A fantastic show. I hadn't seen Satriani play in more than 10 years--last time was in Philly in 1990, I think--and my only regret was that the show came to an end. I prefer "Flying in a Blue Dream" as an opener, and wish he'd play "Friends" live, but that doesn't change my ranking. I'd heard "Rasberry Jam" so many times on CD, but watching it live added a whole new dimension to it, almost as though I hadn't heard it before. Now I can't stop listening to it, and I've started to drive my girlfriend crazy.

I don't think I'm going to wait 10 years before I see another Satriani show!

Hello, I was at this show and it was Great! The sound quality was superb where I was sitting (front row center). John Petrucci, Steve Vai and then Joe Satriani blazed the stage. I then got the chance to meet, get autographs and pictures with many of the band memebers including John, Steve and Joe. Thanks for the picture Joe! It came out awesome and is now blown up and hanging on my wall inspiring me daily to become the next great guitar hero.

Thank you and Rock On!

Rodney R. Bushey

The night was just surreal, so many “Gods” in one place on the stage at the same time. John Petrucci came on first with Dave LaRue and Mike Portnoy. He did a good job playing long songs and odd times even with short hair … a joke for any of you that watched the home video on the DT website. They played some new material and some LTE material. It would have been really cool if Jordan and Tony were there too. They were tight and a joy to listen to. Next up Vai, Sheehan, Keneally, Donati and Weiner. The opener for Vai was Shy boy, written by Billy and sung by Billy (an old Talas tune). Vai’s onstage chemistry with Sheehan was incredible, they looked like they were having so much fun. I enjoyed Vai’s onstage antics. From twirling his guitar around by the whammy bar to tongue harmonics to letting an audience member play his whammy bar for a few seconds to the fuzzy pimp hat and glittery star sunglasses. The audience member played the whammy bar well too, and Steve’s expression let him know that he did it well. Last were Satriani, Hamm and Campitelli. These guys were solid … nothing more can be said that hasn’t already. After Joe’s set John, Steve and Billy joined Joe and his band for a jam session. What a wild time that was, which included vocals by Billy, Vai and Satch. At the end of the show we all sang happy birthday to Joe and the performers covered him with silly string. (Joe’s birthday was really the 15th but that was a night off for them). This show is everything you would expect from such world-class talent.

While all of the performers had their different ideas and approaches, it is impossible to say one was better then the other. In fact the differences are what made the show.

Excuse me, whoever you are Michelle, but I don't think insulting is necessary. I tried to contact you in person, but I am just responding to you publicly since you didn't even reveal your email adress. It's a shame that you are so disrespectful to opinions of others. I doubt that you know anything about guitar playing. And I am sorry but Joe's drummer Jeff can't play near as good as Mike Portnoy or Virgil. As a big Satch fan, I appreciate his music so much and I am entitlted to my opinions. Also if you read my whole review, you should notice the fact that I said "There is no doubt that it was a GREAT show". Please don't be rude to insult someone publicly online. Email me personall if you have something to say. Thank you.

Actually the jamming segment was kind of redundant. Joe's performance was almost exactly same as one show I attended last year in NYC. Petrucci came up with some new material that definitely reflected upon his style. Vai was really on fire during the whole segment, and it was really entertaining. However, Joe's rhythm section wasn't particularly impressive at all. The drummer was plain boring and Stu wasn't doing what he really could do on his bass guitar. By the way people were saying "STUUUU" if you thought why anyone would "boooo" at him. I wish Mike Portnoy would have played with all 3 guys during the jamming section, because it would have made the whole segment a way better. I don't understand why they would have Jeff Campitelli play during the G3 jamming segment. Also I didn't see the need for 2 bass players being on one stage if they wouldn't do any solo... Also I think that JP sort of lacked emotions during Hendrix tune. No matter how much I love Dream Theater guitar solos, I'd still need to admit that blues isn't really his specialty. Out of all 3 guitarists, I truly believe that Joe can play with so much more feelings and soul, especially when it comes to blues. If you check out his self-titled album, you'd know what I am talking about. I don't mean to be so critical, but I am being honest about my overall feelings about the concert. There is no doubt that it was a great show overall, but I still think it kind of lacked something and could have been better. I wish they would make it very different and more interesting next time, such as Satriani doing Vai songs, Vai doing Satriani songs, or something that would particuarly make a difference compared to previous G3 shows. Thank you all the fans out there and God Bless!

