Real Illusions: Reflections
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.
Described by Vai as "rock fable", Real Illusions: Reflections is the first part of a three-part concept album about a town visited by the godsent Pamposh and his construction of the Church. "Lotus Feet", purposely designated as track seven and recorded live during three separate concerts in the Netherlands during Vai's 2004 "Aching Hunger Tour", was nominated for Best Rock Instrumental Performance at the 2006 Grammy Awards. Vai cites Bulgarian wedding music as having inspired "Freak Show Excess".
Background
This work is a concept album and, according to Vai, marks the beginning of a trilogy. Seven years later, the second part of the trilogy, The Story of Light, was released. The recording of the album featured Billy Sheehan and Gregg Bissonette, who had previously worked with Vai in David Lee Roth's band.Among the tracks, only "Lotus Feet" was recorded live. It was compiled from recordings of three performances in the Netherlands and features a collaboration with the local orchestra, the Metropole Orchestra.
Critical reception
Sean Westergaard at AllMusic gave Real Illusions: Reflections a positive review, listing "K'm-Pee-Du-Wee", "Firewall", "Yai Yai", "Freak Show Excess" and "Lotus Feet" as highlights. He also remarked favorably about Vai's singing: "As a vocalist, he's gotten way more confident, and while it's doubtful his singing will ever be the primary attraction, he does a fine job here."Track listing
Personnel
- Steve Vai – lead vocals, guitar, all instrumentation, engineering, mixing, production
- Jeremy Colson – drums, percussion, additional percussion
- Gregg Bissonette – percussion, additional percussion
- Billy Sheehan – bass
- Bryan Beller – bass
- Jerry Hey – trumpet
- Gary Grant – trumpet
- Dan Higgins – saxophone
- Larry Williams – saxophone
- Bill Reichenbach, Jr. – trombone
- Charlie Loper – trombone
- Stacy Ellis – background vocals
- Metropole Orkest – orchestra
- Chris Opperman – piano
- Pia Vai – harp
- Fire Vai – spoken vocals
- Laurel Fishman – spoken vocals
- Ruby Birman – spoken vocals
- Len Birman – spoken vocals
- Jeff Mallard – spoken vocals
- Michael Mesker – spoken vocals
- Thomas Nordegg – spoken vocals
- David Kole – orchestration
- Dick Bakker – conducting
- Neil Citron – engineering assistance
- Paul Bliven – engineering assistance
- Bernie Grundman – mastering
Chart performance