Here's what Al Di Meola had to say when asked what he thought of people who put down speed players as having "no feeling". "That's ridiculous, they're just jealous. Tell that to a flamenco or classical player and they'll laugh at you.". It's so true.

Why is it that whenever some guitarists think of the word "feeling" they automatically picture some fat blues player bending a string up two frets? Don't get me wrong, I love blues, but to base your definition of feeling around ONE particular sound in one particular genre is just wrong. Like Bardsley said, "feeling" is a phantom term, it's relative and intangible. Who's feelings are you describing when you're talking about "feeling", your own feelings induced by the music or the feeling that you're picturing the musician experiencing? Maybe you're picturing B.B. King leaning into a huge bend with sweat running down his brow, eyes shut in passion, and this hits you as having more feeling then a classical player playing Pachabels Canon (spelling?).
Pachabel's Canon was just the first example that came to my mind; the fact is that beautifully intricate music that is both fast and has feeling very much exists, but people have to get over this so-called "blues complex" that makes us think that only slow, predictable bends can move us.

As for Vai, I never liked really liked him until I made a seroius effort to get to know him. The song "Tender Surrender and perhaps For the Love of God" are two amazing examples of emotion and speed working together. I felt it, and whats more HE felt it (I saw the video, the guy plays the guitar as if it's an extension of his body, very organically and VERY powerfully).