What can I say about Saturday night’s show at the Beacon (NYC), that hasn’t already been described so perfectly and without sounding like I’m gushing insincerely?!!!

Everyone played incredibly beyond imagination!!!!!!... Joe, Steve and John’s musical styles are SO well matched that it made the harmonies in Little Wing make me want to cry! So Unreal! (PLEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZEEE make a DVD or Single of that performance, Guys!!!! This has to be documented for history’s sake if not for us fans!!!!!!) If anyone had been trying to reach Jimmi Hendrix in a seance Saturday night it would have been impossible because he was ~Definitely~ somewhere at the G3 show!!!!!! (probably thinking to himself “Damn! - I never knew it could sound that good!)

I was ~So VERY Happy~ to sing Happy Birthday to Joe with everyone at the show and it was so neat to actually SEE how humbled he felt. The Guys deserve ALL the positive press imaginable because they’re ALL worth it!!! THANK YOU for a night of music that I will ~Never~ forget!!! -- The Lady

Hi everybody! I’m from Ecuador in South America, and I’ve seen several shows already over here in the States…but nothing like this last Saturday! It was my best show ever! Those guys were amazing! All of them! And besides, since I won one of those after-show passes, nothing can top that, I really tried not to be an idiot when I was right in front of such great musicians, but I was amazed at how they pay attention to each single (and very long) question that their fans made, and they also responded with a very kind (and long) answer, not just a plain yes or no! Amazing considering that they just finished playing a long show. When two or three years ago I heard of the G3 Tour I thought that I was never going to see that again in my life, but guess what… It was great!!! John Petrucci was incredible! Steve Vai was amazing! And Satch was flawless! Their respective band members where so good! I think I have no words to praise enough this show! So my advice would be go and check it out your self! You will agree with me! Finally I want to thank to the guys that run Satriani.com for the great night I had with that after-show pass, thanks so much guys and keep up the great job you’re doing!

Always:

Jaime Moscoso.

I loved the Hendrix National Anthem blasted over the PA to commence the show as the house lights drop. 1) really gets your adrenaline pumping and 2) is an appropriate tribute, imo, to the man who started it all.

Act One: Fretboard Knowledge & The Mesas

I'm just not crazy about Petrucci-I'm sorry. I mean the first night it was real exciting to see him just cause, well, you don't see somone play with like that, with such technical proficiency everyday, but I feel he lacks soul. He's an extremely cognitive, left-brained kind of player, however you can't accuse him/his playing of not possessing a terrific imagination. I give him an A for stage presence, although nothing compares to the stage presence of Steve Vai.

Act Two-Loudness, Theatrics, and Circus Vibe

Steve Vai plays way too loud. I had never seen him before although I'm a huge long-time fan. Out of everybody, I was most curious to see Vai. He took the stage with an incredible gust of energy (which was acutally just the air molecules in theater being pushed by his absurd volume)and it was just plain exciting to be in the room. It was pure entertainment and I thought that I was really getting some bang for my buck; the ticket was worth $50. If you were on the floor of the Beacon, particulary towards the front, it was almost impossible to resist the urge to stand up. I thought to myself the next day how funny and apropos it would be if he managed to play the David Lee Roth tune "Standup" from Skyscraper after the Roth tune he opens his set with. BILLY SHEEHAN!!!!!!!!!! So cool to see Billy Sheehan alone, nontheless playing with Vai. There was a rumor that the eat em and smile Roth band might reform in the next 2-3 years. Whatever the case, awesome to see Billy S. This might be a good place to mention the AMAZING BASS PLAYERS OF G3 DAVE LARUE! BILLY SHEEHAN! STU HAMM!

