G3: Live in Concert Reviews



Amazon.com Customer Reviews

G3-Best Lead Guitarist on Earth! - Review written on August 01, 2006
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Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

I just got this CD Concert, and it is in every way AWESOME! I am a lead guitarist also and particular about who I listen to. My opinion of the best of the G3 is Eric Johnson whom I have seen in concert 3 times, once when he was 17 years old, and at that time he was the absolutely best guitarist I had ever seen, (and I also met him and we talked about Stratocasters and how he modified his to get those amazing tones, he was a real nice person) that opinion still stands. Eric Johnson still plays chords in his songs, which I feel a great guitarist does, plus the most technical and tasteful leads. I don't think I heard Joe Satriani or Steve Vai play any chords at all except for the 3 last cover tunes, now don't get me wrong, I think all 3 were great! I have Joe Satriani albums also and love them, but Eric Johnson is a vituoso for good reason. I plan to purchase the DVD also. Incidentally I have worked with some really hot lead guitarists who never play a chord either, guess what? I don't think they have any idea what the chords to the tune are. Why I appreciate virtuoso Eric Johnson, complete guitarist. I have heard and seen him play Clapton, Hendrix, almost any style flawlessly. I have his "Total Electric Guitar" VHS,....WOW,...I could never learn to play so well (I spent many hours trying). Some people are born to be spectacular-Eric Johnson.
Overall this is a wonderful live concert with 3 great lead guitarists and great backup musicians. I highly recommend it for fans and musicians alike.
Guitar lovers dream... or dissappointment? - Review written on January 28, 2005
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Rating: 3 out of 5
4 customers found this review helpful, 4 did not.

Being a huge Satch fan, I eagerly bought this when it first came out. I also knew that Vai was his student, although I had never heard him play before this.
Eric Johnson I had never heard of.
For me, Satriani is clearly the best guitarist of these three.
His ability to combine melody and technique is streets above the rest, at least on this album. He just seems to work harder at being more innovative and different.
There is no doubt Vai is a competent guitarist. He is quick, damn quick, on some scales dare I say quicker than Satriani.
But he just doesn't have the X factor, his melodies are just average for mine, and there is no comparison for mine.
He just seems like one big guitar wanker! Some fun stuff- but I just want more!!
I was pleasantly surprised with Johnson.
A friend of mine who owns some of his stuff has said that he was restrained during his performances on this.
That said, I was mightily impressed, and he perfectly bridged the gap between the other two guitarists.
All in all, this is highly listenable, but for me, about half the album is ordinary.
I didn't like any of the songs they all did together, with only Vai looking at home in these songs. They all lacked melody and innovation.
Hard core fans of any of the three guitarists will no doubt eagerly get a copy, but casuals fans beware; have a few listens first to see if it's really what you want.
I will definitly try some more Johnson after this album though!
Thanks for reading!

Thes Best of the Best on one CD-ROM - Review written on December 07, 2004
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Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful, 2 did not.

Eric Johnson, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani are all geniuses in their own right. But them all together and you have an awesome lineup.

this music rocks!!!
Manhattan - Review written on November 15, 2004
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful, 1 did not.

Having three top of the line guitarists on one stage is very impressive....for the first time ever as a tour. Joe did the wise decision by bringing in Eric Johnson because he comes in as the devil's advocate. He's not as much 'shred' as Satch and Vai, so he added in some diversity. Eric Johnson's Manhattan is really a big treat. Red House (w/ EJ on vox) is the best version of the Jimi Hendrix classic.
Legends On Stage - Review written on June 12, 2004
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Rating: 5 out of 5
4 customers found this review helpful, 1 did not.

This is a tour-de-force of guitar legends on stage. Satch, Steve Vai and Eric Johnson plugging their axes into Marshall and Fender amps to dazzle and wow for more than an hour of music. The album doesn't do the show any justice only playing three songs from each set, and not including any of the opening act, Adrian Legg - a great guitarist in his own right. As a live show, the energy is high and the boys are on playing some of their greatest tunes. The chosen songs could have been better, but I remember some songs missing from the set list when I saw them live.

