The playing by all 3 was magnificent, however the soundmen for all 3 of them should be fired. The volume was way too loud for such a small venue and the balances were all screwed up. When you're as good as these 3 guys are, you don't need massive volume to drive it home. You really need to take a critical look at the ages of your fan base. Most of the people I saw at the show were in their late 30's...most of us are getting a bit old to have the volume that high!

The addition of Yngwie Malmsteen to the line-up this year added a lot of energy and excitement to the show. Great job to Yngwie. I can't believe the whiners on this review site. Imagine everyone complaining about Pete Townshend or Ted Nugent smashing his guitar or about any other rock guitarist having had a few drinks before getting on stage! Get a life. Yngwie gave a rock show with better guitar playing than you'll ever do. If you thought his solos were repetative, you really weren't listening....might be repeative because he hit every note possible at a speed that should be illegal. Steve Vai gets the most unusual sounds out of his guitars and plays with a lot of feeling and really seems to have fun with his songs. His backup band was the best of the three as well. Joe....what can I say....exceptional musician all around. Thanks for sponsoring this awesome display of talent. I really enjoyed seeing the three of you playing together. I'll remember it for a long time to come. Thanks again.

Yngwie: What can I say. He was way into it. However, last thing I need to see is a 300 pound swedish guy in tight leather pants playing guitar with his fat ass. It seemed a little over the top. His playing was pretty sloppy. Of all the players Yngwie spent the most time on stage alone. His band would leave stage frequently leaving him to masturbatorily wank around for five minutes or so which was very off putting. He would swing the guitar all over but it seemed so contrived and clumsy. He really seemed like he was trying to put on a good show but it was so poorly executed. He would hold his guitar out and fly it all over the place trying to be wild and crazy with it but it looked like he just didn't know any moves to do such. He also isn't kicking as high as he used to. He threw out tons of picks. His gimp had a hard time keeping up with stocking the mic stand with more picks. He also threw his guitar at his gimp about five times during his set. Yes, literally threw it at him. Once over his own head backward. A few times after he threw his guitar away and was waiting for his gimp to bring a new one, his band would be playing sans Yngwie. They were super tight and locked in together. However, soon enough, he would start playing and things would fall apart. I don't know if I caught him on an off night or what, but his band were better off without him. He was just so sloppy and uneven. He seemed to play for a really long time.

Vai: They had it planned out. They didn't even dim the house lights and out walks Vai on stage like he's not coming out to play but just skimming across the stage. When people see him and start cheering, he looks up and acts like he didn't expect people to notice him up there. After that he sits in a big fluffy red chair and the tech brings out his triple neck Jem. He plays for a while by himself, which is amazing, but like Yngwie doing it, was just a little self indulgent and frankly, boring. Once his band joined him the sparks were flying as they ripped through their set. Vai is a true entertainer. Everything is well choreographed to give maximum bang. Tony McAlpine was way underused, I thought. A few times he got to come out and totally shred against Vai. Trading licks or harmonizing them. No doubt Tony is a monster player in his own right. Of course, what would a Vai set be without some sort of all band spectacle and this one was no different. That nights menu included the four band members, Vai, McAlpine, Sheehan, Wiener all lining up at the front of the stage trading licks and adding harmonies to one another in turn and eventually fretting only each others instruments and just being amazing spectacles of showmanship. Then his set ended. I don't know if it was because I was enjoying it so much but he seemed to play less than half the time Yngwie did. Very disappointing. Vai played songs I've never heard him do live before (I've seen him five times) and did not play some old standbys. Quite cool really. "The Reaper" from Bill & Ted and "Juice" from Alien Love Secrets stand out. Disappointingly absent was "The Attitude Song". Billy Sheehan was incredibly underused. It was kind of odd that Vai was spending the money to have him there as he pretty much filled the typical bass player role most of the time.

Satch: Joe was typical Joe. He came out and did his thing. Well executed set without too much showmanship. Flawless playing, not a lot of action. Still, it's Joe! He also pulled out some unusual songs for a Satch set. This was also the fifth or sixth time I've seen Joe so it was cool to hear some different tunes. "Crushing Day" and "Midnight" off Surfing and "Mystical Potato Head Groove Thing" from Blue Dream were a few of the songs I haven't heard him do live typically. Of course, old standbys like "Flying In A Blue Dream" and "Summer Song" had to come out. Joe played for a suitably long time.