When thinking about whether or not to spend the money for a ticket to g3, don't forget that in addition to world-class guitar, you'll also get to see world-class bass players and drummers.

Despite Vai's deafening volume-many people were prepared with earplugs and that's not a bad idea if you are going to be sitting close to the stage-his sat night set had an energy that was not present friday. People were standing up for the majority of the set whereas friday they generally sat after 2-3 songs on friday.

Act 3: Satch Rules

Satch kicked ass and he too seemed to be playing with an extra agression sat night. He just kicked ass. Plain and simple. I could and should say more but it's like 4 am and i am crashing. so for now, He is the man and always will be. He's a wonderful, special human being and I really appreciated him taking the time to talk to me for a few minutes during the aftershow, even though it was during the subway ride home that I thought of what I'd most like to talk with him about

I'd also really like to thank Billy Sheehan for taking the time to speak with me after the show.

my new email is jonkatz@vanhalen2000.com

What can I say that has not already been said about these guys already? I've been fortunate to have seen Joe and Steve a few times over the years but this show blew them all out of the water...the energy was electric! This was the very first time I saw John Petrucci and he was nothing less than incredible...a kick ass guitar player. Hats off, too, to the rest of the guys in his band. I'm going to make it a point to add some Dream Theater CD's to my collection.

Steve Vai was, as always, an incredible treat for the ears and eyes and let me tell you he was on fire! I've read some reviews from people saying that he's too much of a showman. So what's the problem with that??? This guy comes out swingin' every time you see him and makes that connection with the audience that very few musicians are able to make. Ozzy once said that the first time he saw Jimi Hendrix he didn't think it was real. I know exactly what he meant. Watching Steve play is mind blowing and it's next to impossible to look at him as being from this planet. The small electric fan gave him even more of a god-like impression (for those of you who have yet to see the show, just wait to see what I'm talking about). Steve, you have touched the hearts of all of us with your music! Thanks for sharing your talent with us and don't stop!

Last we had the mighty Joe Satriani. Joe, if you're reading this, you were unreal in every sense and THANK YOU for a night that I will remember for the rest of my life! And you have an absolutely wonderful mother!! A few years back I was working in a deli and one of my customers, who worked at a local photo developing shop, found out I played guitar. She asked me if I heard of a guy named Joe Satriani. Of course my reaction was an emphatic "Yes." She shared with me that your mother was a regular customer at the photo shop. I was blown away and as much as I wanted to ask her for more info I just didn't have the guts. Well, a few weeks later a woman walks into the store and asks to see me. When I went to the counter to see who it was she said, "I heard that you are a fan of my son Joseph." To make a long story short I sat down and talked with your mom for a good half hour and she invited me and my girlfriend to go with her to your show which was at Jones Beach on Long Island. It was an incredible night and I had the chance to meet you for the first time. Well, fast forwarding a few years from that show...I found out about two weeks ago that you were coming to town again. I decided that I would suprise my father, who lives in Florida, with a concert ticket and plane ride up to New York. It has been a dream of mine to see a G3 concert with him (we don't get to see eachother often) for as long as I can remember and it finally happened. What made this night even more spectactular was that your mother, again, arranged for a couple of after show passes and my father was just beside himself. I don't think I've ever seen such a huge smile on his face and today, when I dropped him off at the airport he couldn't stop thanking me. So, Joe...and Mrs. Satch...THANK YOU for one of the most memorable nights of my life! Hopefully a photo will make its way on this site!

God Bless and keep making music!