Satch's set begins with "Cool No.9" from his self-titled release. A little more bluesy and spacey than his previous stuff, but it still rocks. Full of lightning fast licks, overpowering crunch, and dive-bombs it rocks out. He follows with big hits "Flying In a Blue Dream" and "Summer Song". Both were good, but I remember a great version of "Big Bad Moon" at the show that I would have like to seen here. Satch's student, Vai shows why he was the student and Satch is the master. Although his set is good and a little more raw, he does not match to the talent of his former teacher. Overall, it is Eric Johnson who steals the show, but not quite the album. Johnson is a tone freak and had the best tone of the night. His playing is jaw-dropping fast and unbelievably smooth. Unfortunately, his song choices weren't the greatest here. "Zap" is powerful, fast, and catch. The man's tone goes from low growl to crystal solos with elegant ease. He backs of with "Manhattan" playing cleaner and jazzy. Again his fret work is amazing.

The highlight of the album comes at the end when the three guitar-gods join together for an amazing jam session. Licks abound as each takes their turn with a solo in their unique style. They cover three great hits, and although none of them have a great voice, they do a good job with "Going Down," Frank Zappa's "My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama" and Hendrix's "Red House" which is a fitting close to the album.

Any fan of guitar music or fan of these musicians would find this album a great addition to their collection. High energy, raw and amazing fingering. These guys are the monsters of guitar-rock.

go for the jam - Review written on April 23, 2004
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Rating: 4 out of 5

I'm generally a big Satch fan, but I reckon he could've chosen some better cuts than those here. As for Steve Vai I liked what he did with Dave lee Roth and Passion & Warfare but much of his other material goes for experimentalism at the expense of tunes, which is what we have here. Of the 3, Eric Johnson's set is the best with 'Zap' the best track, bar the jam stuff. It's far more beefed up than the studio version. The other 2 numbers are also excellent and again work better here than his studio efforts, which sound much weaker in comparison. The jam stuff is top notch especially the cover of Hendrix's 'Red House'. Even if you're not a fan of each individual player I recommend the jam tracks to any enthusiast of good fun rock music.
Egos and Guitars - Review written on April 22, 2004
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Rating: 2 out of 5
5 customers found this review helpful, 9 did not.

A G3 concert seems more like a couple of guys showing off in the weightroom then musicians creating music. Satriani, Vai and Johnson try their hardest to get laid, they rip roar and try desperately to speed pick their way into the pants of every girl in the room. In other words, this is heartless guitar heroics without an ounce of musicianship. I'm still not sure how three "guitar heroes" could completely miss the vibe of Hendrix's "Red House"
Best Guitar-Oriented CD available - Review written on March 04, 2004
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Rating: 5 out of 5
3 customers found this review helpful, 1 did not.

If you play guitar, you must own this cd. Plain and simple. These three musicians have taken the instrument and produced amazing new sounds that could never have been imagined.

The Pros: Every song is enjoyable. Each artist's set is unique and offers a good sample of what to expect from each in other recordings. I fell in love with Satriani's style because of this cd's performance of "Cool No. 9" and with Vai's style because of the solo after "Answers."

The Cons: I would not want this cd to be any different, but I suppose it could use a better booklet?

This cd is worth so much more than you will ever pay for it.

Must have - Review written on October 22, 2003
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Rating: 5 out of 5

