Vai, Steve / Infinite Steve Vai: an Anthology

Frank Zappa was the first to hire the 21-year-old Vai as his new lead guitarist in 1981. Zappa called Vai his "stunt guitarist," and no one has since come up with a better description of his style. This is a brilliant retrospective look at the past, present, and future of progressive metal guitar playing. Vai spent much of his career as a hired gun, adding his technical expertise to the work of artists such as Frank Zappa, Alcatrazz, Public Image Ltd, David Lee Roth, and Whitesnake. The anthology includes great songs from his first two solo releases, 1984's "Flex-Able" and 1990's "Passion And Warfare," especially songs like "The Attitude Song," "The Animal," and the very Zappa-esque "Salamanders In The Sun." This anthology, covering the years 1984-2001, encapsulates a magnificent career.