Flex-Able | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | January 1984 | |||
Recorded | April–November, 1983 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 41:18(without the bonus tracks) 55:04 (with the bonus tracks) | |||
Label | Urantia Records (original) Akashic Records (1988 reissue) Epic Records (1997 reissue) | |||
Producer | Steve Vai | |||
Steve Vai chronology | ||||
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Alternative cover | ||||
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [1] |
Classic Rock | [2] |
Flex-Able is the debut studio album by American virtuoso guitarist Steve Vai. This was his first as a solo artist, and was created in Stucco Blue, a shed converted into a studio in Vai's old back garden. It is very different from many of his other albums, and is largely influenced by Frank Zappa; Vai was a member of his backing band from 1980 to 1983. Flex-Able does not rely as much on massive guitar arrangements and shred moments as the rest of his output from the 1990s onwards, with the exception of Leftovers which is a compilation of bonus tracks and remasters from his sessions at Stucco Blue.
The cover of the May 2009 issue of Guitar World features a photograph of Vai in a pose similar to the album's cover, including the bending guitar neck. [3]
The album was originally released on vinyl in 1984.
All songs written by Steve Vai.
The album was re-released on CD in 1988 by Akashic Records, with four bonus tracks from the Flex-Able Leftovers EP; and again remastered and reissued by Epic Records in 1997, with the same track listing as the Akashic reissue. There is also one European reissue on Curcio Records (released in 1992 in Italy) that features the same cover on the vinyl and just the first eleven tracks. [4]
All songs written by Steve Vai unless otherwise indicated.
The first song on the album, "Little Green Men", is dedicated to Nina Hagen.
Steven Siro Vai is an American guitarist, songwriter, and producer. A three-time Grammy Award winner and fifteen-time nominee, Vai started his music career in 1978 at the age of eighteen as a transcriptionist for Frank Zappa, and played in Zappa's band from 1980 to 1983. He embarked on a solo career in 1983 and has released eight solo albums to date. He has recorded and toured with Alcatrazz, David Lee Roth, and Whitesnake, as well as recording with artists such as Public Image Ltd, Mary J. Blige, Spinal Tap, Alice Cooper, Motörhead, and Polyphia. Additionally, Vai has toured with live-only acts G3, Zappa Plays Zappa, the Beat Tour, and the Experience Hendrix Tour, as well as headlining international tours.
Greatest Hits Volume 2 is the third compilation album by singer-songwriter James Taylor released in 2000. It was a follow-up to his first Greatest Hits album released in 1976.
Passion and Warfare is the second studio album by guitarist Steve Vai, released on May 22, 1990, through Relativity and Epic Records. It has been certified Gold by the RIAA.
Real Illusions: Reflections is the seventh studio album by guitarist Steve Vai, released on February 22, 2005, through Epic Records. The album reached No. 147 on the U.S. Billboard 200, as well as No. 88 on the Dutch albums chart and No. 110 on the French albums chart.
G3: Live in Concert is a live album and DVD by the G3 project, led by Joe Satriani. It was released in 1997 by Epic Records. This lineup of G3 includes Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson and Steve Vai. In 2005, a DVD of this concert was also released.
Gone from Danger is the twenty-third studio album by Joan Baez, released in September 1997. Rather than relying on her own songwriting, Baez instead selected work by younger folk and rock artists to perform. She included Dar Williams' "If I Wrote You", Richard Shindell's "Reunion Hill", and Betty Elders' "Crack in the Mirror" as well as two Sinéad Lohan compositions. Around the time of the album's release, Baez confessed that she no longer found herself able to write songs and felt more comfortable reverting to her original role, as an interpreter. The one track for which she receives credit, "Lily", was a poem written by Baez, to which Greenberg and Wilson added music.
The Man from Utopia is an album by American musician Frank Zappa, released in March 1983 by Barking Pumpkin Records. The album is named after a 1950s song, written by Donald and Doris Woods, which Zappa covers as part of "The Man from Utopia Meets Mary Lou".
Flex-Able Leftovers is a limited edition 10" vinyl EP by American composer and guitarist, Steve Vai. It was leftover material from the recordings done during the Flex-Able days and originally released in 1984. In this regard, it can be perceived as a supplement to the initial release of "Flex-Able". As in the case of the main album, "Flex-Able Leftovers" boast of a Zappa-based stylistic and musical influence.
