JOE SATRIANI, STEVE VAI, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN- G3 ROCKIN' IN THE FREE WORLD

This is the second of the G3 CDs and a fine double CD set it is indeed. As always, we have 3 legends of virtuoso electric guitar for the ultimate guitar fest. The production is great for a live album, and we get a great set list too.

Joe Satriani begins with the heavy rocker The Extremist, and he does well here with his blistering guitar work. Cyrstal Planet is somewhat more moody and maybe a little more emotional too, again a great song. Always With Me, Always with you has always been of my favorite Satriani songs, and this live version is even better than the studio album. The attention to detail he puts into the guitar work in this song is astounding and it just has an incredible vibe, which adds up to the remarkable beauty of this song. Midnight is even better than the studio version, and always feels so moody from the start to end. The Mystical Potato Head Groove Thing is perhaps more remarkable to see in a live DVD or in a live show, but nonetheless still a powerful song, which is so fun to listen to and has remarkable technical moments throughout.

Vai's set could have been better to be honest, but was still good. You're Here is very melodic and tasteful, and features Vai's vocals, and is a great listen. The Reaper was not a bad song, but it just seemed to drag on, and the only that might somewhat save it is the cool guitar solo medley, featuring solos from previous records, that he does during the song. Whispering a Prayer has always been a favorite of mine, and I love how he makes changes to each version of the song, yet they never make the song any less than the original version. This is a beautiful piece of music that will steal your heart from start to finish with a majestic guitar solo that despite its speed will grab you with the superb note choice. Easily the best of his set.

Malmsteen's set is absolutely shredding, but still wasn't as good as either Joe or Vai's set. I love all the songs here, don't get me wrong, but they don't always seem to grab my emotions as quickly and/or effectively as Vai and Satch's sets and there seems something odd about the rendition of Red House, from his voice to the guitar that doesn't always seem entirely fitting. I would say Finale is my favorite of his set list.

The jam is sheer brilliance, for a lack of a better descriptive phrase. Voodoo Child has Malmsteen on vocals, and he has a rough fairly harsh voice, but it seems to work better than you expect. The guitars are blazing, yet still firey with emotion, but if there is a beef, it's that Malmsteen could put some more twists in his solos.

Little Wing is fronted by Vai for vocals and the intro guitar part, and he does well here. Steve's first solo has that crazy one hand tapping style lick that he does, but it always grabs me and feels so right in the musical context. Satch's first solo seems to one up him in the emotion department. The way he phrases his licks just spend shivers down my spine and lift me up so high. Amazing stuff.

Rockin' In The Free World just rocks, with some great guitar fills during the verse. The chorus is very uplifting and despite Satch's limited capability on vocals he sings it well and it sounds very suitable in the context. The solos soar high and above your average shred fest, a testament to the skill and passion of the 3 Gs. It will no doubt leave your emotions stirred from start to end, and even after the song is finished my spine still tingles.

This is not as good as the DVD version, but still a great G3 performance.