Joe Satriani: Satriani Live!
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Movie Reviews of Joe Satriani: Satriani Live!
Movie Review: Satch stretches out!
Summary: 5 Stars
Previous reviews make the point about the subpar camera work quite clear - 'nuff said.
I've been a Satch fanantic for 20 years now[!!]. I have everything he's ever done and while I especially love his work in the late '80's with Stu Hamm and Rod Morgenstern [what I call Joe's "Golden Age" - check out the live B-side of the "Dreaming #11" EP], I love everything Joe puts out. But I must admit that this new double-DVD set is really exceptional, primarily because IMHO we finally get to see and hear Joe stretch out musically.
While "Live In SF" was fantastic, at times I felt it was a bit too clean and polished, almost antisceptic-feeling, and that the song renditions were, for the most part, too-perfect perfomances of the studio tracks. Not a whole lot of musical improvisation overall. But this new LIVE! DVD really caught Joe and company extending themselves, especially on some of the older stuff.
I also feel the same as others did about having too many versions of Satch-standards like "Flying...", "Always...", and "Summer Song", but on this DVD, all the oldies have been stretched out Joe breathes new life on everything. Go and listen to "Circles", the extended ending improv on "Always...", the swinging, jazzy feel of "Cool#9", the exceptionally moody intro to "Flying..." - all the old stuff simply rocks and feels so incredibly fresh because Joe's pushed things around, changed things up and flexes those fingers.
As for the Super Colossal heavy set-list. Overall, I very much like the new studio CD [though for me too, Crystal Planet is still one of my favorites], but yes, I too would have preferred to have a better mix of tracks from throughout the Satch catalog. You can't please everyone! But again Joe's performance on the new stuff here just makes me laugh...he is just so damn good it is scary. Every tune from the studio CD is simply phenomenal on this live set, especially the ripping "One Robot's Dream", "Cool New Way" and "Redshift Riders" [a track I only like on the studio version, but just love here]. Oh and I do like the fact that he left the few guitar-ooopsies on "Redshift" on the final mix - it proves Joe to be human after all!
I've been lucky enough to see Joe play live 30+ times over the last couple of decades. I even got a chance to meet and talk with him and the boys [everything you hear and read about Joe is absolutely true - he is completely missing the all the "I'm a rockstar" and "Yes, I am a guitar-god" genes]. And every time I see him play live, I come away knowing I've just seen a guy doing something he absolutely loves. Joe truly is a master of the instrument.
Buy this DVD. Buy the CD. Watch and listen carefully. I really think you will hear stuff here from Joe that hasn't been captured live before.
Movie Review: not Eric Johnson's band...
Summary: 5 Stars
Just a note: this is not Eric Johnson's band backing Joe. Jeff Campitelli (drums), Galen Henson (Guitar) are Joe's regular bandmates. Dave LaRue (amazing bass player) is in Stu Hamm's spot as bass player.
If you like the "Satriani -Live in San Francisco" dvd you will like this dvd as well. It is true about the cameramen -most cameramen unfortunately are not guitarists. We guitarists know when the solo is coming and are expecting that the camera will be glued to Joe's fingers! For myself I would never want the camera anywhere else but on Joe. So the way to do it would be having multiple camera angles with one camera on Joe at all times (a guitarist speaking).It would be nice if the cameramen were Joe Satriani fans and were familiar with his work. But this still is a great dvd and camerwork was not a distraction to me. Now my opinion could be slanted because I've seen "Cream - Live at the Albert Hall 1968"(on VHS)! I screamed with frustation when I first saw this concert on VHS! While Clapton was doing an amazing solo the cameraman was filming Jack Bruce's head!!! This man should be located and shot(and if he is already dead lets dig his bones up and burn them)! :-) Another example is the filming of the recently released "Blind Faith Live". We see more of the crowd than we do the band, such a shame.
Conclusion: don't miss this one if you are a Joe Satriani fan.
Movie Review: Great DVD Concert
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought this was a great concert DVD. Joe has a core list of songs that he plays in concert and these are all present along with many from the new CD "Super Colossal". I consider SC to contain some of his best *live* music and it made sense for him to film a DVD supporting it. Joe brought in a new bass player for this tour and I enjoyed listening/watching him play as well as the rest of the group.
The comments regarding production values actually made me hesitate buying this, but I am glad I did not let them dissuade me in the end. I go see Joe whenever he makes his rounds and I generally get up close to watch him play. This is a much different experience than sitting in the living room watching a DVD. The DVD gives you a chance to watch the entire band and experience the show from many different angles. I guess if anything could be taken from the comments below is that maybe Joe should include an optional camera-angle that never leaves him for viewers to toggle to.
If you do not already own it, I would suggest the concert filmed in San Francisco as an alternative although I highly recommend watching both.
Movie Review: This needs more than 5 stars.
Summary: 5 Stars
What an awesome DVD. There isn't much to add that others have not already mentioned, but if there was a rating higher than 5 this would get my vote. It's 2 hours of some of his greatest work. I guess if I had to be critical I would have to say this would have been a stellar DVD to have in your collection if Joe had used Stu Hamm on bass guitar. However, I bought it to see Joe, and man did he show up ready to play! He can be melodic, maniacal, and subtle all in the same song. His range has improved greatly when compared to some of his other concerts. I've been playing for years, and I can tell you the notes he plays didn't come on any of my guitars! :-)
Joe shows his creativity and does so with professionalism and ease. I've seen him in concert a number of times and I can tell you he runs a tight ship and a very professional show. He is a true purist when it comes to music.
Simply awesome!
Movie Review: Satriani is the best.
Summary: 5 Stars
His guitar playing and his songs thrill and overwhelm. Once, Joe was asked what he wanted to accomplish in his life and he said something like "I want to make and play the most beautiful music anyone has ever heard".
His playing, his rifts, his phrasing is exhilliarating (I probably spelled it wrong - sorry). This performance on this dvd is breathtaking.
I have listened to and watched this guy for about 20 years now and I am always amazed at his skill.
The dvd set includes a second dvd with his concert in India. He is ADORED in India. They asked these Indian kids what they found most impressive about Joe and they said "His speed and his shiny bald head".
Satriani is a treasure. This is one of his finest dvds.