of a blast from the past, the same gig 2 days later in South Korea kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYWZp2tnp9mja6M :D

[@williamtell1477]

Call it sleep is one of the most soulful solos ever, Steve or anyone else. Flexible is definitely a GREAT album.

[@nickcosta8062]

I love that track... Cool stuff!

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ ❤️Those old pictures is worth the admission alone ! i love you , man - when i heard "Call it Sleep" I Believed again - in what , i had no clue - but my Faith was STRONG ..... IT STILL IS .....by the way ... Flex is STILL....my favorite Vai record ...how about that........ ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@nicholastotoro7721]

Man… I’m getting old… 🤣 I still have the “floppy disc” of “Blue Powder.”

[@christophergowin1767]

The first soundpage to blow my mind. I still have the copy of GP and the soundpage. I now need to get this vinyl and I will have the cassette, the first print cd, and one of the original vinyls! This will be a nice addition to that collection!

[@rajelas4835]

congratulations steve💗

[@pchalmersuk]

Salamanders in the sun is one of my favourite tunes of all time

[@jackroach2621]

I remember the old address... it's in Sylmar. Maestro, it's been amazing watching you evolve over the years!! Thank You for everything from your music to your philosophy... you rock Vai. 😏

[@PrimitiveInTheExtreme]

A wonderful album still today. I still remember when I bought it. I still have that cassette. 🤘🎸🤘

[@jeffreyp1855]

The Zappa is strong with this one! My girlfriend back in the 1980s bought me the flexable cassette tape as a present, and I've been a Vai fan ever since. 🤘

[@Paolo8772]

Happy 62nd birthday, Steve Vai! I wore the 2nd Passion and Warfare T-shirt I bought in October 2016 in Nanaimo today in Gurnee Illinois riding roller coasters at Six Flags Great America (after visiting New Jersey and New York) without actually remembering that it was your birthday. At least I wore the right shirt, only to remember at the end of the day that it is your birthday. 🤪 Much love for all the beautiful music you’ve written. 😘👍

[@gorgon9786]

This is an absolute treasure Mr. Vai! Thanks for inviting! 👍👌

[@MrChiprocks1]

To this day, I still have the cassette. Now I can finally add this vinyl to my collection. 👍

[@TheOriginalArchie]

I still have The Attitude song on "vinyl" from the magazine, I never pulled it from the magazine.

[@c.g.vonhagenstein7576]

I still have my original cassette copy as well. I also have my Attitude Song "soundpage" but it isn't in the magazine. Ah nostalgia. This new set of vinyl remasters look just lovely. I'm sure they'll sound lovely too.

[@byerly6]

Me too

[@KennethDonnellyStargazer21]

Got cassette too back then... it's ok

[@franknew2750]

Nostalgia!

[@PooNinja]

Yeahhh buddy 🤘🏽 very cool re release 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@ChadWork1]

I remember discovering Steve Vai as a teen through Guitar Player magazine, when I got "The Attitude Song" as a plastic floppy 45 record bound into the magazine. I bought Flex-Able immediately afterword. Such an EPIC album! Sorry, but I didn't really go for the gloss of the albums that came after, though I know they are amazing. I just dug the DIY magic of Flex-Able. I might have to get the remastered anniversary edition.

[@christianwilliamson9752]

I think I discovered him the same way that 45

[@ChadWork1]

@@christianwilliamson9752 That's great! I listened to it over and over and just couldn't understand how he played that.

[@nunyabiznis7]

Same! Then I got the album... which is a box in my basement... Someday... I get a new turntable. :)

[@ChadWork1]

@@nunyabiznis7 yeah I still have the album too!

[@joeytosi]

Blew my dome when I first heard it in the mid 80s. Still one of my favorites.

[@hobartmsuttonjr]

Ordered!! This album changed my way of thinking about guitar forever!! Thank you!!

[@Ioveandpassion]

I love Steve vai

[@stoneage6379]

It is still my absolute favourite of all of your albums Steve. I love them all but the first love is the most special!!!!!!!!!! This will never get old even if I live to be 100.

[@reynaldboutry]

Thanks Steve for last night. 4 times I have seen you in 3 decades, Elysée Montmartre (Paris), L'usine (Istres), Théatre Sébastopol (Lille) and yesterday again in Lille (Le splendid). Each time you transport me into your universe of madness and incredible techniques. See you soon!!!

[@thefog7067]

We appreciate it too Steve. So glad to be on this journey thru life with your music . . . Best of luck with this re-release of Flex-able I hope it sells a ton ❤

[@synisterfish]

Stunning. Thank you!

[@FluidityFreak]

Love you Stevie! You were the soundtrack to my teenage years!

[@keith-kessinger]

I still have my vinyl and cassette. I was signed Relativity in a band called The Ex-Idols. I went to Steve's house with the vice president. Steve was so nice. He was showing me some rare pedals he just got. This was summer of 93. What a rare day.

