..G3 Malmsteen, Vai, Satriani Wed.12.Nov.2003...

.....s...p...a...c...e..... SEPARATION Visual Breathing Room !~SCROLL DOWN~! pageDown !~DOWN~! Index TOC metaContent MUSIC Live in Concert ROCK review !~Fortissimo~! G3 1997 Satriani VAI Fripp KWS Crystal Planet SATRIANI Jefferson Starship BOC G3 2003 .....s...p...a...c...e..... SEPARATION Visual Breathing Room !~SCROLL DOWN~! pageDown !~DOWN~! Index TOC metaContent MUSIC Live in Concert ROCK review !~Fortissimo~! G3 1997 Satriani VAI Fripp KWS Crystal Planet SATRIANI Jefferson Starship BOC G3 2003 .....s...p...a...c...e..... SEPARATION Visual Breathing Room !~SCROLL DOWN~! pageDown !~DOWN~! Index TOC metaContent MUSIC Live in Concert ROCK review !~Fortissimo~! G3 1997 Satriani VAI Fripp KWS Crystal Planet SATRIANI Jefferson Starship BOC G3 2003 .....s...p...a...c...e..... SEPARATION Visual Breathing Room !~SCROLL DOWN~! pageDown !~DOWN~! Index TOC metaContent MUSIC Live in Concert ROCK review !~Fortissimo~! G3 1997 Satriani VAI Fripp KWS Crystal Planet SATRIANI Jefferson Starship BOC G3 2003 .....s...p...a...c...e..... SEPARATION Visual Breathing Room !~SCROLL DOWN~! pageDown !~DOWN~! Index TOC metaContent MUSIC Live in Concert ROCK review !~Fortissimo~! G3 1997 Satriani VAI Fripp KWS Crystal Planet SATRIANI Jefferson Starship BOC G3 2003 .....s...p...a...c...e..... SEPARATION Visual Breathing Room !~SCROLL DOWN~! pageDown !~DOWN~! Index TOC metaContent MUSIC Live in Concert ROCK review !~Fortissimo~! G3 1997 Satriani VAI Fripp KWS Crystal Planet SATRIANI Jefferson Starship BOC G3 2003 .....s...p...a...c...e..... SEPARATION Visual Breathing Room !~SCROLL DOWN~! pageDown !~DOWN~! Index TOC metaContent MUSIC Live in Concert ROCK review !~Fortissimo~! G3 1997 Satriani VAI Fripp KWS Crystal Planet SATRIANI Jefferson Starship BOC G3 2003 .....s...p...a...c...e..... SEPARATION Visual Breathing Room !~SCROLL DOWN~! pageDown !~DOWN~! Index TOC metaContent MUSIC Live in Concert ROCK review !~Fortissimo~! G3 1997 Satriani VAI Fripp KWS Crystal Planet SATRIANI Jefferson Starship BOC G3 2003

G3 2003

November 12, 2003, Malmsteen, Vai, Satriani play their final show of the G3 tour at The Orpheum Theatre in Boston, Mass.

"ALL THAT, AND A BAG OF CHIPS"

Yngwie ... interesting

Vai = Expressive / Impressive / Superb

Joe: ...M.A.S.T.E.R...

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yngwie, The Insane Swede, did some very impressive stuff with his effects where he sounded like an entire orchestra. I do enjoy the classical riffs and runs with the powerful backdrop of that massive sustained wall of orchestral sound.

He had a unique way of tossing a pick to the audience while looking straight ahead, along with a move one assumes he invented(?) of dropping the pick and kicking it out among the adoring fans in the orchestra seats. I relished the vicious bold decisive look of those kicks. He ended his set by ripping the strings from his guitar one by one. Well, it's certainly cheaper than imitating The Who.

I won't say anything negative about Yngwie's set, out of respect for the G3 concept, all those involved with the tour, and of course (and above all) for respect of Joe, my musical hero.

Vai walked onto the stage with the stage lights up, looking like any ordinary guy on the street, said hello to the roaring fans, then sat down to play a three-neck guitar. All I can say is ..~wOw~..

Vai is just flat-out aWeSoMe. Period.

I took away many memorable moments from his set, but it wouldn't do justice to attempt to describe them. He dedicated "Whispering a Prayer" to his wife (in the audience that evening) who it turns out (I never knew this) he met while attending Berklee. There was a climatic musical moment in the song that totally took my breath away with its intensity.

As usual, he closed his set with with "For the Love of God". This is always a true joy to hear this song. I enjoyed his (usually really wierd) improv at the end much more than previous versions. When he finished playing and the band took their bows, the audience went wild, expressing long and loud their extreme appreciation. It appeared as if he wanted to play an encore, but instead he promised to return and play more during the jam.

Vai puts on an astounding performance, no question.

During the set change while we waited for Joe, as I contemplated the idea he was shortly going to take the stage, I found myself all giddy with anticipation. This is the true and deep and genuine excitement at the thought of SEEING HIM LIVE, a feeling I'd been missing in the weeks and days as the concert approached.