G3 Jam: Was actually a little disappointing though Yngwie was a lot more palatable in that situation. They did four tunes and all of them shined throughout. Yngwie threw a pick that hit my buddy in the eye. My buddy commented that he wished he had a donut to throw back at the Momsteen. Yngwie's pick throwing was fairly innacurate overall. He would often attempt to throw picks that would just land right in front of the stage and half dozen or so actually just landed right on stage because he didn't throw them far enough. One he actually threw back behind the amps... At one point during the last song, Billy Sheehan sneaks out and stands behind Yngwie while he's doing the swedish shredder thang. Billy sort of looks over Yngwie's shoulder mocking like he's trying to see what the portly man is playing. Then when he sees, he's like, "Oh, OK" and proceeds to just shred like a mad fool on his bass completely showing Yngwie up. Playing easily as fast and five times cleaner and did I mention absolutely shredding on bass?

Overall the show was great and I had a great time and enjoyed the whole thing. There it is!

Wow! This was a blast. First, the sound was damn good considering the venue. Nice intimate performance. I didn't expect Malmsteen to open, but man did he open. He was the quintessential decadant, arrogant, over-stuffed, european, 80s metal head and that's exactly what I love about him. Yngwie, don't change a thing! Your stage presence and energy is matched only by your skill. I understand the classical thing that you do even though many do not. The highlight for me was seeing you sing and play Voodoo Chile. I think many misunderstood that Joe and Steve have done this so many times together, they get a kick out of handing a lot of the spotlight off to the "other" guy. I think it was a cool and classy thing to do.

Steve Vai...what can I say? Total class, great stage theatrics. I appreciate a guy that dresses well, acts appropriately, loves his woman, and delivers totally unique guitar performances. I had a feeling he'd steal the show, and he did. I plan to check out a lot more of his work after this. By the way, hats off to Tony MacAlpine. I have followed his work for years and he is absolutely capable of doing anything anyone else did...guitar and keyboard. Steve is a saint for having you in there. The "shoot out" between Tony and Steve had me roaring.

Joe Satriani is absolutely...well...Joe. Humble, happy, and oh yeah plays a hell of a guitar. I have followed for years and will continue. I do think that his band was not great. Good, not great. They all needed a serious wardrobe makeover. with no real sets or lighting the grey and black sweats and t-shirts weren't much to look at. That may sound dopey, but it's part of the presentation. End result: greatest thing I've ever been to and I hate to say it's passed. I look forward to more and desperately hope that there is a DVD of this tour!!!

I give the show a 9 out of 10. The venue was unusual, but the sound got better with each player. I would have preferred just G2, as I didn't care much for Malmsteen, Steve and Joe would be a GREAT show in itself. Malmsteen went on too long, and Steve seemed a little short, but Joe's set was killer. He played awesome as usual, and the songs he chose ran the gamut of his career. It is too bad they allowed Malmsteen to play way too loud and and shred us to death, before some better music came on. Also, he should be told to stop the Spinal Tap antics during the encore portion of the show. I personally wouldn't want one of his pics. He appeared to be gearing up for a WWF stint.

Steve Vai seems to enjoy playing and I have always found his style appealing. Anyone who toured with Zappa at 19, is a decorated veteran of Rock and he will always have a little of that influence. I still think he is very underated as a player and wonder why is is not more well known. Anyway, a very good set, albeit too short.

Joe was is great form, and as always seems humble and appreciative towards the audience. There were many young people in attendance, and if this was their first time, they got a real treat. He is so good good, that I wonder why he is not mentioned more when people discuss the best guitarists, etc. Next time, how about Jeff Beck with Joe and Steve. Now that would be something! Thanks G3, DTRocks-Tualatin

All I can say is WOW! Gets a 9 only because the Portland Art Museum has a lousy sound stage, and the seating was a bit cramped- along with single floor level. If you are short, you didn't get to see much. But, what an honor being in the room with these three guys. Malmsteen was fast, harsh, and downright crazy. Vai, what a feeling to finally see you live. The song you dedicated to your wife was awsome. As for Joe, this guy is leaps and bounds above every guitarist on earth. Simply beautiful, and simply amazing.

