G3 Live in Concert [Live]

Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson (Rock) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 3, 1997)
• Original Release Date: June 3, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000002BT9
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #88,874 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #31 in Music > Rock > Rock Guitarists > Shred

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Electric Guitar Trio, May 1, 2002

By 

Jeff Arenson (Colorado Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: G3 Live in Concert (Audio CD)

This disc is a recording from the first G3 tour. The three axmen that are featured are Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, and Steve Vai. Each member has three of their own songs and then all three are on stage for a trio of covers. Satch is featured first. He plays "Cool #9", "Summer Song" and "Flying in a Blue Dream". His playing is typical Satch. He does a little improv in the intro to summer song but other than that the songs are duplications of the studio versions. This isn't a bad thing and fans of Satch won't be dissapointed. Joe is known for his great melodies and his jaw dropping technique. Both are displayed here. His ability to improvise material to new heights isn't on display here. If you want that then buy "Time Machine". I still would get this because Joe is still Joe. Eric Johnson is next. On "Zap" he boogies and shows off his tone. Also the rest of his trio is given the opportunity to do their thing as they trade fours. "Manhatten" is Eric displaying all types of techniques. The song has a jazzy vibe and is quite different than "Zap" in terms of mood and style. "Camel's Night Out" is the closer of Johnson's set and he explodes during it. This song is a chance for Eric to display all of his tricks and he does. Eric Johnson fans should be loving his three song set as it shows off his versatility, virtuosity and unique tone. Vai is the last to go and go he does. Steve is the sorcerer. All kinds of maniacal guitar playing is on display during his set. "Answers" has Vai interweaving lines with Keneally. Then he lets the pyrotechnics loose. Two handed technique, blinding alternate and sweep picking,whammy bar madness, and the joy of playing with feedback are all used in his closing cadenza to this tune. "For the Love of God" is an incredible example of emotion. The main melody lines are moving and the solo invokes all kinds of emotion. This is one of Steve's best compositions. "The Attitude Song" is the closer and is Vai at his wildest. Fellow guitarist Mike Keneally adds to the mix of unison lines. The tremelo bar work is unreal. Vai is a madman and he doesn't have any of his "bizarre" overdubbing that is on some of his lesser studio discs. If you get the DVD you will see that Vai is a magician on stage and has a commanding presence. The three cover songs have all the men on stage and they seem to have a good time with another. The highlight is the trading of fours during "Redhouse". During all three covers each guitarist gets to solo and they all do so very well. "G3" is a great disc and it is a tribute to these three that they were able to put their egos aside and do a project like this. If you like guitar orientated rock or are familiar with any or all of these guys then buy it now.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Live Guitar Rock Albums Ever Made!, January 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: G3 Live in Concert (Audio CD)

On G3 Live three of the most talented electric guitar players of all-time come together for an album that sizzles with creative synergy. Each of the three play three of their best pieces- Satriani starts out kind of mellow and cool with "Dreaming # 11," picks up momentum with "Flying in a Blue Dream," then closes his set with an ear-popping rendition of "Summer Song" that really cooks! Satriani's live tracks are very impressive for their creative virtuousity and willingness to explore new musical ideas that may differ a bit from his studio cut, which he then weaves together masterfully- taking a classic work and giving it a fresh, edgy and breath-taking new interpretation.

Eric Johnson dazzles the listener with an amazing blend of guitar styles that flow together seamlessly- ranging from a bluesy, jazz-rock style on Zap, to the rich jazz progressions and solo work on Manhattan to the intricate merging of blues and shred rock on Camel's Night Out.

Steve Vai highlights some of his better work here with Answers, For the Love of God and Attitude Song. His awesomely arpeggiated melodic lines soar as they seem to rise out of nowhere and fly out into space. Out of the three on this album, Vai seems to get the most unique sounds out of the instrument- he makes it sing, ring, scream, cry and soar... my only major critique of Vai's guitar work is that the harmonies and sounds he uses in the background tend to distract from his melodic lines rather than enhance them as they do with Satriani and to some degree with Johnson.

Out of the three pieces they play together, their version of RED HOUSE is awesome! The three blend and complement one another nicely, beginning with a classic blues opening and gradually building in intensity. the song is extended to include a solo by each of the three after each verse, and to close it out they trade eights- (one guitar plays a riff and the next one responds), finishing strong with a great ending. Hendrix would have been proud and probably impressed by this fine rendition. The only liability with their cover of RED HOUSE is Eric Johnson's drab singing, but then again- when you listen, you will be so amazed by the guitar work that Roseanne Barr could be singing, and it would still sound pretty darn good! But seriously, it is an awesome album, that gives an excellent taste of some of the best work of these three- check it out!

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great cd that has a great video, too!, July 22, 2000

By 

Guybert - See all my reviews

This review is from: G3 Live in Concert (Audio CD)

What a lineup! Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson and Steve Vai, three of the world's greatest guitarists together and playing in fine form. Joe has the first three tracks, which come from three different albums. "Cool #9" is just that: cool! The number nine is from a naming system he has because he's written so many blues numbers in his spare time. "Flying in a Blue Dream" is a nice, slightly softer song that is from the same-titled cd. "Summer Song" is a classic! Amazing virtuosity and overall catchiness ensure that this is one of the fan's all-time favorites. Great video for this one as well. Eric is next, with his amazingly precise playing and mellower tone. He is much different in style than Satch and Vai, but fits right in with three outstanding songs (two of which are different on the G3 video). "Zap" is from his album "Tones" and is a very catchy number featuring speed and skill. "Manhattan" is a more mellow, jazzy number and has a great ambient, deep sound to it. "Camel's Night Out" is a more rockin' tune that is very fun to hear. Eric plays with such precision that it is almost like listening to the album versions. It's too bad he doesn't add to the songs, like Joe does, but oh well. Steve is last and is another guy that is incredibly precise live. Joe was impressed by this, as Steve plays so loud that it would seem that he would be distracted (he played at 126db at one point!) "Answers" is a funky song with lots of interesting sounds and is from his awesome "Passion and Warfare" album, as is "For the Love of God," a nice, well-written meaningful piece. "The Attitude Song" finishes off his set and is a treat for fans to hear because it is a better rendition than the original. Much more attitude on this one! The album also features the three musicians coming together for three cool songs. "Going Down" is a good blues number for them all to play on to create a very layered (obviously) sound. "My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama" is a weird/funny/rough cover of a Frank Zappa tune and they do a nice job. "Red House" is the Jimi Hendrix classic and is decently done, though I like Jimi singing it much more than Eric Johnson. Overall, this is a very good cd and I recommend that you pick up the G3 video too. Then you get to see the men behind the instruments, including Steve's excellent guest-guitarist, the incomparable Mike Keneally! Please look up this video and read my review of it as well. I expand on my thoughts of Mike Keneally in it. Buy both, sit back and be amazed!