Genesis Revisited, called Watcher of the Skies: Genesis Revisited in the US, is the 12th studio album by Steve Hackett, paying tribute to his former band, Genesis. It mainly features songs originally released by Genesis during Hackett's tenure with the group (1971–77). The previously unreleased song "Déjà Vu" was started by Peter Gabriel in 1973 during the Selling England by the Pound sessions but not finished and Hackett completed the song for this album. There are also two new songs, "Valley of the Kings" and "Waiting Room Only"; the latter is named after and loosely inspired by "The Waiting Room", an instrumental from the 1974 Genesis album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. The original Japanese and Argentinian versions of the album have a slightly different track listing and sequence, dropping "Los Endos" and containing one extra song called "Riding the Colossus". Later Japanese reissues of the album contain the same track listing as the standard international versions.
McGear is the second and final solo album by English singer Mike McGear, released in 1974. The album is a collaboration between McGear and his brother Paul McCartney, who co-wrote and produced the record. All backing tracks on the album are performed by McCartney and his band Wings, occasionally accompanied by guest artists. Lead vocals are sung by McGear.
The Politics of Dancing is the debut studio album by the English new wave band Re-Flex, recorded in late 1982 and released in November 1983 by EMI Records, and was, until September 2010, their only officially released studio album. John Punter of Roxy Music fame produced the album at Utopia Studios in London, England.
Think Pink is the debut album by English psychedelic musician Twink. Recorded in 1969, the album was released on Sire Records in the US in 1970 and Polydor Records in the UK in early 1971. It was produced by Mick Farren and featured members of The Pretty Things, The Deviants, plus Steve Peregrin Took of Tyrannosaurus Rex. The final two tracks were the only commercial release of any songs written by Took until 1990, ten years after his death.
No Sound But a Heart is the eighth studio album by Scottish singer Sheena Easton, released in 1987 on the EMI America label. The album was issued in the Canadian, Mexican and Asian markets. The album consists of midtempo and ballad songs, including the single and video, "Eternity", written by Prince. The disc features Steve Perry from Journey on backing vocals on "Still in Love" and a duet with Eugene Wilde on "What If We Fall in Love".
Nomadness is the ninth studio album by English band Strawbs. It was their last album recorded for A&M Records and their first with no full-time keyboard player since 1970's Dragonfly. Indeed, Strawbs would not feature a full-time keyboard player until 1978 when Andy Richards joined the band. All the tracks are timed at less than five minutes giving the album a lighter, less 'epic' feel in contrast to the previous three studio albums. Rick Wakeman came back to help on electric harpsichord on one song.
Collection is an album by Jason Becker released by Shrapnel Records on November 4, 2008. The album includes three new songs in addition to some older recordings. It includes many musicians and features guitarists such as Marty Friedman, Greg Howe, Joe Satriani, Michael Lee Firkins, Steve Vai, and Steve Hunter.
The Flex-Able Leftovers album, released on 10 November 1998, on Sony Records, contains five bonus tracks and is quite different from the original Flex-Able Leftovers EP. Unlike Steve Vai's other albums, which are mostly instrumental, almost all copies of Flex-Able Leftovers feature a Parental Advisory label, as a result of the song "Fuck Yourself" containing multiple profanities and sexual references. Other differences from the original version include the recording of live drums on "You Didn't Break It!" and the complete re-editing and mixing of the songs.
Shoulda Gone Dancin' was the third album by High Inergy. Now reduced to a trio, this album features Barbara Mitchell on lead vocals, with Vernessa leaving the group during the recording sessions of this album to become a minister and gospel singer. Vernessa is featured lead vocalist on two of the seven songs included, and a brief solo at the beginning of the title track. Barbara would sing lead on the remaining tracks and on all other songs released as High Inergy from this point forward. The album peaked at #72 on Billboard's R&B Album charts and #147 on the Pop Album charts. The album spawned one chart single, the title track, which was a moderate dance and R&B hit. The extended dance mix of the title track also made a respectable showing on Billboard's Disco chart. Because of the sudden shake up in personnel, the album featured no photos of the group on the front or back cover.
Through a Crooked Sun is the second solo album from Black Crowes guitarist Rich Robinson. This album contains twelve studio tracks and features guest appearances by Warren Haynes, John Medeski, Karl Berger and Larry Campbell. The UK edition was released on March 26, 2012. The title of the album was taken from Look Through My Window, a song from the EP Llama Blues.
Return of the Giant Slits is the second studio album by English punk band the Slits, released in 1981 by CBS Records on LP and cassette. In comparison with its widely acclaimed predecessor, Cut, released in 1979, it showcases a rhythmic, more experimental sound, inspired by afro-pop. The Slits would disband for the first time months after its release in early 1982.
Road to Forever is the second solo studio album by Don Felder, the first since 1983. It was released on October 8, 2012.