Vai, Satriani, and Malmsteen returned to the stage to perform the traditional G3 Jam. This night would feature Neil Young's "Rockin' In The Free World" and Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing" and "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)". Satriani took the lead vocals on "Rockin In The Free World". Holy Christ did he look stoned during this encore. His eyes looked like little red slits behind those weird tinted glasses, and he had
this big goofy grin on his face the entire time. Must be nice to be that fucked up and still play flawlessly. This was a great jam but the ending seemed to go on forever as they traded what seemed like about 50 solos back and forth before concluding. Yngwie annoyed the hell out of me and he nearly ruined the song with his inappropriate and incessant super-sonic speed runs throughout the song. He is so one dimensional. Vai took the lead vocals on "Little Wing" and played some amazingly melodic and soulful guitar throughout. The version on Vai's Astoria DVD is much better than this one, because it doesn't have all of the showing off. It was Yngwie's turn to sing "Voodoo Child", and his "singing" made Vai and Satch's vocals sound like friggin' Robert Plant. Holy shit is he a horrendous singer. I promise I will never put down his guitar playing again--I take that back, he played this song terribly. It was generally just not a good version, as all three guitarists were just trying to one-up each other throughout the entire song.
The production quality of this DVD is comparable to the first G3 DVD. The picture was reasonably clear and sharp, but the reflective stage backdrop created a lot of glare and color problems. The camera work was performed well. Most of the good guitar solos were presented as close-ups to show the guitarists fretwork, which is a must for this type of concert. The audio quality was excellent. Each of the guitarists sets varied slightly in sound mix quality, but they all provided for some decent instrument separation and an authentic live feel.
I only wish they would have released the 2001 G3 tour, with John Petrucci, on DVD instead of this one. Actually it would be nice if they
released every tour on DVD, so long as the guest guitarist rocks, and the set lists are fresh and new.
Article comments
1 - Tom
Christ, Does this shit get repetitive. Every solo sounds the same, I can only watch 10 minutes before falling asleep.
No soul in any of the performances Yngwie's being the worst!. God he really cant help himself from playing garbage, hes just in essence, a fat fuck and a souless, boring guitar player.
The only point in this DVD is to watch Vai play off against the dude with the green ibanez playing the keboards. Thats semi interesting.
Overall, it's rubbish. Satriani and Vai put in somewhat lacklustre performances whle Yngwie plays absolute shite, like he normally does.
If only he could play somthing soulful, he definately has the technical ability.
2 - Dan
I think for the most part Satch and Vai gave good performances. I really liked Satch's solo on Starry Night. Very soulful. Vai played great but could have had a better set list.
Yngwie is a complete moron though. He's like a big fat clown trying despretly to be the top guitarist. He has no feel whatsoever. His playing annoys me, his stupid stage antics annoy me, he cannot even play in time. The acoustic solo was the worst thing I ever heard in my life. Completely sloppy with a horrible acoustic tone. He disrespects Hendix by playing his song without any feel. His constant shredding gets real old with the same licks all the time. If I hear that stupid diminished lick one more time I'm gonna kill somebody!
What I don't like about this line up, is that Satch and Vai lower themselves to Yngwie's level during the jam. They constantly shred in an attempt to keep up with Yngwie. Come one guys, you're better than that.
All in all it's worth buying, but only to see Satch and Vai's solo sets.
3 - James
Overal I liked this show, But I guess it can only appeal to a small crowd of people, Preferring guitar technicality over lyrical value. I really enjoyed Joe Satriani and Steve Vai's sets, Love the one hand tapping sequence on Joe's Mystical Potato Head Groove Thing, And I love the energy he put into his performance combined with his dazzling guitar skills.
Steve Vai's set was amazing, The opening song on his three necked guitar was gorgeous, Anyone who can play with that much confidence and blistering skill deserves respect. The other songs he plays also show off his skills on the guitar, and perhaps a more sensitive approach to guitaring as well, rather than just speed.
Yngwie's set, was, as said, quite repetitive, He focuses on simply blazing the crap out of his frets rather than 'touching' the audience with what he plays like Steve Vai does, The acoustic solo didn't impress me in sound, he barely leaves any time for the notes to ring, Which to me is the point of an acoustic, The speed and fingering however were impressive, But suited to an electric. The jam at the end, I really liked, And personally I didn't think that Yngwie's voice was that bad, And I though his guitaring in Voodoo Child was impressive, Although his spinning and twirling of the guitar does get very annoying.
But, no-one can deny after seeing this that he has shedloads of skill on the guitar, Just lacks soul!
Overall I really enjoyed this show as to me, It shows how skilled these three guitarists are (And proves that there are many skilled guitarists out there, those who played with Steve Vai, And the jaw-dropping bassing done by Billy Sheehan.)
Never seen any other G3 shows, so I can't compare it, but I really enjoyed this, Just Malmsteen's guitar swinging put me off.
4 - Paul Roy
James, I enjoyed the other two G3 DVD's much more than this one. I'd check them out too.
5 - spankoaur
Loved the G3 Denver Show, however I have an issue with your critque. Vai DOES NOT start playing the melody on the 12 string neck, he begins on the 6 String Neck, then moves to the unfretted 6 string neck, and finally incorperates the 12 string. :)