That score is only for the fact that I was watching the three best guitar players around. If I factored in the sound quality at the Beacon it would be minus 10, I left it late to get a ticket, so I was up in the upper balcony. It was the worst sound I have ever heard, all treble, you couldn't hear any notes other than when it was screaming harmonics, I loved all the music played, and know how it should sound, but I have to admit last night, it was a stuggle to listen to the music, bordering on painful. Which was a shame, cause I managed to get 2 friends along that had never seen a show like this, at the end they were amazed, and enjoyed it, which is a testament to the talent that was present on the stage, as certain parts was just inaudible noise, due to the very, read VERY bad sound.

I'll be at the ticket office on the morning of the first day they next go on sale, I have learned my lesson. All in all a very good show, I just wish I could have heard it better.

Long Post, but funny. Please read.

I went to yesterday's show as well. A few observations:

1) I heard of Dream Theater and John Petrucci, but never heard him play a lick till now. He can definately hang with Joe and Steve. His tribute song to his wife was excellent. And his solos during "Little Wing" were nothing short of fantastic. He made many a new fan this weekend.

2) The audience for Friday's show was good, but Saturday's audience was better. Steve felt the love when the applause at the end of his set was almost deafening. Not to mention when the audience sang "happy birthday" to Joe at the end of the concert, the volume clearly made Joe happy. The hometown misses you Joe!

3) Steve is doing as many shirt changes as Cher. Tonight he wore a Blue shirt with intricate silver stuff all over it. Steve wears it, and it looks amazingly cool. Anybody else wears it, they get thier ass kicked. Some things are best left for the GODs.

4) Good job by the guy in the front row who got a chance to tap Steve's whammy bar towards the end of the show. He actually tapped it like Steve would! Congrats man.

5) And speaking of "good jobs"...a great one by the Beacon Theater staff of controlling the crowds and keep people in line. One security guard threw a guy right out on his a** right next to me as I was sitting by the side exit! They took no s**t, but everything was orderly.

6) The acoustics in the Beacon Theater are amazing.

7) As usual, men outnumbered women in the audience about 10-to-1. However, I must admit that the ladies - at least a good many of them - were attractive. But of course, the guys were'nt. Collectively, we may be smarter fans because we listen to Joe and Steve, but MAN are we an ugly bunch...

8)....which leads me to my next point. Almost all of these attractive women were with some guy that looked like my left foot after a 5k marathon. Wassup with that? Take the girl who was sitting next. She was a Demi Moore lookalike and her boyfriend looked like a troll. I think that's why he kept buying her beers all night long, probably so she would'nt sober enough to notice the disparity. I'm not even going to mention the good looking blonde in front of me with a boyfriend who's look SCREAMED "greased-up curly haired, non-shaving, non-bathing, Eurotrash"...

9) Thank you Steve for recognizing me in the crowd. He saw I was cheering like crazy and acknowledged that.

10)Dave Weiner from Steve's band looks like a college freshman. If that's the case, then Man, he's got the best college summer internship ever!

11) Nice catch by the guy who caught the autographed drum cover that Jeff threw into the crowd at the end of the show. Another guy was pulling it, but he held his ground. In the end, the second guy let go, and he's got the best souvenier of the show.

12) BTW...F*** the Village Voice. Joe's presence on the bill ALONE should have had this concert in thier "weekend picks" section; but it was'nt. They would'nt know good music if it bit'em in the a**.

13)What, no Rubina?

14) A Big THANK YOU to Stu for the pick. He threw it right at me (I was in the 3rd row) and I nabbed it right out of midair. When I showed him I caught the pick, he was very impressed. All those years of being a ice-hockey goalie paid off! Can't wait for next season!

15) And finally...as usual, Joe was at his amazing best. But then again, when does he ever have an unspectacular performance?

Hey guys, any ideas who's going to be in the next rendition of G3? I heard Carlos Santana migh be available. And I have'nt heard Eddy Van Halen do anything lately. Why not have your people give thier people a call...