[@IndustrialFaith]

It's a superb album. My best friend's older brother turned us all on to Flexible back in the 80's. That sent us on a journey outside the corporate limitations of radio. Best thing to ever happen to our little group. Thank you for all the music! o7

[@lilienlacocina5265]

I was 20 when you released this record and i loved it!!! I still do!!! Kisses from Canary Islands

[@viniciusmarcilio3194]

Wow.. you went crazy on this one. All the different vinyls, cassete, tees .. hell yeah

[@williamdenton1410]

Awesome thanks Steve. The first album of yours I bought! Keep liking it more as time goes on. Hoping to see Inviolate tour in San Antonio. In Oct.

[@stevenstabile4379]

I had Flexable and my record collection was stolen and I think I bought it at Steve's show at My Fathers Place in Roslyn, NY where Randy Coven (RIP) a great local bass player played with him!! I was blown away!! A few years later while playing any gigs I could get I played a wedding at I believe the Westbury Country Club, Westbury, NY and was hanging out at the bar talking to the bartender and he comes out and says "My son plays guitar too!!" and I said "Really" and he says yeah, and he just joined Whitesnake!! His name is Steve Vai!! Nice to meet you I'm Frank Vai!!" I shook his hand and couldn't play a note all night!! But I got another copy of Flexible eventually!! BTW a very nice guy, his Dad and I believe he was the one at My Fathers Place that sold me the first copy!!!

[@marcready6369]

Thanks for the love, creativity, & effort you have put into this rerelease.

[@rustisamust9079]

The first I heard of you Steve was that flexi-disc in Guitar Player magazine. I was blown away and had no idea how half of the sounds were being made. A truly influential album that deserves the best sound treatment.

[@MakeWeirdMusic]

This is so awesome. Can’t wait to get one!! Thank you, Steve! Much love from Ant’kneeeee

[@azevedooliveira7301]

Thanks for your music Steve!!

[@blies4492]

I saw you perform this right after its release at My Fathers place in Rosalyn. One of the greatest shows I’ve seen. Thanks for rereleasing it.

[@LinuxRambo]

Steve, you are awesome. You use the Internet to share your knowledge and talk about times gone by. I'm sure you've experienced a lot. :-) Thank you very much for that!

[@digitalbuddha36]

Bought this last year on Vinyl. A promo release. The solo on Vai Woman just hits so hard.. one of my FAVS EVER. Just short and so sweet!!!

[@4BMarlo]

Great as always sir.

[@sike2805]

when I discover you music before many years, my life changed, and thank you for that!!

[@HutchEntertainment]

I so remember when that album came out. I purchased it on cassette way back when. LOVED IT THEN & STILL LOVING IT NOW! Congrats Steve, you da MAN!!!

[@dixee6498]

We love ya Steve!

[@syddy71]

Great, Looking forward to buying it!

[@cleavey100]

Has it really been 36 years? I’m feeling very old! Thankyou Mr Vai for all of your inspiration.

[@truthweallknow]

Many a good years Steve may have many more happy anniversary

[@Eyehook777]

I was already a huge fan of Steve in his early Zappa days along with getting the little flexi disc from Guitar Player magazine. I'm 53 now so imagine me at 16 years old and my friends are listening to Men At Work, Madonna etc.. and I'm listening to Zappa, The Dregs, Allan Holdsworth.. yeah, I was the kid that listened to "weird" music. Years later, David Lee Roth goes solo and BAM!! I see the 1st video and there he is! Freakin' STEVE VAI! I immediately bought the CD and started learning Steve's parts, etc. and I happened to meet another guitar player one day who asked me, "What's YOUR favorite song from Flexible?"..... ... .. ... Haah? Yes, Steve HAD AN ALBUM!! YES!! Immediately scooped that up and Passion & Warfare and every magazine article or interview i could find.. Steve, you've been such a huge inspiration and your legacy will continue on many many years after you've transcended this earthly realm. Love you man.

[@simonzowie]

I absolutely love this album!

[@DivineSource444]

Absolutely love the rhythms in this album! Been listening to it since it first came out!

[@starkotic]

My son Chris turned me on to your solo music when you first released Flexible. I am/was/were a Zappa fan since the original Mother's and loved your work with him. You wouldn't believe how proud and stoked I was when I saw the videos of Chris jamming with you! Thanks for being you, Mr. Vai!

[@voccsaycee30]

Attention those who are older artists (who have material to reissue that was recorded and mixed entirely analog) and those who are reissue vinyl buyers -- 30 seconds into this video, Mr. Vai properly answers the most important question we all need to ask when buying reissue lps.

