At least I had advance warning on one of these tracks, "Lucky Charms". Good thing, too, as this complex, through-composed ditty in 11/16 stretched well past the six-minute mark. Steve even gave me a chart for it (!), and I had plenty of room to stretch out on the solo sections. But I like "Fever Dreams" far better, even though I had to learn it on the fly. It just rocks really hard, and I'm glad I used the Mike Lull on it.

For both tracks, Steve had me set up in his Hollywood Hills studio and running through a fairly standard recording set-up: one track direct, another track through a vintage Ampeg rig and miked, and a third track going through a SansAmp PSA-1 and then rows of rackmounted effects (and only Steve knows what was on and what wasn't).

Not to be cocky, but I've always felt strangely comfortable and at ease when tracking with Steve, and I think it shows on these tracks. For his part, Steve goes so far as to suggest in the liner notes that "In The Clinch" might be my middle name. Now if that doesn't give me a humongous ego, I don't know what will. Damn, too late.

Click here for Steve Vai's official website.