Classical Composer Reacts to STEVE VAI: Bop! (with Mohini Dey) | The Daily Doug (Episode 624)
25,615
Published 2023-07-26
In this edition of #thedailydoug, I'm returning to music by Steve Vai, but this song is unlike anything I've yet heard from him. Bop! is a powerhouse fusion tune with exotic musical flavors. And, Mohini Dey's bass playing is spectacular. Come along for the ride, and keep up if you can!
Reference Video: • Steve Vai - Bop! (Audio) ft. Mohini Dey
Daily Doug Merch: www.bonfire.com/store/the-dai...
Thanks to our friend TIM WAURICK for providing the vocals on the Daily Doug Intro and extended Outro: youtube.com/@TimWaurickMusic
Catch up on my full album reactions at my Patreon!
JOIN THE NEW EXCLUSIVE DAILY DOUG COMMUNITY!
Patreon: www.patreon.com/doughelvering
Instagram: www.instagram.com/doug.helvering
Facebook: www.facebook.com/helvering
Twitter: www.twitter.com/helvering
Vimeo: vimeo.com/user146736659
The Daily Doug Directory: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1UEvcDKlhqywcJsJobs…
All Comments (21)
-
6:01 that growl is Steve's corgi dog, he's even credited in the album's notes
-
So much carry-over influence from his time with Frank Zappa. I love this album. Most of the stuff was based on his works-in-progress from the mid 80's, so I guess that would make sense.
-
I love that even though it’s Steve’s opener, he really lets Mohini blow the top off the opening. Showing he’s far more comfortable sharing the spotlight than early days. We know he’s a guitar god and he’s a benevolent one
-
Don't forget his release Flexible Leftovers! And yes, Mohini is becoming the pre-eminent young bassist on the scene today, her development has been astounding, and I love her merging of Indian musical culture with Western music. I would love to see her play with John McLaughlin, a match made in heaven, maybe with her incredible drum collaborator Gino Banks!
-
Yep definitely Zappa influence can be heard there and I also noticed Vai got some influence from his own old track Attitude Song as well, which you can hear at one point in there, which is kind of like his original "weird experimental song". Very similar progression and rhythm can be heard there, but in a new way. Very cool song indeed and very unusual as well.
-
Definitely hear a lot of Zappa influence in this song! Especially Zappa's "Jazz In Hell" album/period. I'll have to check out the rest of Mr. Vai's album. Thank you for bringing it to my attention Mr. Doug!
-
He did kind of a similar thing on the song, "little Green men." "Kill the guy with the ball" is another weird beginning you'll love. He plays it on guitar through a eventide h4000 and an expression pedal for the effect.
-
Steve's album "The Ultra Zone" is another masterpiece. If you liked this track, check out "Voodoo Acid" from The Ultra Zone. Steve plays EVERYTHING on that track as well as on the majority of the other tracks on the album. It may serve you (and us) well to do a full album review of The Ultra Zone.
-
Modern Primitive is one of my favorites now after initially disliking most most of the tracks. This album has so much personality & every track is a gem. Steve Vai rocks!
-
Steve Vai has a very creative mind that can take you anywhere, and I do mean anywhere musically, For me he is one of the most creative and unusual guitarists in the World and has been for 4 decades, he goes to places that most people have to be off their faces to reach but this is all in Steves head all the time. I remember first hearing him with Dave Lee Roth and being blown away, he still blows me away with his music.
-
This sounds like some late 70's fusion (you said it was composed around 1980 while working with Zappa?) crossed with Manhattan Transfer scat vocals and there are some Zappa touches thrown in for good measure. Absolutely AMAZING record!!!
-
You can't go wrong with Steve Vai (or Mohini Dey, apparently). This has an almost Art Of Noise feel to it.
-
I bought this album when it came out, and still thought of it as "the new Steve Vai album". Hearing you say it came out in 2016 hit me like a truck.😂
-
Good to hear you enjoyed the Mohini Dey story. She is remarkable, as you will find out in your research of her. Indian music is quite difficult in it's timing, etc.
-
The song sounds like played around a synth patch called Bop! 😅 Composition wise Steve really went full Zappa roots.
-
This is the most interesting stuff I heard from Vai for a while.
-
So many things to dig in Steve discography. When you listen again Sex&Religion with Devin Townsend for example, it's geniously composed.
-
I need to listen to this album some more. The section where you went what the hell was that had such a Zappa feel to it. And you need to listen to more Zappa. There can never be enough. Rock on, Doug.
-
Heavy Zappa influence. Also, it sounds like a cross between Zappa and ELP in the middle section.
-
Doug....your reaction was priceless <3 great reaction sir Syteve Vai is a soul slide into your own mind and its a wonderful thing to watch you take that ride with thee insight you bring