[@ELI-qm6bx]

THANK YOU STEVE FOR YEARS OF YOUR GREAT PERFORMANCES AND INSIGHT OF MUSICAL IDEAS AND KNOWLEDGE. FELICIA AND I LOVE YOU, ❤️

[@GDNPB]

I have always been a fan of Steve Vai the guitarist, after watching the little video meeting with the 10yo bass player Ellen now i'm also a big fan of the man! thanks Steve.

[@mjm5081]

Thank you for sharing your gift with the world! ✌ ❤ 🎶 🌎 👏

[@marclucas1683]

HELLO STEVE ! THIS IS GREAT COLLECTORS ! BUT YOU ARE THE GREAT ! LOVE U STEVE ! THANK YOU SO MUCH ! 🤘❤

[@d4mdcykey]

In 1985 this album literally changed my life path and my entire perceptual landscape as to what music could be, and what it was to become. No matter how many times I return to Flex-Able I find something new and inspiring in it.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

Same here. The first time I heard it, my playing and what I thought was even possible was forever changed.

[@MicahRocksOfficial]

Such a groundbreaking record. Awesome news 🤘🤘

[@garrickmcgowan9022]

Awesome Steve you keep inspiring me to keep praying

[@larrykitzmiller103]

I had the cassette and the disk from Guitar Player magazine. Been crazy about Mr Vai's playing since the 80's .. unbelievable!!

[@thejaydeeclub5062]

i had that on vinyl in high school ! super cool, man. so much diversity in the songs...good stuff

[@tobaccorich]

Bravo. I love this record.

[@kentborges5114]

Steve Vai, like Joe Satriani, are NOT OF THIS EARTH ! Respect !

[@angelbellomacias8117]

Maravilloso disco, nos vemos en España el 14 de julio, eres el mejor .

[@Eric-fx9xf]

Lol specialized hot sauce. Classic! Cool designs and colors. Thanks. ✌👍

[@miky8788]

.. That little record ... i was in hospital for some weeks ,far from home , i was 13 y old.. my father gave me the cassette. Now i'm 42 and i still remember every part of it and i still have the cassette

[@BonesGaming]

NO WAY, I'M SO EXCITED TO LISTEN TO THIS IF I GET THE CHANCE. BEAUTIFUL STUFF STEVE!!!!!!

[@eltenor1973]

maestro .. we love you.

[@acme.videos]

Very cool vinyl release concept! I think you are a visionary artist!

[@Pat54guitares_Uku]

Very beautiful photos behind, and flashing coloured albums for the collectionners...

[@lowkeystarlord9545]

Bro I was just listening to your music and now he posts let’s go

[@josephpeccerillo1640]

I bought Flex-able in vinyl at a record store in New Haven, CT when I was a teenager. When I got it home and opened it, out fell a pink guitar pick with Steve’s autograph on one side and “Eat ‘em and Smile” on the other side. Coincidentally the guy at the store mentioned he had seen Steve in the store earlier that day. He was in town for a show with David Lee Roth at the New Haven Coliseum (great show by the way). I still have that pick to this day….about 35 years ago…. man I’m old…. Lol. Anyway, thanks Steve for slipping that pick in there. Very cool surprise. Still one of my favorite Vai records, production mistakes and all.

[@Ramiroescorial]

Love the cassettes 😍

[@drzecelectric4302]

Changed my life when it came out !!

[@PRAZUL_08]

Congrats steve 🥰🥰

[@Suchapill]

Steve, Flexible is an amazing album. The rest of your amazing career was foreshadowed by Flexible. Keep-a-rockin!

[@Stash777]

The album that changed my perception of what was possible on a guitar, love you Steve thanks for being!

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

Exactly.

[@davidgerwig1161]

Steve Vai my all time No 1

[@tedvincent50]

I still have this one on CD signed by you steve back from the g303 tour on the meet and greet when we discussed the secret of the jewel box. So very gratefull that you signed everything I handed you includeing the mirror from the jewel box. That was 19 years ago!

[@seanlombardo4577]

This album changed and enhanced the quality of my life

[@giantato]

$$$ for little steve vai - god bless all of them!

[@betray32]

You are the guy Steve!!

[@Sylvana010Rotterdam]

Wow amazing! 👌🏼

[@chromawavecreations7460]

I bought the vinyl with the original white & blue album cover at a little club I saw Steve play in. I literally cried when I saw and heard him play “Call It Sleep.” Always my favorite guitarist whose music still hits me emotionally.

[@jigs4pigs468]

That is hilarious the hot sauce great stuff thanks for the tunes you have been such a great inspiration 💪🏻

[@ChicagoJ351]

The attitude song tear out disc in guitar player magazine was my introduction to Steve’s playing back in the 80s when I was a teen. So many of us were exposed to him through that medium, it’s so cool to see the tear out again.

