Mexican guitarist Rafael Flores stuns Steve Vai by playing For The Love Of God on two guitars

[Judi Lynn]

Mexican guitarist Rafael Flores stuns Steve Vai by playing For The Love Of God on two guitars simultaneously

By Jonathan Horsley published 2 days ago

Flores spent three years adapting the arrangement for two guitars and says performing it for Vai was "a dream come true"



Steve Vai and Rafael Flores
(Image credit: Steve Vai / Instagram)

Steve Vai turned up for his gig at the Teatro Metropólitan in Mexico City on 21 June and was greeted by the sight of a local guitarist playing one signature track For The Love Of God with a twist – he performed it on two electric guitars at once.

This, apparently, is Rafael Flores’ specialty. He is a dual-guitar legato master whose two-handed tapping skills are beyond reproach. Some guitarists might reach for the convenience of the double-neck; Vai certainly has on many an occasion. But not Flores. He just has two custom Ortiz Murcio double-cuts, equipped with a Seymour Duncan humbucker pairing, and makes the magic happen, juggling them both on their guitar straps.

As the keeper of the triple-necked Hydra, Vai, of all people, would acknowledge that. Game recognises game, and Vai, taking a video of the performance for Instagram, described Flores as a “wonderful man” and his take on the Passion And Warfare classic as a “lovely rendition”.

- video at link -

As Flores revealed in the comments, it took him three years to put it together. Vai is not the first guitarist whose material Flores has adapted for two guitars – sorry, two simultaneous guitars. He has reworked Always With Me, Always With You by Vai’s mentor Jo:e Satriani, and Something by the Beatles.

More:
https://www.musicradar.com/news/mexican-guitarist-steve-vai-for-the-love-of-god-two-guitars

[EarnestPutz]

1. Best thing I've seen on the internet in quite a while. And then I was somewhat surprised (shouldn't.

.....have been) to see it was from my old friend Judi Lynn. Very nice. Thnx.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Don't know how he manages to do that! I never expected to stumble across anything like it.

Can't imagine what came over him! Can't guess what the reaction was with the first person who heard and saw him doing it.

Have no idea how hard it must be to get control over two of those instruments!

So glad you gave it a hearing. Thank you for taking the time, EarnestPutz!

[cynical_idealist]

3. also check out Felix Martin....

[Judi Lynn]

4. Amazing musician! Wow.

Have listened to various songs after seeing your recommendation.

Had to try to find out where he filmed the first one I tried. Learned he is Venezuelan, he's ambidextrous, and he created his instruments he uses. The first song I heard indicated he was very familiar with Spanish guitar music, and that hooked me. He would be a skilled classical musician, by all means.

Here's the unusual one I heard first:

At this link, in the pink box under the words "Listen to Caracas" there are 6 great songs which simply play with no video and they're excellent. He most definitely is in a class of his own, isn't he?

https://blog.ernieball.com/music/16-string-shredder-felix-martin-releases-new-album-caracas/

Thanks for recommending this music. Fascinating!