# Real Illusions: Reflections

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***Real Illusions: Reflections*** is the seventh studio album by guitarist [Steve Vai](/source/Steve_Vai), released on February 22, 2005, through [Epic Records](/source/Epic_Records).[1] The album reached No. 147 on the U.S. [*Billboard* 200](/source/Billboard_200),[2] as well as No. 88 on the [Dutch albums chart](/source/MegaCharts) and No. 110 on the [French albums chart](/source/Syndicat_National_de_l'%C3%89dition_Phonographique).[3]

Described by Vai as "rock fable",[1] *Real Illusions: Reflections* is the first part of a three-part [concept album](/source/Concept_album) about a town visited by the godsent Pamposh and his construction of the Church.[4] "Lotus Feet", purposely designated as track seven (see *[The Seventh Song](/source/The_Seventh_Song)*) and recorded live during three separate concerts in the Netherlands during Vai's 2004 "Aching Hunger Tour", was nominated for [Best Rock Instrumental Performance](/source/Grammy_Award_for_Best_Rock_Instrumental_Performance) at the [2006 Grammy Awards](/source/48th_Annual_Grammy_Awards).[5] Vai cites [Bulgarian wedding music](/source/Bulgarian_wedding_music) as having inspired "Freak Show Excess".[6]

## Critical reception

Sean Westergaard at [AllMusic](/source/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."[1]

## Personnel

- [Steve Vai](/source/Steve_Vai) – lead vocals, guitar, all instrumentation (except where noted), [engineering](/source/Audio_engineer), [mixing](/source/Mixing_engineer), [production](/source/Record_producer)
- [Jeremy Colson](/source/Jeremy_Colson) – drums, percussion (track 5), additional percussion (tracks 4, 6, 10)
- [Gregg Bissonette](/source/Gregg_Bissonette) – percussion (track 5), additional percussion (tracks 4, 6, 10)
- [Billy Sheehan](/source/Billy_Sheehan) – bass
- [Bryan Beller](/source/Bryan_Beller) – bass (track 7)
- [Jerry Hey](/source/Jerry_Hey) – trumpet (track 5)
- Gary Grant – trumpet (track 5)
- [Dan Higgins](/source/Dan_Higgins) – saxophone (track 5)
- Larry Williams – saxophone (track 5)
- [Bill Reichenbach, Jr.](/source/Bill_Reichenbach,_Jr.) – trombone (track 5)
- Charlie Loper – trombone (track 5)
- Stacy Ellis – background vocals (track 5)
- [Metropole Orkest](/source/Metropole_Orkest) – orchestra (track 7)
- [Chris Opperman](/source/Chris_Opperman) – piano (track 7)
- [Pia Vai](/source/Pia_Maiocco) – harp (track 11)
- Fire Vai – spoken vocals (track 11)
- Laurel Fishman – spoken vocals (track 11)
- Ruby Birman – spoken vocals (track 11)
- Len Birman – spoken vocals (track 11)
- Jeff Mallard – spoken vocals (track 11)
- Michael Mesker – spoken vocals (track 11)
- Thomas Nordegg – spoken vocals (track 11)
- David Kole – orchestration (track 7)
- Dick Bakker – conducting (track 7)
- [Neil Citron](/source/Neil_Citron) – engineering assistance
- Paul Bliven – engineering assistance
- [Bernie Grundman](/source/Bernie_Grundman) – [mastering](/source/Mastering_engineer)

## Chart performance

Year Chart Position 2005 Billboard Independent Albums 15[2] Dutch albums chart 88[3] French albums chart 110[3] Billboard 200 147[2] Billboard Top Internet Albums 147[2] Greek Albums 25[7]

## Awards

Event Title Award Result 2006 Grammys "Lotus Feet" Best Rock Instrumental Performance Nominated[5]

## References

1. Westergaard, Sean. ["Real Illusions: Reflections - Steve Vai"](http://www.allmusic.com/album/real-illusions-reflections-mw0000261218). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. Retrieved 2014-12-12.

1. ["Real Illusions: Reflections - Steve Vai | Awards"](http://www.allmusic.com/album/real-illusions-reflections-mw0000261218/awards). *AllMusic*. Retrieved 2014-12-12.

1. ["Steve Vai - Real Illusions: Reflections (album)"](http://finnishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Steve+Vai&titel=Real+Illusions%3A+Reflections&cat=a). *finnishcharts.com*. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2014-01-10.

1. [Vai, Steve](/source/Steve_Vai) (2005). ["Inside Real Illusions: Reflections"](http://www.vai.com/minisites/realillusions/index.html). vai.com. Retrieved 2014-12-12.

1. ["48th Grammy Awards - 2006"](http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2006/grammys.htm). Rock On The Net. Retrieved 2014-12-12.

1. [rkkrah](https://www.youtube.com/user/rkkrah) (2008-03-03). ["Steve Vai demonstration - Freak Show Excess"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDx6dtr2T50). [YouTube](/source/YouTube). Retrieved 2014-12-12. [dead link]

1. [Ελληνικό Chart](https://web.archive.org/web/20050930224819/http://www.ifpi.gr/chart01.htm)

## External links

- [In Review: Steve Vai "Real Illusions: Reflections"](http://www.guitar9.com/realillusions.html) at Guitar Nine Records

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Real Illusions: Reflections](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Illusions%3A_Reflections) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Illusions%3A_Reflections?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.