While many rock fans don’t like instrumental music, Joe Satriani is one of the select few guitarists to breathe life into rock instrumentals and make you forget that there is no front man on the microphone for the vast majority of the time. Of course, Joe can handle having a vocalist, as he has demonstrated with the Sammy Hagar fronted Chickenfoot, but on his own he is still at his very best.
Joe’s latest release, “Satchurated,” fetaures Joe in concert with his own band. The release comes in a variety of forms, including 2D/3D DVD, and two disc audio. While I did not see the enhanced version, I can attest to the fact that the Blu-ray version is crisp and wonderfully shot without too many annoying changes in camera angles. In short, it captures the feel of a live concert.
As for the playing, the disc rivals “Live in San Francisco,” an album that was so good one wondered why Joe would ever release another live album. In “Satchurated,” Joe revisits the standards like “Flying in a Blue Dream,” and “Satch Boogie,” and while there aren’t any major changes as compared to previous versions, they are essential additions to the complete set.
In fact, the two hour plus set includes twenty five songs and bonus features. It’s quite a value. Highlights of the set include a blazing versions of “Why,” and “Summer Song.” Joe’s current backing band deserves high praise for keeping up with Joe. Which is no easy task.
