I've hopped around and read a few reviews. I'd say about 85% bash Yngwie. I guess you just have to be a well-rounded musician to appreciate Yngwie's style. In my humble opinion, he ripped beyond belief. My lower jaw was on the floor. My wife was laughing at me, telling me to "close my mouth". I am a big Paganini fan. Paganini ripped the violin to shreds back in the late 1700's to early 1800's. I'm convinced he started the heavy metal tradition. It was so much fun watching Yngwie fly through the Paganini style arpeggios. I love the little Tchaikovsky bit Yngwie threw in there.

Steve was awesome. His 4 note riff where he was nailing 2 notes then sliding all the way down the neck and niling 2 notes and sliding back up to the previous 2 notes and back and forth at a million miles an hour blew me away. His band he put together was rediculous. Billy sheehan . . . wow. They all ripped. Very cool when the four of them played eachothers guitars while picking their own.

Joe was right on. Very good riffs. His tunes are so catchy and cool. He's been ahead of his time all along. This was my first G3. I had a great time. What an opportunity to see some of the worlds greatest guitar players in one night. Hope they bring it back. It was well worth it.

I won the backstage passes to the the Meet-and-Greet after the concert through a local radio station! It was awesome, and I'll discuss that at the end. Here's my concert review:

The Saenger Theatre in Pensacola is an 1800 seat theatre with a floor section and a balcony. We had pretty good seats on the left side on the aisle on the 25th row.

First out was Yngwie, who I was most looking forward to seeing, as he was the first guitarist of this calibre I'd ever heard back in elementary school. This was my first time to see him live. I'd read on here that people said he kinda over did it on stage (80s kicks, throwing picks, etc), but I thought it was pretty good. He really played on the audience, and even bent down and let the people in the front row tap on his guitar (with the volume off of course). There was a huge Yngwie contengent in the crowd Sunday, which I was glad to see. You can't argue that Yngwie is a MASTER of the instrument! He literally TEARS IT UP out there. Simply amazing. I like Yngwie's style, so I really loved his part of the show. If you don't like Yngwie, you might not like it as much, but you sure as hell have to appreciate it!

As for Vai, he was awesome too. I read on here that he kinda stole the show in some cities he was so good, but that wasn't the case on Sunday. Don't get me wrong, he was on, and was awesome. But he didn't stand out ahead of Yngwie or Joe. He talked the most with the crowd, and was the most personable I think. A girl in the audience gave him flowers, and he gave her his necklace!! I bet that made her day! I talked to her after the show and that was one big heavy necklace/chain. Vai's a master of tapping and effects. His redition of Whispering a Prayer was awesome!

Joe Satriani was freaking ON Sunday night!! He was probably the one I was looking forward to hearing the least, but he sure impressed me! His performances were flawless, and his tone was outstanding! He definately had the best sound out there, awesome tone, and super clear. He is an outstanding songwriter, and his new song he played (not sure of the name, but it was his 3rd or 4th song) was just an awesome song. I loved it. Joe really proved to me that he is one of the top guitarists in the world, and is just an outstanding songwriter and live performer.

Like I said Joe had the best sound/tone out there by far. His was the best sounding and the clearest. Vai and Yngwie were about the same. Yngwie's was super loud, but pretty good. Vai's wasn't quite as loud, but wasn't that clear either, which is maybe was hurt him in my eyes. Just as an FYI, Joe and Steve used cords, and Yngwie was wireless. For sheer command of the instrument, I'd have to give it to Yngwie, with Vai a close second and Satch. Joe was the most on Sunday, like I said, he was flawless. If Yngwie and Via's sound would have been a little better, I might think the same about them. Joe also had the best set, followed by Vai and Yngwie. Joe sure had some beautiful guitars!

It was an AWESOME show, and when they came out and played together it was magic. They played Voodoo Chile with Yngwie on lead and vocals and it rocked! Then they played Little Wing with Vai on lead and they tore it up. Last was Rockin' in the Free World (I HATE NEIL YOUNG) but they pulled that of awesome too. Joe did the vocals, and each took turns on lead. They played off each other very well, and they switched leads flawlessly. When they played together at the same time, it sounded AWESOME!! The only technical difficulties all night were about 5 seconds when Yngwie's wireless cut out, but he just turned around and it picked back up. Like I said that only lasted 5 seconds. JOE, STEVE AND YNGWIE GOT ALONG BEAUTIFULLY OUT THERE!! They all talked to each other, played off each other, and none of them tried to outshine the others. I was impressed!

