'Being' Steve Vai with Steve Vai's Band!

Jeremy Colson (Steve Vai, drums) and Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai, bass) were kind enough to ask me to sit in on some songs at their rhythm section clinic at Musicians Institute Hollywood - to basically "be" Vai for them. No rehearsal, just live. Here is the result!

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[shawnhedrick]

Both songs were beyond great performances, but The Attitude Song had me laughing in disbelief and amazement that you would attempt that - AND pull it off so nicely with ease.

I love your own personal writing and playing, but I am also grateful that you do stuff like this too.

[mannyamdchrissyeva]

AH HOLY POOP!!!! I would never dream of tackling something like that.. I did get to play with Steve Via once.. but we made up a song and just jammed with he band... but to play Steve Via songs with his band??? WOW... Ive been a NILI fan since I saw you with Tony Mac Apline... Even more respect now that Ive seen this... WOW!!!! That was inspiring...

[allamericanredneck]

It amazing to see you pull this off, as an experience player will tell you, attempting this level of play on a guitar that isn't necessarily set up to perform such a feat is very daring indeed. Both Satch and Vai's guitars are tweaked beyond the means of most players can afford. I saw Satch at at All American Music in Bellevue Washington, back in 2004 if memory serves me. I got in early because, .. I knew a guy ;), while his tech Mike was setting up his gear. Got to look at his axe, and his action is very low. I am sure Vai has his set that way also. The level of performance they have, and to continue a 2 hour show, with the demand of their left hands requires this type of set up. I salute you on a great effort.

[mikerockyislet]

Wow. Must have been amazing experience

[kmlconsolidated]

I am impressed beyond words...that was amazing Nili and to do it without a rehearsal is unfathomable. Great performance!

[nicolasrioscardona]

For a moment I thought there was a song by Steve that I did not know and that was called Being jajaja...but that´s not true, I know all his music!. You are amazing Nili!!

[ScottManning]

Great job Nili! Especially the Attitude Song...that's not easy to play!

[Rendclaw]

Don't be surprised if you get a call from Steve himself wanting to take you on tour with him.

[RichardNess]

Dude, 1:19 gave me chills. You nailed it SO hard. It's one thing to play it right in your bedroom. It's another thing to play it right in rehearsal and completely different performing on stage in front of a crowd. How is it different for you playing these songs (with Vai's band) on stage?

[miket]

Hope you didn't get swamp ass cause y'all was cookin up there.

[thatsright]

An occasional sour note here and there. I would imagine the little broad fuckin killed it. She killed it! Like the other guy said, attitude song? Really? Fuckin owned it! ashamed how long it took me to be as good as that girl. Triple thumbs up!

[rccarsandmusic]

Not meant to insult but to educate players when playing live, You can sit at home and do perfect covers, but doing a live performance and improvising is the hardest. Catching stage freight and all your idea's go out the window, you are left with the pentatonic scale and sound like you are playing 2 years. she is good make a style and learn to improvise.

[shadowsong]

so impressive. I've worked so hard...there's no way i could just step into his shoes tonight and play those songs with those people and do that well. NIli is as good as anyone in the world.

[Havanacuba]

So pleased for Nili, it must be awesome to be a surrogate Steve and play with his band, I hope she enjoyed this as much as I think she did, I am imagining Steve was an influence on her, what an exciting experience