As soon as I purchased my tickets, I was on what I call my "Satch Diet" where I don't listen to any Satriani AT ALL, saving my joy in his music for the Live RealTime Event. But the routine of my days grinds on, and when I mentioned the upcoming show to my associates, and then they asked if I was excited, I always replied in the positive, because I know intellectually from experience that seeing Joe is always a profound joy for me, but in truth, inside, I was a little disturbed at the lack of the my usual "breathless enthusiasm" -- something that has traditionally accompanied previous concerts.

I wondered in an offhand, casually disinterested sort of way if this would be the last concert I would attend. I didn't take these thoughts seriously, I'm only admitting they occurred to me even though I didn't pay them much attention. If I'd been truly uninterested in the show, I wouldn't have purchased tickets. And I wouldn't have taken two vacation days (the day of the concert and the day after) in order to have the best concert experience humanly possibly, completely unsullied by any fatigue or stress (and a day to sleep in and recouperate from all that intense excitement).

So I was relieved and happy to feel the stirrings of my fan appreciation of Joe bubble-up to the surface in that moment when I knew that next would be HIM, LIVE IN PERSON..... ohhhhhhh

Yeah, I was happy and excited and have never lost the fan feeling I have for this artist and his music.

From the moment he took the stage, he looked relaxed -- very comfortable and happy. Very much in his element, very much himself, and enjoying his time on stage with his fans. After a short improv to get the crowd going, he jumped right into Satch Boogie. He played a metallic finish deep red guitar (the finish repeated on the headstock) and if I'm not mistaken, was that a seven-string??? It took me awhile to get used to seeing Joe play on that thicker neck (or was it my imagination?)

[[..A note on the guitars played during the evening: after the first few songs he changed to his chrome guitar, and I enjoyed watching him signal the mother ship with the reflections panning out over the crowd back and forth, hear and there. The next guitar was black with a dark red flame pattern, then back to the deep red guitar..]]

His next song, The Extremist, was crowd-jumping, blood-pumping excellent. What could be better than to follow this with ... CRYSTAL PLANET!!!!!!! This was a jaw-dropping performance. Joe's guitar (nice and LOUD) ripped through those piercing opening notes with a delicious vengeance. I'll admit: maybe I'm prejudiced, because ~I~ ~LOVE~ ~THAT~ ~SONG~!!!

After this came Starry Night, which sounded a little different at that volume, I must say. Joe's sound on this evening definitely went to ELEVEN. But what really rocked was the extended jam he inserted at the end. Oh YEAH, baby~!

To watch Joe play Midnight is always a treat, and when he added another improv section and my heart just melted with love for his musical artistry.

Flying in a Blue Dream (what happened to the blue lights, Joe?) excellent as usual. You could REALLY hear the child's last words it was SO LOUD. But Joe's guitar sailed above the intense bass drums and rhythm to deliver the song, masterful as ever.

Always With Me,AWY started up and the lights were red and white stripes with a few blue spots. I could only think this was Joe's tribute to our troops. He didn't make any sort of annoucement or dedication, but what else can one think when the stage looked just like an American flag? And then he throws in ANOTHER jam at the end, and let me tell you this one Rocked My Socks Off~!!! I was in HEAVEN~!

The Mystical PHGT took awhile to "gel" with the sound being so loud, but as far as I could hear the arpeggios were perfect (you go, Joe!) and I enjoyed the volume when the song kicks into high gear there at the end of the extended solo section.

When Summer Song started up, I couldn't help but start pumping my arms to the beat. I'm not sure, but I think Joe saw me dancing and giving him the two thumbs up. I hope he could feel my joy because I was certainly having a Truly Wonderful Very Good and Happy Time rock-n-rolling to this signature tune.

Even with the gonzo sound, JOE RULES. In retrospect, they must have bumped the sound for Joe because of the G3 jam. The sound for the first two G3's was excellent. Perfect. When Joe took the stage, everything was noticeably louder. Matt's bass came way too close to overshadowing the entire musical soundscape. Joe's guitar held it's own but to do so it had be Much Louder, so the entire sound mix was bumped-up to the max. Still, it was a memorable show and JOE NEVER DISAPPOINTS. With extended sections added to at least three songs, Joe has answered the long-time wishes of his fans to hear him play something ~nEw!~ inside his concert standards.

[[..one more thing: thank-you Joe for ~Not~ playing your guitar with your tongue~!!!..]]

Without further ado, the G3 Jam commenced with Yngwie doing what I'm going to call a Swedish version of Voodoo Chile. [[..note: this is NOT my favorite song. I hope they pick something NEW for the next G3 tour..]] I have to say the vocals for Yngwie and Joe didn't do justice to either song, but one can only blame the sound team, because Steve Vai singing Little Wing did NOT disappoint. Closing with Rocking in the Free World, you could actually hear the audience on the chorus (in spite of the volume being ELEVEN). On all the jam tunes it was great fun watching the three G's take their turns.

As the lights went up and I made my way to exit feeling blissful and complete, I heard more than one fan engaging in the time-honored who- is- best- guitar debate and siding firmly with Joe. I heard this from more than one fan admonishing his companions: "Joe is The Master" and "Satriani is the best."

Joe, you are all that and more.

Thank-you, as always, for unforgettable evening of exteme joy and superb musicality. Thank-you again and again for all you do.

Always Your Fan,

~Faye

[[..Thurs.13.Nov.2003..]]