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Virtuoso guitarist and visionary composer Steve
Vai will release The Story of Light, a new solo album of original material, onAugust 14. The title comes out on Favored
Nations Entertainment, the label Vai founded in 1999. The sprawling and
expressive 12-song set continues a conceptual and cosmic narrative arc that
began with the artist's most recent studio release, 2005's acclaimed Real
Illusions: Reflections.
Although The Story of Light is
largely instrumental, the album does feature guest vocalists including
singer-songwriter Aimee Mann-dueting with Vai on "No More
Amsterdam," which she also co-wrote. Beverly McClellan, a season one
finalist onThe Voice, appears on "John the
Revelator," a track inspired by a vintage recording of blues singer
Blind Willie Johnson, whose acid-soaked vocals are in the mix as
well. Other highlights include the title track (which opens the
album), "Gravity Storm," "The Moon and I," and
"Velorum."
Throughout, three-time GRAMMY-winner Vai's lead guitar
is as lyrically resonant as it is technically masterful, his licks and
solos bending sounds and in listeners' minds in equal measure. The
Story of Light follows the journey of a man driven mad by grief,
intertwining tragedy, revelation, enlightenment, and redemption.
"I'm always pursuing knowledge, I'm a seeker of
spiritual equilibrium-and music is a big part of that," says
Vai. "I've been obsessed with these kinds of ideas for
years." Looking ahead, Vai envisions a third set of songs
that will unravel the mysteries and reveal truths that swirl through both The
Story of Light and Real Illusions: Reflections.
The completed trilogy, intended to be cinematic-even operatic-in scope,
will include lyrics and narration.
The Story of Light is available as of
today for online pre-sale orders. This special pre-sale selection of
bundled packages is offered exclusively through Vai's website, www.Vai.com,
where complete details on the products and ordering information are
available. Each package includes an instant download of a track from
the new album personally selected by Vai, "Gravity Storm."
The Story of Light is Vai's 16th solo
effort, and the follow up to 2009's live effort, Where The Wild
Things Are. In support of its release, Vai will begin a tour
of North America on August 15th in Fort Lauderdale Florida, accompanied by
his band-who are also featured on the new album: Dave Weiner (guitar),
Jeremy Colson (drums), Philip Bynoe (bass), and Deborah Hensen (harp,
vocals, keyboards).
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