A great live performance by 3 of the top guitar players around.
This is a badass CD - Review written on July 20, 2003
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review not to be helpful.
Alright i can go on for days about steve vai's ability, and you know what there is nothing like seeing steve vai preform. I've been to G3 it was one hell of a show live, the next best thing to seeing it live, is buying this CD. I only wish they released a cd from the G3 with petrucci
Like Guitar? Where have you been? - Review written on February 27, 2003
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Rating: 5 out of 5
4 customers found this review not to be helpful.
Like Guitar? Where have you been? These are the worlds greatest electric guitar players. If you like the electric guitar no doubt you already know about this CD and I am writing this for nothing.
PINCH ME I`M DREAMING!!!! - Review written on February 26, 2003
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review not to be helpful.
THREE OF THE GREATEST GUITAR PLAYERS IN THE WORLD PLAYIN LIVE!!!! I Study all of their stlyes and these three happen to be my top three favorite composer muscians off all time. IF you like guitar WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!!!! FOOL
Not particularly bad, but not particularly good - Review written on December 20, 2002
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Rating: 3 out of 5
2 customers found this review not to be helpful.
The G3 tour was one of the best show I have ever seen, and this cd does an ok job of capturing that magic. I was a little disappointed with the song selection for Eric Johnson based mainly on the fact that "The Cliffs of Dover" was not included on this disc (which I feel is one of the greatest songs of all time, and certainly Eric Johnson's best). When all three get together to jam at the end can send chills down your spine, much like it did live in concert. The rendition of "My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama" blew me away, and the cover of Hendrix's "Red House" is nothing short of brilliant. I just wish they would have made this at least a double cd so Satriani, Vai, and Johnson could each have had more than 3 songs on it. Overall, it's not a bad album. Buy it used, don't pay full price. Best $5 I ever spent.
Great Live Album - Review written on November 02, 2002
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Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

Who could have guessed that 3 of the greatest instrumental guitarist in the world would team up and perform a concert together(and in this case, record the concert and put out a cd of it). But it happened, and thankfully so.

G3 Live in Concert is; like it says on the sticker on the album, the ultimate live concert album. It starts off with the 3 guitarists: Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, and Steve Vai, all performing songs from their own reputuar: Joe plays, 'Cool No.9', 'Flying In A Blue Dream', and 'Summer Song'. Eric plays: 'Zap', 'Manhattan', and 'Camels Night Out'. And Steve plays: 'Answers', 'For The Love Of God', and 'The Attitude Song'.

Then in the grand finale, all thre of the guitar giants come together and perform another set of 3 songs: 'Going Down', 'My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama'(originally by Frank Zappa), and a long drawn out(but still listenable) version of Jimi Hendrix's 'Red House'(the highlight of the CD).

With over 75 minutes of music, it might seem a bit long; but remember, it is a 'LIVE' album, and this particular live is one of the best.

Great Live Album - Review written on November 02, 2002
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Rating: 5 out of 5
7 customers found this review helpful.

Who could have guessed that 3 of the greatest instrumental guitarist in the world would team up and perform a concert together(and in this case, record the concert and put out a cd of it). But it happened, and thankfully so.

G3 Live in Concert is; like it says on the sticker on the album, the ultimate live concert album. It starts off with the 3 guitarists: Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, and Steve Vai, all performing songs from their own reputuar: Joe plays, 'Cool No.9', 'Flying In A Blue Dream', and 'Summer Song'. Eric plays: 'Zap', 'Manhattan', and 'Camels Night Out'. And Steve plays: 'Answers', 'For The Love Of God', and 'The Attitude Song'.

Then in the grand finale, all thre of the guitar giants come together and perform another set of 3 songs: 'Going Down', 'My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama'(originally by Frank Zappa), and a long drawn out(but still listenable) version of Jimi Hendrix's 'Red House'(the highlight of the CD).

With over 75 minutes of music, ot might seem a bit long; but remember, it is a 'LIVE' album, and this particular live is one of the best.

my first live cd!! - Review written on October 28, 2002
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Rating: 5 out of 5

& also the one that got me started on joe & steve. a guitarist friend of mine bought this one as a gift to me & i can never thank him enough!!

i don't know what big fans of joe & steve might think of this review but my opinion is that the songs make a good introduction to their work.

all the songs are great, even the picks, i enjoyed johnson's performance too but don't get me wrong, i had my ears plenty by joe & steve. the covers are really good, especially going down, isn't it a jeff beck song?

anyway, this is a must buy live album, it's great listening to it on the road

ENJOY!!