[@DragonboltBlastter]

This is amazing! I will definitely buy a vinyl and the CD (and both versions of the cassette to support Vai and the music industry)

[@adamm9173]

Yes, you should always support millioners.

[@Gitano_Music]

@@adamm9173 Yeah, because it should be illegal for people who have mastered their art to make money off of it? BTW, WTF is a "millioner"?

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

@@Gitano_Music : I would just ignore the troll. I would also bet my last $20 they are someone who supports billionaire's whose only talents are figuring out how to F over their workers, who have more important talents, mainly the talent to put up with these billionaires BS. Besides, and sadly for most of The People of the world, a million dollars isn't even that much money now. The average house in the city I grew up in is more than that. Note: for anyone who doesn't know, paid trolls are paid per each direct reply we give them. I don't think that commenter is a paid troll, but on any news or social channels there are a *lot* of paid trolls. Many of them are from one pf putins many troll farms too. Ignoring and or replying about them to another commenter instead keeps these professional trolls from getting paid, thereby reducing the amount if damage they will do. Please feel free to fact check me people. I very much want everyone to fact check me on this. If you search _paid trolls are paid per reply_ you will find multiple articles about trolls and troll farms. In particular I suggest searching _putin's chef_ to learn about the military run troll farms putin's ex-KGB buddies started back in 1998, that were in full swing by about 2013 and 2014. They are responsible for a large part of the rise of fascism across the planet, but especially they have been targeting the U.S. most vigorously. They know the only way to defeat the U.S. is from within, so they spread dangerous disinformation and foment hate to create civil unrest, possibly a coup attempt, and their greatest goal is to help start a second civil war in the U.S. Note that all of their goals have been realized other than the civil war.

[@BillDerBerg]

Your best album Steve

[@DonBeckett]

Love it! I had the magazine record back then! Nice!

[@anthonyjohnson4734]

I admit my 1st album from you was Passion. I was about a year or two into guitar and Passion got me hooked. It’s then I discovered you had previous work so I bought Flexible and I admit I wasn’t crazy about it. I just it was really strange and difficult to interpret but now I look back an realize why you are one of the greatest guitarists that ever lived. Teeth Of The Hydra had me tripping hard for about 2 weeks but it all makes sense now. There is only 1 Steve Vai. The most unique guitarist out there in my opinion. Absolutely insane crazy ass skills. Congratulations

[@fenwick_don]

One of my Faves and the old Carvin X100B Flexi Disc Been an guitar amp / tone nut since, well all time...

[@MadamOst]

Steve is such a lovely fellow.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

In late spring of 1984 one day, I ran into a friend who played me _The Attitude Song_ on his boombox. How I played and even looked at what was possible on a guitar was forever changed. I spent so many hours learning to play phrases just using one note and my Kahler, so when I finally got my first Floyd the next year, I was able to do it fairly well. After that (and listening to a lot of Uli Roth too) I was inspired to transcribe Paganini's 24 caprices for electric guitar (made it through about half of them, lols). This and all of the amazing music from that first day, to the Hyrda (you and Beck dude, just keep getting better, lols) has been such a huge inspiration. A couple of songs were also there when I needed one like it most: _All About Eve_ in particular helped me during the roughest time in my life). So yea, thanks Steve! Even just that first listen pushed my playing further than I ever thought possible before then. 🥰 I have no better compliment than that.

[@davemoskot7772]

Keep playing brother! I also enjoy Uli Roth.

[@thefog7067]

This was the very first Steve Vai album I owned. I got it from Portobello market. I was still young and didn't have any money so my mother kindly bought it for me but said " You gotta wait til xmas until you can have it" 😄 Worth the wait. The album is fantastic. Lil green Men is probably my fave trk for fun. Hearing the attitude song for the first time was just inexplicable how someone was doing this on a guitar! I like the fact that the ending of Lil green men is exactly the same ending that Steve used for Answers from passion and Warfare. I've got a flexible leftovers too so think I'll have to invest in this one. I've always been intrigued by the different album covers too. Mine is the one with the Hand and the heart

[@mikethompson848]

Hey, Steve. Mike Thompson here. We must have been on the same wave length. I was just going through the tapes on Flex-Able. Then the every next morning I saw your post on this. Amazing. Hope to see you when you come to Charlotte. All is well, you're looking good. Can't believe it's been 36Years . WOW. Love You . Mike

[@nathanmclauchlan5148]

I always loved the Little Green Men song from that album, what a fun song

[@rodrigobevilaquabarbosa8713]

poxa, muito legal steve!!! quero essas paradas todas ae.. rs

[@blsemetan7232]

Vai... I'm so happy you made that record too! I had the cassette back in the day and nobody knew you, they were like what's that weird music... lol. To me, your guitar lines were like flowing colors in my head. : ) Oh yeah, I bought the cassette because of the cool cover art... then next you know, I became a Vai fan lol.