2005 Steve Vai – Real Illusions: Reflections

Bill Reichenbach, Billy Sheehan, Dan Higgins, Gary Grant, Greg Bissonette, Jerry Hey, Larry Williams, Steve Vai

Real Illusions: Reflections is the seventh studio album by guitar virtuoso Steve Vai, released on February 22, 2005, through Epic Records. Vai describes the album as a “rock fable,” serving as the first installment of a planned trilogy. The narrative follows a “truth-seeking madman” and a godsent figure named Pamposh, who visits a town to construct a mysterious “Church”. Each track represents a vignette of this complex story, further explored in the sequel, The Story of Light (2012).

Tracks

1 Building The Church (Steve Vai)
2 Dying For Your Love (Steve Vai)
3 Glorious (Steve Vai)
4 K’m-Pee-Du-Wee (Steve Vai)
5 Firewall (Steve Vai)
6 Freak Show Excess (Steve Vai)
7 Lotus Feet (Steve Vai)
8 Yai Yai (Steve Vai)
9 Midway Creatures (Steve Vai)
10 I’m Your Secrets (Steve Vai)
11 Under It All (Steve Vai)

Musicians

Bass	Billy Sheehan
Drums	Jeremy Colson
Guitars	Steve Vai
All Other Instruments	Steve Vai

Other Musicians

4 K’m-Pee-Du-Wee

Percussion	Gregg Bissonette
Percussion	Jeremy Colson

5 Firewall

Sax	Dan Higgins
Sax	Larry Williams
Trombone	Bill Reichenbach
Trombone	Charlie Loper
Trumpet	Gary Grant
Trumpet	Jerry Hey
Percussion	Gregg Bissonette
Percussion	Jeremy Colson
Background Vocals	Stacy Ellis

6 Freak Show Excess

Percussion	Gregg Bissonette
Percussion	Jeremy Colson

7 Lotus Feet

Bass	Brian Beller
Piano	Chris Opperman

10 I’m Your Secrets

Percussion	Gregg Bissonette
Percussion	Jeremy Colson

11 Under It All

Harp

Pia Vai

Orchestra – Metropole Orkest (Track 7)

Voice – Fire Vai, Jeff Mallard, Laurel Fishman, Len Birman, Michael Mesker, Ruby Birman, Thomas Nordegg (Track 11)

Liner Notes

Producer – Steve Vai
Conductor – Dick Bakker (Track 7)
Engineer – Steve Vai
Engineer (Assistant) – Neil Citron, Paul Bliven
Mixed By – Steve Vai
Orchestrated By – David Kole (Track 7)

Cover Art – Andrea Cobb
Design – Michael Lau-Robles

Mastered At Bernie Grundman Mastering
Recorded At The Mothership Studio, Hollywood
Recorded At The Harmony Hut, Encino
Recorded Live At De Oosterpoort, Holland
Recorded Live At Paradiso Amsterdam, Holland
Phonographic Copyright Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Copyright Sony BMG Music Entertainment