Pleasing if unessential. - Review written on October 24, 2002
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Rating: 4 out of 5

I was at this concert and also have the video of it. A great show that was about four hours! Very enjoyable. This disc is a good summation of the evening with some of the more well-known tunes by each artist presented for your approval. Joe, Eric, and Steve all played well and energetically. I don't see this as particularly essential because most of these songs are already available and some have been played to death. For me this would be more of a novelty item, but perhaps the curious new listener will find it a nice jumping-off point.
some interesting playing - Review written on August 22, 2002
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Rating: 3 out of 5

I wasn't expecting much from an album like this to start with-instrumentals get boring pretty soon unless they are extraordinary like Surfing with the Alien. And I was right. Hironically, Vai blows away Satriani and Johnson even if I don't really like his style. Vai really shows unbelievable speed and technique here.
As far as Satriani, as usual when playing live he loses quite a bit compared to studio albums-I guess the guitar effects do not come out as nicely.
Johnson's playing is clean and melodic, but he really butchers the last three songs on the CD (the covers).
If you are into these guitarist, you may enjoy this.
a reviewer from massachusetts - Review written on August 06, 2002
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Rating: 3 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

SAME COVER,BUT NOT THE SAME MUSIC ON THE VIDEO!the solos,especially the solo for answers on the video was much better,camels night out was too.im not suprised that steve vai wrote kill the guy with the ball,here tried to upstage everybody else,(acted just like a high school bully)joe satriani was mediocre at best for him.but even with all of vai's lightning speed,and stage performance,silly hats etc..the only one who put out real music was eric johnson,who played nice pieces of music displaying real musicianship,and composition,without showing off.the quietest was loudest heard........
The Electric Guitar Trio - Review written on May 01, 2002
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Rating: 5 out of 5
8 customers found this review helpful.

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.
"Live" seen live! - Review written on November 01, 2001
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Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

I wholeheartedley recommend this CD to all fans of this trio. Including some of each artist's greatest hits, and songs performed together; this is a real treat for fans. I caught this tour in Columbus, OH; and it was amazing. Each artist took 45 minutes to an hour and did their stuff. Vai, followed by Johnson, follwed by Satch. Then they finished the show performing together. It was especially wonderful to see the comeraderie between former student Vai and former teacher Satriani. Even having seen Satch on the "Flying in a Blue Dream" tour, and having seen Vai solo on the "Ultra World" tour and with Whitesnake; this concert will always hold a special memory since I was able to see these great artists perform together. This CD is a great memory and document of a wonderful tour!
(2 1/2 stars) A bit disappointing. - Review written on October 09, 2001
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Rating: 2 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful, 1 did not.

Let me begin by saying that I absolutely love Satriani and Johnson. I haven't seen Satch live but would love to. Johnson I have seen twice and he was great, as I expected. I've never been much of a Steve Vai fan and this album did nothing to change that, as his material I found the least entertaining. Having said all of that, there just isn't anything mindblowing here. Even the Satriani and Johnson songs are pretty standard. Don't get me wrong, it's great to hear them perform live, but I guess I expected something more. One of the best tracks on the album is "Goin' Down" which features all three guitarists. This is okay I guess, but any album by Satriani and Johnson will satisfy much, much more.
Three stooges - Review written on October 01, 2001
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Rating: 1 out of 5
4 customers found this review helpful, 6 did not.

If your looking to impress your 12yr. old this is it. I am impressed that these three guy can screw in a light bulb. Boring and more of a circus act. Save your money! Did I say Boring? Yea. Boring.
G3: Live in Concert [LIVE] - Review written on August 27, 2001
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Rating: 5 out of 5

It is wondrous art work all three of these guitar virtuosos bring their guitars to life with the most amazing pitch harmonics, riffs, and licks. And each one's unique guitar work is absolutely astonishing this is definitely a album to buy.
Pure guitar porno of the highest quality - Review written on August 17, 2001
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Rating: 5 out of 5

