G3: G3 Reunion Live Review
For bands like The Allman Brothers and Thin Lizzy, two lead guitarists was always better than one. In the case of G3, three lead guitarists is undeniably better than two. The brainchild of Joe Satriani, this all-star assembly of guitar gods sees ‘Satch’ join forces with two other virtuosos to celebrate the electric guitar in all its universal glory.
The likes of Kenny Wayne Shepherd, John Petrucci (Dream Theater), and Steve Lukather (Toto) have all graced the G3 line-up, but this overly-generous 27-track record sees G3 go full circle with the return of Steve Vai and Eric Johnson — the pair that joined G3 (aka Satriani) for their first ever tour in 1996.
Touring for select dates in 2024, this live show was recorded at LA’s Orpheum Theater, with each virtuoso delivering a complete set, before the ‘holy trinity’ of all G3 tours unite on stage for the finale.
You almost feel Vai should come out wearing a wizard’s cape such is his sonic innovation and technical sorcery. He hits the crowd early doors with the seven and a half minute “Avalancha,” Heavy yet buried by a riff that’s enchanting and melodic, it’s a song with great flow and fingers aflame, with drummer Jeremy Colson’s hard-hitting and double kick bass adding plenty of bite.
“Tender Surrender” is on another level of beauty. As one listener once famously commented on Youtube: ‘This has really inspired me to sell my guitar.’ A composition with so many complexities and incredible depth, it’s truly remarkable the amount of control and mastery Vai has over his signature Ibanez, transitioning from eloquent lead and high-pitched bends back into the foundation melody with ridiculous ease.
The hypnotic “Teeth Of The Hydra” sees the always-innovative axeman tackle a three-neck guitar. Vai has no ceiling and has always been prepared to push the boundaries of this iconic musical instrument, creating and hexagonalizing incredible strings, sounds, and techniques like he only can.
Ending with his most quintessential track “For The Love Of God”, the crowd is treated to one of the best instrumental pieces you’ll ever hear. It makes the heart soar and the eyes weep — it simply doesn’t need any lyrics as Vai makes his guitar sing and cry in the most sublime, spiritual, and awe-inspiring way. Poor Eric and Joe having to follow this.
Rather than try to emulate Vai, Johnson serves up a different dynamic to the superhuman who whence and came before. Melodic and bluesy in equal measure with a crazily good, warm buttery Strat tone, he and his superb backing band get the party started with a groovy workout on the soul classic “Land of 1000 Dances.” Not only is it a welcome break from the instrumental mayhem, it’s sassy, saucy, and rocked up in all the right joints.
What impresses me most about “Desert Rose” is Johnson’s steely focus — being able to sing, play, and know exactly when to stomp your pedals with such proficiency is no mean feat. The eclectic and lyrical solo is something else too — a must-watch for any aspiring player looking to master tone changes.
Johnson delivers the best version of “Freeway Jam” I’ve heard in which Jeff Beck isn’t playing the guitar, yet still light years away from the amazing groove and fluid, unique sound of the inimitable six-string legend. Concluding with the monumental Venus Reprise, it’s easy to see why Johnson has long embodied the notion of a guitarist’s guitarist.
“Surfing With The Alien” washes up early on Satriani’s set. The title track off his groundbreaking debut album (1987) is an air guitarist’s dream, with an ocean-tight rhythm section and Satriani’s exemplary command and control of harmonics on full display. “Sahara” from the Elephants of Mars (2022) LP is the infectious groove we didn’t know we needed. A relative embryo compared to SWTA, this soaring tapestry of music is a masterclass in ensuring not a single note is wasted, and not a single note is overplayed.
Joe’s never ending ability to be so lyrical with his phrasing and tone has kept him at the top of the fretboard all this time, and he wraps up his alone time with the power riffs of “Big Bad Moon” (featuring Satch’s unique voice) and the beautiful, almost therapeutic semi-ballad “Always With Me, Always With you” — living proof that “shredders” can play with feeling and emotion any time they want to.
The encore sees all three masters come together to treat us to three blistering classics — Cream’s “Crossroads”, Jimi Hendrix’s “Spanish Castle Magic”, and Steppenwolf’s ‘heavy metal thunder’ biker anthem “Born To Be Wild.” Each guitarist brings their own flavour during their respective solos, taking the listener on a heady, hedonistic voyage of the electric guitar. They even manage to squeeze in a snippet of “Sunshine Of Your Love” for good measure, earning the trio a rapturous and much deserved round of applause in the process.
Blues purists will wax on that this kind of music is purely a circus for showboating and lacks real emotion, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Could there be a better tribute to the electric guitar than three of the world’s greatest exponents playing with utter joy, undeniable passion, and virtuous musicality?
Do things that give you pleasure and you’ll be happy — that’s all these guys are doing here. Don’t forget the SatchVAI Band embark on their Surfing With The Hydra Tour across the UK and Europe later this year. Just like the crowd at LA, you’ll have the time of your life, but be warned — these guitar heroes are the reason many play guitar, but also the reason many quit.
