Joe Satriani is often called “the people’s favourite guitarist.”
That is because his guitar work feels very natural. It is sincerely played, with an organic charm.
Take for example the title track ‘Shockwave Supernova’ on his new album, which is as surprising as a meteor that bursts from a black velvet evening cloud.
[You can see the NEW video for this, here.]
It has a classical feel, with bright explosions of guitar that seem to explode out-and-into the interstellar medium; (And it’s a super cosmic backcloth too, of bending drum-work and other stimulating orchestration.) This artist’s universal appeal is immediately clear. His work is like the very stardust we are made of.
‘Lost in Memory’ has a bubbling pace — a constant cascade.
Like the heartbeat of your local river, perhaps. As it winds through your neighbourhood. The guitar almost sprouts from the banks of this beat. Sometimes jumping higher — then crystal-clear it darts into the fringes.
Satriani gathered together his favourite musicians to collaborate on this beautiful album.
Mike Keneally (keys and guitars) Marco Minnemann (drums) and Bryan Beller (bass guitar.)
But for the ‘Crazy Joe’ track the rhythm is handled by Vinnie Colaiuta (drums) and Jane’s Addiction bassist — Chris Chaney.
On this track, the guitar is almost trying to talk to you. Attempting to clarify points. The bass notes sound reggae-based (Vinnie plays with Sting, so perhaps there is a link.) It’s a real Rompa-Stompa.
The great thing about Satch is that he does not get obsessed about the recording process or technical problems.
And although the album is superbly put-together (co-produced and engineered by John Cuniberti and recorded at Skywalker Sound in California) the love of his music just shines out. You can tell that Joe and his band mates just want to get into the groove. That is why this is so fluid.
Rock fans will particularly like the ‘Scarborough Stomp’ with tarnished organs and bleached-out guitar riffs.
The solo here seems particularly burned. Buzzed and hammered. Here are good times… Dreaming high.
We admired the decorative cortication of ‘Butterfly and Zebra’ — a small but perfectly formed samplet of verdigris guitar cleverly superimposed onto a membranous palette.
These songs do not dramatically lunge in… They are not trying to dominate their way into your speakers!
And, probably, that’s whole point of Satch’s work. He wants his song structures, ideas and motifs to crystallize gently. To grow — in productive symbiosis — so that the music shines a light on your own life experiences. And these tracks will come to enrich and enliven your spirit.
Never openly grand or especially fussy, here are complex works filled with potential healing. Musical blessings that you will allow into your life.
The songs here will give you a lasting peace, and ease your mind.
Shockwave Supernova – Joe Satriani is Out Now on CD, Download and Vinyl.
A World Tour begins this September 17th in Europe.
Words: @neilmach 2015 ©
Images: Chapman Baehler
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