I had front row seats at the Joe Satriani concert with Mountain at the Dodge Theater in Phoenix AZ Sunday night 11/9/08….totally awesome! I've seen Joe Satriani about 6 times now (Phoenix, Mesa, & Detroit area). But Sunday night, he was the BEST!

The concert was the best yet (like I said), I’d say probably because of where I sat - front row seats! So I had my own guitar lesson from the master. I mean I could have helped Satch do some finger taping; that’s how close – smack right in front of him. I’m sure he preferred a cute chick, but hey, I was playing air-guitar right along with him. His guitar playing is so intense; my ears welcomed some of his slow songs (I think he played 2). I still can't believe I saw the master up that close - Joe's guitar playing was absolutely phenominal!! The sound was excellent too - just perfect for my ears! He had a good backup rhythm guitarist playing along this time, which made the sound very full and complete.

Mountain was pretty cool too. The only song I remembered from them was Mississippi Queen. I caught a Corky Laing drum stick, and one of Stu Hamm’s base guitar picks (he actually hit me in the chest with it – good aim). That dude can play base; he did an awesome base solo, playing familiar songs – he almost makes me feel like taking up base guitar. Leslie West played some pretty cool blues guitar in his band, and then later at the end with Satch (dueling guitars on Leslie West's Signature Dean guitars). My ears are still ringing with Satriani tunes...

I do have to go out and buy some of Satriani’s newer stuff. A lot of the songs he played Sunday night were very intense and from his newer recordings. Did I tell you my ears are still ringing with his tunes….

One other thing I forgot to tell you about the show. Almost half way into Mountain performance, Leslie West just fell over – dropped to the floor and didn’t move. Of course I thought….shoot, I got front row tickets to see Leslie West’s last performance and die of a heart-attack….live in my face. Everybody just stopped playing and all the house lights went on. I guess he must of tripped over a chord or peddle or something. A couple of guitar techs came running out and helped him back up. All Leslie said was: damn that hurt, and then continued with the show.

What a flippin excellent show!! I think I'm always going to shoot for front row tickets from now on. It sure made the difference!!

Tom..

This was a fun show...my nine year old daughter's first concert in her life - and she loved it. My wife and I enjoyed seeing Leslie play - and both thought "dear god, the man's had a heart attack" when he tripped and fell - thank god it wasn't that! I'll admit to not being a Mountain fan, but seeing him play, particularly on the encore jams was a great treat.

Joe's set was well played - with a good variety of songs in his list. I loved hearing Time Machine, and Andalusia is one of my fav tracks from the new album. Stu's solo piece was great (in my daughter's words, "that looks hard"), and I enjoyed it - but wouldn't mind seeing it shaken up a bit more in terms of variety. His playing was solid, and I dare say more entertaining than Dave LaRue in general on stage. And Campitelli's playing is just as solid as when I saw Jonathan Mover play with Joe....both are a treat to hear live.

We didn't really have any criticisms of the show...at this time, we prefer him live than to the studio (not to knock the albums at all), and will continue to see him when he comes through town. Thanks Joe for a great show, keep coming back!

An amazing show no doubt despite being plagued with a few mishaps. Leslie West hitting the floor was frightening considering my attention was diverted at the drummer knocking over one of his cymbals constantly then a loud bang and Leslie on the floor. I think with me, and for most people, the words "heart attack" came to mind given his age and girth but luckily it wasn't anything of the sort. That and the drummer's sticks not flying in the intentional directions and Joe's wah dieing out during summer song made it fairly eventful/entertaining.

All of the songs from the new album were amazing, though would have liked to hear a few more from the new album. But coupled in with Time Machine and One Big Rush, it was definitely one of the strongest setlists imaginable. Seeing Joe with the Les Paul at the end was perfect in proving that Joe will sound like Joe no matter what guitar/equipment he uses which was part of an answer during the meet and greet. All in all, best performance by joe yet, and something that will be etched into my memories for years to come. Can't wait for the next tour.