Guitar titans JOE SATRIANI, ERIC JOHNSON and STEVE VAI have released their gold-standard very highly collectable G3 Reunion Live Album, on January 31, 2025, via earMusic.
The G3 Tour, launched in 1996 by SATRIANI, has showcased legendary guitarists such as Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, John Petrucci, Uli Jon Roth, Steve Lukather, Robert Fripp, and numerous others. The initial North American G3 tour showcased Satriani, Vai, and Johnson. That original G3 lineup is back with “Reunion Live,” a celebratory recording from The Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles.
The deluxe edition of the box-set features a different coloured vinyl for each artist, a special splatter LP for the encore jam, and a 64-page photo book, divided into artist and jam chapters, with the full program also on 2 CDs. It is also available in a 2CD digipack with a 16-page photo booklet and, 4 LP gatefold and digital download.
We had a listen to SATRIANI JOHNSON VAI — G3 REUNION LIVE:
JOE SATRIANI, a guitar virtuoso and cosmic powerhouse, consistently inspires listeners to challenge their preconceived notions of rock, showcasing innovative guitar techniques, rhythmic complexity, and a vibrant, energetic sound.
Globally celebrated Texas guitarist ERIC JOHNSON, known for his transcendent playing, employs music as a consciousness-raising force, weaving his breathtaking guitar work, complex patterns, and vibrant melodies to inspire and uplift listeners.
Each skilled magician produces impressive flames of incentive during the smoothly captivating solo transitions…
STEVE VAI’s eclectic and expressive playing is characterized by stunning coloraturas, vibrant tones, and intricate complexities within highly experimental, yet always approachable, progressive metal works.
Their joint skill is best demonstrated by the stunning, frequently liquid-gold needlework on ‘Crossroads‘ (G3 Live), which captures the essence of the original and the resonating vibrancy, delivering innumerable electric saws of energy to construct a holy cathedral of sound. Each skilled magician produces impressive flames of incentive during the smoothly captivating solo transitions. Remarkable!
The song ‘Spanish Castle Magic’ features the bluesy chords and captivating melodies of Hendrix, with each guitar legend – Satriani, Johnson, and Vai – delivering unique touches of brilliance to this much-loved re-working.
The efficacious glissandos, worrying keens, unbalanced yawps and groaning recitatives in Vai’s ‘Zeus In Chains’ create a glorious, somewhat Celtic sound. Clever undersongs and beautiful chromatics combine to create a harmonious blend of folk, rock, and the smoothest of smooth jazz fusion.
Eric Johnson’s ‘Righteous’ features an uplifting melody that elevates the song. Almost halfway, there’s a fantastic downswing that allows pure ambition to shine through his intricate threadwork.
While Satriani’s ‘Ninteen Eighty‘ evokes the 80s—think white suits, sockless loafers, and aerobics—with swirling guitar lines, heavy wah, and expressive whammy, creating a sound that comes across like a collage of textures. Dynamic!
And Satriani’s ‘Big Bad Moon’ is a radio-ready blending of soulful boogaloo, super-powerful riffs, and amazing guitar solos. This is galaxian!
Words: © Neil Mach
Main image: © Jen Rosenstein
Album link: https://g3reunionlive.lnk.to/Album
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