Stariani and Vai in my opinion set the standards in rock guitar soloing. Johnson whom I had not heard previously till purchasing the cd, is definately up there with Vai and Satch. He has a more subtle and jazzy approach. I recomend this album to any guitar geek like myself
Really fantastic, incredible music DVD - Review written on July 01, 2001
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Rating: 5 out of 5

If you like guitar playing, rock, blues, fast leads & catchy melodies, you won't be dissapointed with this video. Extremely good. I love the video and sound of it. Satriani, Johnson and Vai are great at their own songs, and really great at the end playing together. I love it, from start to end.
. . . BUT WHAT IF YOU'RE NOT ALREADY A CONVERT? - Review written on June 07, 2001
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Rating: 3 out of 5
13 customers found this review helpful, 2 did not.

At the time of writing, 24 excitable air-guitar-fiends have already written reviews of this album averaging about 4.9 stars. But what if you're not already a convert to virtuoso-rock? What if you've just heard the names Satriani and Vai bandied around, and are wondering what all the fuss is about?

Basically these two guys represent a sort of "Gee-tar University" school of musicianship. Imagine your favourite professor, in cap and gown, lecturing you: "This is how it's done. This is an octave bend; this is two-handed tapping; this is choking - and you may be able to do it as fast as this if you work hard, sonny . . ."

And actually it's all terribly impressive. What's so intimidating (as people used to say about Yes back in the 1970's) is that they can really do this stuff live on stage. It's frankly dazzling. They're the Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven of electric guitar. Wherever the axe evolves to in the future, these guys will have defined it. Like those two classical worthies, these guys have taken everything that went before and melded it into an academic discipline that learned men and women are already writing treatises on. Everything that comes after will either build on it, dilute it, or set out to tear it down.

That's the good part. The bad part is that it's indescribably boring. Compared with these guys, the pages and claptons and hendrixes of this world are just guitarists. And yet, Page and Clapton and Hendrix could say more in a 20 second lead break than the professors can manage in 20 minutes. Neil Young could convey more emotion playing the same note 20 times in a row than the academics can manage playing 20 notes in a second!

The exception on the strength of this album is the understated and charming Eric Johnson. He's a kind of acolyte - possibly a past student of Satriani's - who hasn't let pure abstract technique overcome his natural flair for melody, tone and phrasing. His three solo tracks are a refreshing break from the remorseless attack of heavy metal without theme or lyric that accounts for over half this album. I mean, just how do guys who write earnest but interchangeable instrumental compositions come up with titles? . . .

"Hey, Bill, I can't decide whether to call this one `Attack of the Killer Aspidistra' or `Plasma 659'. What do you think?"

"Dunno, how'd the lyrics go?"

"Ain't got no lyrics, jus' like all the others."

"OK, why not call it `My Cat's Got Chiggers'."

"Hey, thanks man, that gives me the idea for another riff!"

It has to be said, nobody who's grown up with prog rock is going to really dislike this. It contains three well-chosen tracks by each of the three front-men with faultless scratch-band support, followed by three jams on rock standards where the guys trade licks with ane another. Bits of it are tuneful, bits of it are stirring, bits of it could inspire you to take up the guitar yourself, bits of it are frightening enough to make you chuck your Strat in the pond.

On the other hand, one of the several solo albums by the three virtuosi is probably a better investment. And if you like great tunes, virtuoso solo-ing and impossibly tight ensemble playing, why not take a mega-risk and try 20 year old Hilary Hahn's dazzling cut of the Barber and Meyer violin concertos. Like pomp-rock before it, prof-rock is struggling to ape the sonic & thematic range, intellectual ambition, technical accomplishment and raw emotional power of classical music - still without success. If you share that vision, try the real classics.

This review is going to collect unhelpful votes like a dog collects fleas, but remember . . . they'll be existing converts to this impressive but soulless perfectionism.

It is a great album. - Review written on April 09, 2001
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Rating: 4 out of 5
6 customers found this review helpful, 1 did not.

