New releases from Joe Satriani in my eyes are a major event. His musical output is steady and always of a quality way ahead of other artists in the genre of guitar instrumental music (apart from his one time pupil Steve Vai). This latest album is a live double CD set recorded on May 3rd 2006 at The Grove in Anaheim, California. Before reviewing the album it’s worth recapping on Joe’s “official” live releases as a solo artist. Back in 1988 we had three live tracks on the “Dreaming #11” EP and for some of us this was the first taste of Joe in full flight. In 1992 the “Time Machine” album was released as a two CD package consisting of one CD of unreleased material and the second being a cracking live show. At this stage the UK had been able to catch Joe live in the flesh and when in 2001 the “Live In San Francisco” double CD was released Joe was a regular live act on these shores in a solo capacity and as the leader on the numerous G3 tours. Now in 2006 we have his latest double CD “Satriani Live". This is a storming 19 track set. Nine tracks come from “Super Colossal” which is not surprising as Joe was touring and promoting behind this release. The remaining 10 tracks are taken from previous albums “The Extremist," Surfing With The Alien"," Flying In A Blue Dream” and “Joe Satriani”. Sadly there is nothing from “Is There Love In Space" or “Strange Beautiful Music”. Other albums such as “Crystal Planet” and “Engines Of Creation” are well represented on “Live In San Francisco”.

I was lucky enough to see Joe on his “Super Colossal” tour whilst on the UK leg at Newcastle City hall (if you want to know what it was like go to this websites' gig review section and read all about it). I remember thinking “I hope someone records this tour”, as Joe's playing was just on another level.

The album kicks off with “Redshift Riders” and not “Flying In A Blue Dream” as labelled on the packaging. The first thing I noticed is Joe’s sound is massive and has evolved from his previous live outings. There is a gorgeous, fizzy separation on his power chords and notes and overall the sound is really organic. I put this down to Joes use of his signature Peavey JSX amps.

Next up is “The Extremist” where Joe plays guitar and harmonica. This is one of my favourite Satriani tracks and his whammy bar inflected playing always gives me smile. Track 3 is “Flying In A Blue Dream” and it has an extended intro where Joe dances around his fretboard and when the song kicks in you instantly transport back in time to the first time you heard this song and say to yourself “this is still as cool as it was back then". At this point it’s worth noting that on bass Joe now has Dave La Rue instead of Stu Hamm. Dave La Rue will be well known to a lot of people as the bassist for the incredible “Dixie Dregs” and his normal guitar sidekick is the incomparable Steve Morse. As “Cool#9” begins with some DJ style scratching on the guitar it slowly evolves into a great bit of interplay between bass and guitar, which we haven’t seen or heard on previous “Satch” outings. This particular track is a scorcher and Joe plays the living daylights out of his whammy pedal." A Cool New Way” shows Joe at his melodic best and creatively using harmonics. When “Satch Boogie” launches one senses Joe is loosened up and the party is just getting started. This song is now truly a rock instrumental classic and on this version Dave La Rue gives the song a great party feel with his lively and rhythmic playing. When Joe reaches the tapped “axis” notes one feels this line-up is a band that Joe can really “rock” with." Super Colossal” is followed by “Just Like Lightning” and  Joe has the audience in the palm of his hands as they clap along." Ice 9” thunders in with its mighty riff and Joe plays some of his wildest whammy playing and demonstrates his “lizard down the neck” sounds. Again this track benefits from Dave La Rue really getting under the skin of the track. The first CD ends with the trippy “One Robots Dream". This is space age funky guitar, which only the likes of Joe Satriani can create. Strange melodies collide with out of this world techniques .At this stage I Put CD 2 straight into the hi-fi as the band are really cooking and one can’t wait to see where they take you next.

Joe takes it down a step with “Ten Words". This track shows Joe as a writer of songs who always keeps melody to the front. This is a moving song and Joe’s guitar truly speaks notes of hope. With “Mystical Potato Head Groove Thing” Joe gets back to full on guitar maestro playing and I still get goose bumps when Joe does his amazing six string traverse across the strings with his picking hand behind his fretting hand. You know the bit I mean! This song is again evolving into a super guitar chops rock song and really suits the heavier approach. The extended play out is superb with some sweep picked guitar insanity." The Meaning Of Love” and “Made Of Tears” calm proceedings down a little and one can revel once more in how controlled Joes playing can be. The melodic jamming and development in the band is inspirational . One of the highlights of the show I saw was the incredible performance of “Circles” and on this release we have a pretty accurate version of how I remember it. This is one of Joes all time epic songs. This version is heavier and more on “the edge of your set” than other live recordings I've heard of this track. The band truly “jam out” towards the end and if you’re listening carefully you will hear snippets of “The Enigmatic"." Always With Me Always With You” follows and it is one of guitardoms most melodic tracks ever. It also benefits from a super-extended ending. Simply amazing. Joe treats us to a supercharged rendition of “Surfing With The Alien". Guitar rock was never more fun than this. As mentioned earlier Joes current live line-up give this track “balls” and Jeff Campitelli puts in a powerhouse performance on drums.

Next up is Joe’s new crowd pleaser “Crowd Chant” destined to become a regular at concerts in the future. Joe trades melodies on his guitar with the audience.I think this shows perfectly that Joe can really make a guitar talk. The album peaks with the closer “Summer Song". Joe gives it a new introduction in the form of a modern Led Zeppelin style jam.

This album is guitar instrumental entertainment at the highest level. I really believe the introduction of Dave La Rue has had a major part to play in this new revitalised Satriani sound. This line-up really “rock” and stretch out and some of the most rewarding parts of the show are when Joe strays from the plot big style. This CD is also out as a double DVD release and for those people who may be thinking about just getting the DVD version I would say “please get theCD version as well”. If you’ve seen Joe live putting the c.d on takes you back and lets you relive the gig you saw. I guess the only solution is to buy them both.

Joe Satriani fans will lap this CD up and the new generation of rock guitar players who may pick it up to see what Satriani is about will be blown away.

Let us know your views on 'Satriani Live'

Track List

Flying In A Blue Dream
Extremist
Redshift Riders
Cool #9
Cool New Way
Satch Boogie
Super Colossal
Just Like Lightnin'
Ice 9
One Robot's Dream
Ten Words
Mystical Potato Head Groove Thing
Meaning Of Love
Made Of Tears
Circles
Always With Me Always With You
Surfing With The Alien
Crowd Chant
Summer Song