The best part: I took my Ibanez hoping (100 to 1 chance) that I would run into Joe outside. Walked out, found a tour bus, and thought, maybe here. Fiance ran and got the guitar, and while we are standing there, Joe pops out of the bus. I seriously think I died. He signed it, we shook hands, and I have now completed one of the top ten things to do in my life- Meet Joe Satriani in person.

You are the master Joe, and thank you so much for taking the time out to visit Portland again. I will catch you at every event possible. Your class is surpassed by none!

Derek Schott, Albany OR

This is my second G3 show. I attended the 1996 show in Minneapolis (when they filmed the G3 video). All three guitarists were obviously superb in their abilities, there's no doubt about that. I came with an open mind about Yngwie's music since I had never heard it before. I left irritated by his on-stage antics and his melody-less tunes. It was all shred and no melody. I'm sure others won't agree with that statement but that's what I felt. One last gripe...the volume was way toooo loud. I still don't understand why they don't turn it down from "11" to about "7" so we can hear all the musicians. Enough complaining. I did have a very good time otherwise. My 7th time seeing Joe and it never gets old. He's fun to watch and I can follow a melody through his tunes. 3rd time seeing Vai. I loved his playing and presence as well. Lastly, I felt sorry for Yngwie's roadie who had to keep restocking the guitar picks all evening. It was a bit of a distraction, especially during the final jam. Anyone else agree?

School Teacher Lebanon, OR

I spent well over $100 to get me to my first G3 experience and bring a friend for her first Satch encounter. JS' set floored me as usual. He played "Why" on the last tour and OPENED with it this time. I love that song and was grateful and overjoyed to hear it again. My primary goal was seeing Steve Vai for the first time after having been a fan a few years in the making. Loved "Juice," but it was all a wash in my ears (19th row on the floor.) "Whispering A Prayer" was fantastic and the opening jams (new songs?) with hints of compositions past kept ME hooked and evoked some cheers from the old-skool fanbase. Yngwie - well, THAT was a first for me. Never listened to him before and came with an open mind. He has the stage presence to trump any performer and a wardrobe that must evoke calls from Cher's stagehands, asking for tips. Yngwie can SHRED. However, he can't calm himself when need be. Almost every time Joe went to the mic (or even Billy when he came out for "La Grange") Yngwie was busy filling any and all moments of silence. When Joe's rig went amiss (during the 2nd Hendrix tune, I believe), Vai looked concerned and went to check Joe's rig for him (while Satch was lost in oblivion). Yngwie was busy playing (over Joe's section) and I just got the overall feeling that he REALLY didn't fit in or had made any effort during the tour thus far to step down from his own platform to really meld with the guys on stage. The stage setup of the jam was almost constantly Joe & Steve, stage left - Yngwie, stage right. If he ever switches to a low-carb diet in the near future, a side of humble pie would serve as just desserts.

Satch's setlist - * Why * Crushing Day * Crystal Planet * Starry Night * Midnight * Flying In A Blue Dream * The Power Cosmic (excerpt) * The Mystical Potato Head Groove Thing * Always With Me... * Summer Song *

Thanks Joe and Steve! Come back soon!

Great Show! YM is as good as he thinks he is. Great entertainer. VAI and co. were very tight, excellent set. Joe kicked serious ass. The master! The Jams were fantastic. 4 songs! Rockin' in a free world was my fave!!! Loved the venue and the overall sound was pretty good.

Thanks for putting on a great show fellas!

TheFireman--- Bend, Oregon

Good show - not the best venue. Portland Art Museum is smallish with no areas for smoking, and no re-entry allowed. Many fans were upset by the fact the we were locked in for more than 3 hours with no place to smoke a cig or other. The seating was tight, the place was crowded and the sound was not that great. Next time I hope the show will be scheduled at a better venue such as the Keller or Roseland.

Always good to see Joe, and Steve was excellent. Malmsteen was okay but a bit too wild and frisky on stage (how about a low fat diet dude). The G3 tour is a great thing - however my ears are still ringing the next day. Way loud. The 3 together on stage was good but a bit overbearing, not the best part of the show for sure.

My first G3 show - enjoyed it, but will prefer a Joe solo show anytime. Or maybe a G2 show with Steve.

This show was by far the best I have seen in many years,Joe,steve and Malmsteen were awesome.After the show I was able to meet and talk with Joe,and to be honest, he is the most polite and conciderate individual I have met.Thanks Joe see you next year you are the greatest Guitarest...........

Rob Mance Salem,Oregon