I didn't even know Eric Johnson before I got this album. He is a fantastic player. If you like these guys already, you really can't go wrong. This is pretty similar to what you'll find on their albums though. The jam on Red House is an awesome performance and all 3 final songs are great. However Joe Satriani is nowhere near a blues vocalist, he does play a great electric blues guitar. As for Steve Vai, his choice of playing is always odd, and I always thought that some of his stuff was just silly even when it wasn't intended to be. That considered I still have to say that the rendition of For The Love of God always gives me goosebumps and it has got to be one of the greatest guitar led instrumentals that exist. Personally it's in my top 5 and I've heard a whole lot of them. These guys are all master guitar players and Vai gives atleast one other great tune to the picks which is the one he chose to do in the final three called My Guitar Wants to kill your mama- A Frank Zappa tune. If you can believe it, when Vai wasn't even old enough to purchase alcohol he was playing lead guitar for Frank doing all the difficult parts that Frank himself said he couldn't do. That's something to have on your resume. All three guys have three instrumentals and then all three play on 3 final jams taking turns singing for each song. Eric Johnson does a soulful yet almost timid vocal on Red House and Satriani does a rocking version of Goin' down, not to be confused with Goin' Down slow the classic blues song, Though this song might be a blues song in another version, I don't know.

As for Eric Johnson's instrumentals, he is an incredibly talented cool jazz man, and you won't forget his name after you hear them, in all probability anyway. This is one long great album full of mostly instrumental work. It's over 70 minutes long and it has tremendous sound quality. Hope that Helped.

G3 Live video versus cd - Review written on February 20, 2001
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Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

Joe Satriani sounds much tighter on the video than the cd. Eric Johnson has 2 different songs on video versus cd, but his performance was just as good. Steve Vai was a little bit tighter on the cd version and I thought his improvisatons sounded better and more intricate. Too bad they don't make video and also cd versions of the 2 different concerts. Bottom line--You've gotta have both!
One of the Best Live Guitar Rock Albums Ever Made! - Review written on January 19, 2001
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Rating: 5 out of 5
9 customers found this review helpful.

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!

Some of the best guitarists ever. 4.2/10 - Review written on December 04, 2000
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Rating: 4 out of 5
2 customers found this review not to be helpful.
This is the first REAL solo guitar album I bought. and its brilliant! I love heavy metal, But this album shows how a good musician can bring to life any style!
guitar heaven - Review written on August 23, 2000
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Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review not to be helpful.
on this cd each member plays three songs of there own and they play three songs together,the verrsions of gion down old freddie king song to tha amazing encore of "red house" only is worth the price of this cd
Great cd that has a great video, too! - Review written on July 22, 2000
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Rating: 5 out of 5
16 customers found this review helpful, 3 did not.

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!
A Must For Guitar Fans - Review written on May 29, 2000
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

Staggering. That is the only word to describe this album with. If you are a fan of solo guitar, then this album is the ultimate. Three of the geniuses of the instrument strut their stuff with their band for 3 songs apiece, and then, finally, all get on stage together and jam on three covers (with vocals no less). Personally, I like Steve Vai's set the best, closely followed by Satriani's. Johnson takes a more subtle route, bypassing most of the high-flying guitar pyrotechnics that his partners in crime use, showing that he is a true master of the instrument. All three jams are great, but the closing near 10 minute cover of Jimi Hendrix's Red House, with Johnson on vocals is the highlight of that set, and possibly the album, rivaled only by Vai's For The Love of God. Needless to say, this is an album to get if you are a fan of either three of these guitarists, or guitar soloing in general.
THE live album - Review written on April 21, 2000
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

what can you say about this album? steve vai, joe satriani,and eric johnson all on the same record. live recordings of steve anderic are hard enough to come by, but to get the three jams on this as well make it worth the money. the sound is surprisingly good for a live record. it almost sounds as good as it did at the show ... it also gives you a chance to hear johnson, who is often overlooked in the presence of such flashy players as vai. but this is great. especially the cover of zappa's "my guitar wants to kill your mama." these guys just rip it on this tune. amazing, mind blowing stuff.