Customer Reviews

Joe Satriani

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

All of Joe Satriani's music is rooted in the blues, but sometimes it isn't always obvious beneath his fierce shredding and aggressive melodies. On his self-titled release, our good man Joe strips his music down to his core influences, and the result is a sizzling blues record. Like all his music, the playing oozes feel and emotion. The songs here are much slower than his intense songs from albums like _Surfing with the Alien_ or _Flying in a Blue Dream_. Yet, for all its relaxed colors, there is a hushed intensity in the soulful grooves and flickering riffs. Even though blues generally isn't my cup of tea, every song on this album is good or great. "Cool #9" is a wickedly groovy blues piece with calculated build-ups and perfect rhythmic accents. "Home" is one of my favorite Satch ballads, romantic and moving. "Moroccan Sunset" sandwiches some perfectly executed blues soloing between heated, tense riffs and rhythms. "Luminous Flesh Giants" is noteworthy both for its weird name and its dense rockosity. "(You're) My World" is emotionally lucid guitar playing at its best. "Down, Down, Down" has melodies mired in molasses -- it has to be one of the slowest, dullest songs I've heard but my mind gets all fuzzy when it plays, and I like the feeling. "Look My Way" is the album's funny and catchy moment. Obviously, it's a must-have for Satriani fans, and even those turned off by some of the other reviews should give it a try. Guitar fireworks? No. Great, soulful playing? Yes.

Was looking for a jpeg and decided to write a review, and thank you for your patience if you've already read 1-42. Anyway, I didn't read them all, but while the first half-dozen reviews mention the fact that this is likely Satriani's most laid-back album, none of them mention either the fact that Glyn Johns (The Beattles, The Who, The Stones, Elton John, and almost anyone else who's ever made a record) produced the songs or that Nathan East (bass) and Manu Katche (drums) play on most of them. Bummer. Along with his first--and strangest, since he made it between sessions and teaching gigs, and did most everything but play drums--album, Not Of This Earth(1986), and his most ambitious--hey, I don't know of any Electronica artists capable of playing a guitar as well as Satriani--album, Engines Of Creation(2000), Joe Satriani(1995) is one of my favorite albums by Mr. Satriani. Sure, the Surfing With The Alien(1987)/Flying In A Blue Dream(1989) era stuff is still fresh and amazing, and his newer albums, Is There Love In Space?(2004) and Super Colossal(2006), show that he still owns his guitar. However, I would argue that Joe Satriani(1995) is the only Satriani album where he allows the other musicians to rip it up as much as he typically does. Heck, this could be called The Manu Katche Album given how many times he fills blank spaces tastfully with quick and tricky drum-work. I realize that most people don't like to think (which is probably why The Extremist(1992) remains one of Satriani's most popular albums to date--young brothers on bass and drums, told exactly what to do: don't rock the boat, keep a beat, call me sir). But if you're looking for a Satriani album that might actually be considered fusion (in a broad sense of the word) and has a markedly higher level of overall musicianship than most of his other efforts, check out Joe Satriani(1995). It might just please you.

Satriani's self-titled effort, like most of his music, finds most people missing the point. It's not about flash, it's about substance. It's really not a blues record, it's about feeling. Like most instrumental guitar work, it nods at the blues, but to call it a blues album is, well, simply missing the point. Why can't this man put out a record without upsetting half his listeners? Because the general market is dominated by consumers who let radio dominate them, and allow marketing departments to shape their taste in music. This album is a stunning piece of compositional art. The playing is fantastic, and the groove and overall vibe is nothing short of groundbreaking. When a man reknowned for his chops and production values can put something out this different from how he's traditionally been viewed, and do it this well, that's cause for renewed faith in music. Joe Satriani is quite simply the only instrumental guitarist working today that consistently makes meaningful contributions to the music world, no matter how he chooses to make them.

This is not the Joe Satriani we hear on most of his recordings. It's rich, it's bluesy, it's well done; but it is not the hard-driving, layered exotic axe work that the name Satriani conjures up. This has more in common with Stevie Ray Vaughn than with Joe's other work. In fact, that's probably a good analogy--imagine Satriani does Vaughn and you'll have a good idea of what this CD sounds like.

If you'd rather surf with aliens during a blue dream, steer clear of this one. If, however, you're open to hearing a well handled guitar get down and bluesy, give this one a listen.