Seeing how awesome the show was, I couldn't wait for the Meet-and-Greet after the show!!!!! There were about 35-40 of us with passes, so it was kinda crowded, but still awesome. My cousin and I sat right by the door and waited for them to come out. They all came out at the same time and went to different ends of the room to spread out the crowd. Since I was right by the door, I was the first to talk to Steve Vai. He sure is a nice guy! I had printed out a picture of my winning Jack-O-Lantern for all of them to sign. Steve thought it was really cool! I got Steve to sign my BOSS DS-1 pedal Modified by Robert Keeley (Vai uses one) which is SOOO COOL! I then went to talk to Joe Satriani, who was in the middle of the room surrounded by people. He is SUCH a nice guy!!!! Talking with people however long they wanted, taking pictures, signing everything. I got him to sign my picture, and he thought it was so cool too. Also got him to sign my Surfing with the Alien CD. Then I went to go find Yngwie. He was sitting at a folding table against the other wall signing autographs. Being Yngwie fans, we were really looking forward to this. He was signing what people wanted, and wasn't mean to people, but you can tell he's not as nice a guy as Joe or Steve. He was trying to hurry people up every now and then saying he had to go to Washington DC. I got him to sign my Oddesey and Collection CDs, and then I put my Jack-O-Lantern picture in front of him on the desk.... HAHA HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK!! Being from Europe, I guess he didn't grow up with Halloween/Jack-O-Lanterns. He kinda put his hands up, looked at it, paused... and then signed it. He looked at me and smiled. My cousin got him to sign his Yngwie instructional video. I explained what the Jack-O-Lantern picture was to all three of them, and they thought it was cool. My cousin bought a play bill and got them all to sign it and make it out to him personally. It was AWESOME! We're gonna put the play bill Jack-O-Lantern picture, tickets, and autographs in a big frame.

Anyway, I had a great time. This was definately the best concert I've ever gone to. It was soo cool meeting these guys! To think, we met three of the greatest guitar players to ever play the instrument. Thanks so much to you guys for helping me win the contest and get the passes! I hope all of you get to go see one of the remaining G3s this year. As Yngwie said: "You don't wanna miss this... You don't wanna miss this!"

If it was not for my Dad (Kip Mitchell 1932-1983) I would not have picked up that first guitar...He still is my no.1 guitar hero...I love you Dad > > >

AWSOME SHOW...The show started with Yngwie...outstanding shredder his classical influences are what makes him a well deserved G3'er. He is a fast well rounded picker. Steve-AMAZING-I could have sat all night listening and watching him play he is even more pasionate live. Joe-what can i say-HE IS THE MASTER-note for note on everysong when he ended his set i was thourougly disappointed the time went by so quick. He is guitar he is one with the music...and that my friends is what makes a musician of the highest caliber.

For me the show was the best concert i have ever been to for a few reasons one i had great seats 5 rows back left center from the stage-btw Joe plays left stage-The Saenger is an outstanding venue a beautiful classical setting for a beautiful experience Two I got to go to the Meet and Greet all three were great and acomodating there were about 75 to 100 ppl there and it was hot they all were wonderful and willing to sign all kinds of things including my ol' 1976 Electra-now I need to seal it-pictures were allowed also I hope mine come out. Last but not least Three I went to the show with my SoulMate musicaly and in life-Thank you Baby(acerbicaxeman) > >

Diana

HOYL SHIT!!!!!!!!!!! By far better than G3 of 2001 with Petrucci, specially in some ancient operah house. the Mix was superb, abosulety superb the vocals could have been a little better, the only complaint i have IS THE GUY THAT JUMPED ON STAGE PASSED UP A PERFET OPPURTUNITY TO SHOE DR.VAI WAHT HER WAS MADE OF. instead he stonde outta his mind and thinks hels at a pnatera concert. as much as i love dimebag you DO NOT miss an oppurtunty with DR VAI. ESPECIALLY WHEN HE HANDS YOU HIS GUITAR. some idiots piss me off.

he Yngwie, you wan a donut?