Joe Satriani - G3 Feat. Uli Jon Roth and John Petrucci

24th April 2018

Southend, The Cliffs Pavilion, UK

*****

A night of Beautiful guitar music

G3 ***** Tonight is the first night of Joe Satriani’s G3 UK tour, and we are at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend. Joining Joe Satriani on this tour leg of the G3 tour are guitar legends John Petrucci (Dream Theater) and Uli Jon Roth (Ex-Scorpoins), so tonight was always going to be a very special night. I for one being a big fan of the Classic Rock and Heavy Rock genre, was really looking forward to seeing three of the best guitarists in one show... in one night.

Uli Jon Roth ***1/2 walks out onto the stage, and starts off the night. Wearing his trade mark bandana, and with his long hair which flows past his shoulders. It was quite something to see the legend in the flesh. This evening set really had a 70’s feel to it, just how we all would want it to be. Uli starts off with 'Sky Overture', which has so many Classic Rock riffs... you could build a pyramid with them. His finger work for someone of his age, is totally spot on and his signature squeal rings out as he works through the piece of music.

Their is a cool breeze in the air as he breaks in vintage Scorpions track 'Sun in my Hand', which is a Blues Rock extravaganza of music. This track really takes me back to when I was younger, and you feel like it is blasting out of a cassette player in a field well away from civilization. Next up is another brilliant Scorpions track 'We'll burn the Sky', which he dedicates to Zeno Roth who passed away this year. It starts off with haunting under tones and a repetitive melody, before breaks into the classic rhythms we all know and love.

Uli jon Roth tonight delivered a very chilled set and was joined on stage by a great up of musicians including Niklas Turmann (Guitar / Lead Vocals), David Klosinsky (Guitar), Corvin Bahn (Keyboards), Nico Deppisch (Bass) and Michael Ehré (Drums). And they really bring new life to the classic Scorpions song 'Fly to the Rainbow', which is a very chilled song full of magic and mystery. Uli virtuoso solos are breathtaking live, and when you see him playing with his eyes closed you can feel the emotion that he puts into his guitar work. So as he finishes with the last of the classic Scorpions material 'The Sails of Charon', you realise you have taken away with you a memory that can't be ever forgotten.

John Petrucci **** from Progressive Rock / Metal band Dream Theater is one of the guitarists I think a lot of people in attendance tonight want to do see, and to my surprise he had Mike Mangini on drums and Dave LaRue on bass. They all come on stage to rapturous applause. I know this will be a heavier set than the previous one by Uli Jon Roth, and from the start I am not disappointed. The first song of his set 'Wrath of the Amazons', gets the fans really going and chanting. From it's epic opening sequence, to it's thundering guitar sound and it's Progressive Metal roots. The sound is so much louder than Uli, and every one is loving it... as John shreds the strings of his guitar in an intricate way.

The sound of his guitars echo round the room as he breaks into riff leaden 'Jaws of Life', which I have to say leaves a lot of peoples jaws open in the audience with delight and ore. Yes it is a jaw dropping display by John Petrucci, and I am so glad I am in attendance. I have to say I don't know that much of Dream Theater's work myself... but I will be checking out more in the future. The riff of this track is really catchy and is similar to sounds you expect to find in modern day Heavy and Thrash Metal, so John really knows what his audience wants... and is not afraid to deliver it.

The aptly named 'The Happy Song' is up next, and likes other in his set leaves smiles on everyone’s faces. It is very different from other material in his set, it's a lot cleaner and you can hear is guitar work a lot better. So this for me is a real highlight in his set, he really knows how to do new things that have never been seen before on the guitar. He knows how to take guitar playing to the extreme, and it is so technical guitar. These techniques are shown off best throughout the tracks 'Damage Control, Glassy eyed Zombies' and last song 'Glasgow Kiss'. The latter of the three most guitar plays will know really well, John Petrucci must really love bringing Metal to the G3 concert, because you can see the joy on his face as he plays.

Joe Satriani ***** I really think their is actually no headliner for tonight's show, all three guitarists are legends in their own right. But it is Joe Satriani's G3 event. So it really makes sense that he is the last one to hit the stage. Which he comes to like the others with a huge smile, he is just so happy to be playing the UK again. Joe Satriani has always been an artist that gives his audience exactly want they want, and the sets tone does this with cracking opener 'Energy'. This tone does not stop, for the whole length of his set. Backed by band mates Bryan Beller (Bass), Mike Keneally (Guitar / Keyboards) and Joe Travers (Drums). Yes this is an all star line-up of quality musicians that do their job to the extreme... full of energy!!!. (Yes! this was quoted by Joe Satriani on his Facebook page, a real delight for us at Music Trespass Magazine)

Talking about 'Energy', which comes off his brilliant brand new record 'What happens Next'. This is a really strong track, off an album that could possibly be his best to date. It is a really fast paced song, which is perfect for an explosive opening to a set. This brings perfect way for 'Cobolt' and on the waves of a riff 'Surfing with the Alien' classic 'Satch Booge'. This I am sure is a live favourite... full of memorable Blues and Rock riffs, so when it comes to a conclusion it is met with a massive round of applause. He then shows again how strong the new album is with the tracks 'Cherry Blossoms', a haunting slow track and 'Thunder high on the Mountain', one of my favourite's off the new album. This song could even have take influences from Black Sabbath, even though it is played a lot clearer and has a more Iron Maiden like guitar solo in the middle of it.

He has super confidence in his new album as he goes into Funk inspired 'Super Funky Badass', which is a song that grows on you after a while. Classic 'Circles' is as good as it always is, and 'Always with Me, Always with You' is a landscape of experimental drifting sounds. But for me being a Classic Rock fan, I took more not of 'Summer Song' which is a Bluesy Rock 'n' Roller of a song. All through the set Joe has fun with the fans and tells them that his band manager comes from Southend. Joe plays the way no other guitarist can, with ease, emotion and fluidity of a master of his craft, the stage backdrop is a huge screen playing videos. Sadly tonight the set has no 'Surfing with the Alien' or 'Big bad Moon', which for me is as shame. But the question is are we disappointed with these classics not in the set? Hell no!!! because what we heard is enough for any fan.

But we are not finished there is a surprise in store for us Joe Satriani invites Uli Jon Roth and John Petrucci on stage for what I will call "The G3 Jam" which kicks off with the Deep Purple classic 'Highway Star', which gets a rapturous applause and many people start banging heads... mine included (Sorry I just couldn't help it). After this, we are still not finished. Uli Jon Roth starts up with another classic, and the riff from Jimmy Hendrix’s 'All along the Watchtower; comes to our ears each guitarist take turns to jam some solos out Joe even plays with his teeth. Last song in this jam is another classic, Led Zeppelin's 'Immigrant Song' WOW!!!. What a night, three Guitar Legends, sharing the same stage at a seaside concert venue, which by the way had its roof absolutely blown off and all the fans minds as well.

Review and Photo's by Andrew Wild

If you want to Buy the new Joe Satriania album 'What happens Next', 'Scorpions Revisited' by Uli Jon Roth or 'Suspended Animation' by John Petrucci. Then you can buy them from the links Below...