VaiUltraworld

	This European leg yielded the bulk of the songs for the Alive in an Ultra World dbl live CD. The only song Mike did not play on, was Whispering a Prayer. Mike did however record the 1st rehearsal of it. There was an average of 6 shows per week. The European Leg, hitting 32 countries in a row, contained soundchecks (turned song writing & rehearsal sessions) lasting as long or longer as the 2.5hr show. Eric Sardinas band was housed on the Vai band dbl-decker tour bus. On one hand, the touring scenario was tiring. From an artistic view, the musical versatility that encompasses this release is a very special thing. The end result was hardfought by all. The CD booklet does explain some of the recording's mechanical difficulties. Accordingly, extra work by Steve was necessary in the post recording phase. In the end, the spirit and the experience of it all does translate to the listener. The hope is that the beauty of cultural musical tastes meshed well with the band's execution, and what the machines were able to capture. The greatest thing is the spirit of the people bleeding into the tracks. Really great stuff.

This European leg yielded the bulk of the songs for the Alive in an Ultra World dbl live CD. The only song Mike did not play on, was Whispering a Prayer. Mike did however record the 1st rehearsal of it.

There was an average of 6 shows per week. The European Leg, hitting 32 countries in a row, contained soundchecks (turned song writing & rehearsal sessions) lasting as long or longer as the 2.5hr show. Eric Sardinas band was housed on the Vai band dbl-decker tour bus.

On one hand, the touring scenario was tiring. From an artistic view, the musical versatility that encompasses this release is a very special thing. The end result was hardfought by all. The CD booklet does explain some of the recording's mechanical difficulties.

Accordingly, extra work by Steve was necessary in the post recording phase. In the end, the spirit and the experience of it all does translate to the listener. The hope is that the beauty of cultural musical tastes meshed well with the band's execution, and what the machines were able to capture.

The greatest thing is the spirit of the people bleeding into the tracks. Really great stuff.

The 1st Ultra Zone tour was massive trek through the USA. The band added management intern, Dave Weiner, to 3rd guitar duties for Dave's 1st tour. It started in Denver and blasted north through Canada, across it, down the east USA coast to Florida, then back across the continent ending at the House of Blues in Los Angeles close to all the members homes.		It was the 1st tour that the Opal kit with gold hardware was used. Also, it was the 1st tour that Mike sang background vocals. This was a bold move by Vai as Mike doesn't sing well (to say the least.) However, he managed to last with the headset all the through the Ultra World tour.
This Australian & New Zealand tour was the beginning of the International Ultra Legs. Below is the 1999 rehearsal kit at the Mothership
an alternate kit for a day	A look at Magee from the Throne. He had to manage the electronic whirlwind of timing that was blasting into Mike's inner ear monitors.	This is the kit used for the European Ultra Zone Tour. The far left drum in the mini snare. The toms are in the usual apex shape- from left to right: 14,8,6,10,18 inches. The coated amb. heads sounded huge and defined in the venues. Being on a tour, they also lasted a bit longer. The range of toms sizes from 6 to 18 inches provided an acceptable scheme for adapting all the previously recorded Vai tracks with 7 toms.
A Set List for 1 Japanese show		That is Blood & Glory taped to the cymbal stand.

The 1st Ultra Zone tour was massive trek through the USA. The band added management intern, Dave Weiner, to 3rd guitar duties for Dave's 1st tour. It started in Denver and blasted north through Canada, across it, down the east USA coast to Florida, then back across the continent ending at the House of Blues in Los Angeles close to all the members homes.

It was the 1st tour that the Opal kit with gold hardware was used. Also, it was the 1st tour that Mike sang background vocals. This was a bold move by Vai as Mike doesn't sing well (to say the least.) However, he managed to last with the headset all the through the Ultra World tour.

This Australian & New Zealand tour was the beginning of the International Ultra Legs.

Below is the 1999 rehearsal kit at the Mothership

an alternate kit for a day

A look at Magee from the Throne. He had to manage the electronic whirlwind of timing that was blasting into Mike's inner ear monitors.

This is the kit used for the European Ultra Zone Tour. The far left drum in the mini snare. The toms are in the usual apex shape- from left to right: 14,8,6,10,18 inches. The coated amb. heads sounded huge and defined in the venues. Being on a tour, they also lasted a bit longer.

The range of toms sizes from 6 to 18 inches provided an acceptable scheme for adapting all the previously recorded Vai tracks with 7 toms.

A Set List for 1 Japanese show

That is Blood & Glory taped to the cymbal stand.