JOE SATRIANI, ERIC JOHNSON, STEVE VAI - G3 LIVE IN CONCERT

This isn't the shred-fest you would think it would be. Oh sure there is a lot of solos that at times are done at the speed of light but there is also a lot of slower, intricate, and at times soaring guitar melodies. On this disc we are treated to Satriani, Johnson and Vai each doing three of their own songs with musicians helping out, while the final three songs they all join in to play three cover songs.12 songs in total.

Satriani gets things started with "Cool No.9" a slower paced song that picks it up a couple of notches 3 minutes in. Satriani is grooving now in this great song. "Flying In A blue Dream" starts off so beautifully.The guitar is played so tastefully and wonderfully, and if I could feel this song I would describe it as a warm summer's breeze. "Summer Song" rocks as Satriani lights it up ! Satriani and his bass player trade solos in this one. Eric Johnson's turn and he starts it off with "Zap" and right away there is a huge difference in the sound and style of his guitar playing compared with Satriani. He has more of a blues flavour and the tone of his guitar is warm and softer. The drummer almost steals the show in this song.

"Manhattan" features some good bass playing while Johnson plays such a warm and subtle melody. His final tune "Camel's Night Out" has some nice intricate playing on it. Vai's turn as he opens with "Answers" and some killer licks while "For The Love Of God" is more laid back with some beautiful soaring guitar. The song ends with some experimental sounds."The Attitude Song" is a song i'm very familiar with, as it was the music for the intro on a news rock radio show I used to listened to faithfully years ago. Some scalding solos in this one. They all get together to do a Jeff Beck song called "Going Down" and it's pretty powerful with all three guys playing guitar. Satriani is on vocals. "My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama" is a Frank Zappa tune that opens with heavy guitar that softens quickly as the vocals come in. Again a great full sound. "Red House" is a Hendrix song and is of course very bluesy, nice solo from Johnson 3 minutes in.

All in all I like this release a lot but then i'm a big guitar fan. I noticed Mike Keneally who plays with Vai on this record says "Thanks Frank Zappa forever".