G3
G3: Live in Tokyo

The G3 performance has become a classic in recent years, and after featuring (besides the "main duo" Vai/Satriani) the good Eric Johnson first, then the Swedish maestro Malmsteen, and later a Fripp who seemed out of place in my opinion, perhaps for sales choices rather than real musical interest, we return to the much-loved and hated John Petrucci.

What can be said about these sacred monsters of today's guitar? Taken individually, they are spectacular; taken in the final jam together, they don't seem very united, especially towards Petrucci... almost a third wheel...

But let's get into the details of the DVD and the double CD. It starts with Mr. Pick, aka John Petrucci. The tracks on the album are "Glasgow Kiss" and "Damage Control". Perhaps the least beautiful from his solo album "Suspended Animation", but live they take on a different aspect: more varied and diverse "Glasgow Kiss" with a splendid variation in the slow part of the piece, more energetic and transporting "Damage Control". It's a pity that in the DVD all of this is ruined by a Petrucci more like a mummy than a showman, but his music slides away pleasantly. The performance continues with the alien Steve Vai. What can be said about this great guitarist that hasn't been already mentioned? Although I don't like his style, his great technical and compositional preparation is undeniable: the pieces chosen for this evening are "The Audience is Listening", "Building the Church", and "K'm-Pee-Du-Wee". Vai makes every passage, lick, and note he plays exciting and hearing him is truly a pleasure, and the pieces shine, much more than on their respective studio versions. And with a Billy Sheehan so acrobatic on bass, everything changes. The highlight of the CD and the DVD.

Satriani plays well... but without glory or disgrace... his set is quite lackluster, with three avoidable pieces, especially for him, who boasts a variety of great pieces a guitarist would dream of. Add to this a lot of technical problems and you'll have a bland performance... devoid of the emotions that Satch often gives us. Compared to the previous colleagues, he disappointed me. And then comes the moment of the Jam: anyone who dreamed of a breathtaking show will be disappointed as I am: Satriani uses the usual lick with more bluesy sounds, Vai does nothing but play with the lever, which goes very well in his solo pieces, but in impromptu jam sessions are somewhat useless and senseless... Petrucci... another sore point is his desire sometimes to overdo: in the jam, he barely played 3 slow notes before starting to do his usual whirlwind picking. It is saved by LaGrange where Sheehan's singing makes the difference (a huge difference!!!!).

What else to add? It's not as memorable as the G3 with Johnson and doesn't have the devastating charge of a Malmsteen, who, although exaggerated, was great fun indeed...
An exhibition with highs and lows.