If you were expecting a blasting array of bi-dextral tapping, pinched harmonics and wild whammy bar hysteria, this is not the album you want to get. Satriani unleashes himself from his usual jaw dropping virtuosity and he lets the feeling of the music take over. The album is dominated by a bluesy feel, but strays occasionally into beautiful melodic tracks such as "Home" and the Eastern influenced "Morroccan sunset". Satriani's tone is once again top notch, and his inventive use of the wah wah pedal in his melodies adds flavour to the album. Perhaps this is not a Satriani album for all fans, but if you love good old blues, go and buy it. A wonderful recording.

This is a very different Satch album, as it is the only one to focus heavily on the blues. Critics gave him a hard time about this one because it is not a typical shred album, but then again, what do critics know? Joe's biggest influence in creating his music has always been, believe it or not, the old blues pioneers. You wouldn't know it from a lot of his songs, but many have a blues tinge to them that was never fully expressed until this album. And what an album! "Down, Down, Down" is one of the greatest songs he has ever made and is both sad and beautiful at the same time. Must be heard to be fully appreciated. "Look My Way" is a playful number that really lets Joe get loose and show his sense of humor. "Killer Bee Bop" ranks way up there with any shred number he has ever done and even has more intensity than most. Outstanding! "Sittin' Round" ends this album and is so great that it makes you want to clap out loud. But that would be weird, so don't. In conclusion, this album was unfairly judged by critics and is worthy of much praise. Besides, if you don't progress in style, you'll regress, and nobody wants that.

When I purchased this CD I had extrememly high expectations because it was the most expensive Satriani CD that was available in the shop, and because the other 4 albums I owned of his had blown me away. Unfortunately I was extremely disapointed with what I got. The album is nothing like any of his other albums, which I suppose is a good thing in some ways that he's trying out new things. But the whole album just sounded lifeless, with a very low level background bluesy drum beat a simple low distortion lead with no rythem. I suppose it is a good recipee for a good blues album, but a lot of it isn't particualrly bluesy, its just regular satriani toned down to the point where it will send you off to sleep. I tried to get into it but after a few listens I was completely bored with most of the songs. There doesn't seem to be any emotion, or surprise in this album, its just fairly predicatable. I can see how this album might appeal to somebody who likes blues and jazz, but if your after anything with a similar sound that Satriani has produced before, then this isn't the best album to get. A little bit too laid back for me

It is hard to understand why the critics rated this album so badly - it is one of the finest guitar albums ever released. This album has a near perfect balance of feel, substance and outright power. Joe never fails to deliver - interesting songs, devastating leads, catchy rythms and THE FEEL. Oh, Man! THE FEEL is incredible. Highlights: Cool #9, If, S.M.F. and Slow Down Blues.

The great thing about this album is that it broke away from what Satriani had been doing for a rhythm section up until then. A lot of times, behind his stellar guitarwork, Joe had programmed some pretty boring and synthetic backing tracks. Here, he records with a live drummer and bass player and even 2nd guitarist. This gives the tunes a much more "live" feel than before, and the musicians know how to add flair to a tune while still spot-lighting Joe as a guitarist. My top pick from the Satch catalogue - Highly recommended.

Thanks for reading my review.
This is my least favourite Joe Satriani album. I have all his albums and I am a huge fan.
For me this is still an average to good album and a must for fans of Satch. If you like blues guitar, you will probably like it too.
For me, many of the songs were missing the depth and varied technique that I normally associate with his work. The guitar work was too restrained for my liking. It was inevitable I guess that he would bring out an album which I thought was average. You can't be brilliant for everybody all the time I guess!
The album does contain a couple of gems. "Cool #9" is clearly the best track on it for me, and the closest to his other work, without sounding too bluesy.
" If" contains some funky riffs, particuarly at the end and is also a great track. " Home" is a nice gentle relaxed ballad, and "Moroccan sunsets " also contains some nice work. But little else on the album is more than passable, and just OK to listen to every now then for me.
" Look my way" is the only vocal track on the album, and is very average. "Killer bee bop" is my second worst Satch song after " Woodstock jam", but hey... whatever turns you on.
" Sittin' round" is very boring, and " Slow down Blues" and " Down, down, down" also send me to sleep.
Hats off to Satch for going back to his roots, and making something that he clearly enjoys playing, but I was glad he followed up this work with the brilliant " Crystal Planet"
Not the best album to buy first if you want to try some Joe Satriani, he has much better work in my humble opinion.
If you have all his other stuff, you'll find at least a couple of tracks you will enjoy.
Thanks for reading!