Well…
I always loved the original Blackmore solo from the studio/Machine Head version, so I’m probably a bit tainted! However, taking into account the situation, (having been to a “G3 show” before and having seen footage of several others on DVD over the years) here’s my 2-cents on this performance. š š
Overall: I thought the band did a very respectful and solid job at rocking out this “iconic rock-classic!” The singer/bassist (not sure of his name? He must be Joe’s regular bassist, am I correct?) did an excellent job with “truncated-vocal” arrangement (LOL!) Also, Billy Sheehan kicked-ass at the backup-vocals too! š
Joe Satriani: I thought Joe was (as I had expected before I hit “Play”) the most “rock-appropriate” as far as having a feel that best suits such a straight-ahead rock tune. To me, Joe ALWAYS sounds like a guy who is comfortable and happy playing slower melodic rock solos. Here’s another way of putting it: If someone had asked me (after viewing this footage) who (out of these three guys) would I rather see become Deep Purple’s guitarist, I would say definitely Joe! š
Steve Vai: I was very impressed with Vai here, (but then, I usually am impressed with Steve. I’ve always had a special opinion of Steve! To me, he’s always been I guy that I’d call one of my biggest “indirect” influences on me as a musician and guitarist. By this I mean Steve has always awed me with his commitment to excellence, his musical and spiritual intellect, and his passion for the instrument in general. Also, his command over the electric-guitar is quite impressive. ALl that said, I’ve never fancied myself ever really wanting to sound or play anything like Steve, if that makes any sense?!? That’s why I call Steve Vai my biggest indirect influence! Steve sounds like, well…Steve Vai here, meaning that his style comes through loud and clear, and IMO, as much as I loved Joe’s performance and commitment to “rock-appropriateness!,” I thought Steve played the most “unique-stuff” out of the three guitarists. š
John Petrucci: JP is another guy who I’d call an indirect influence. (He and I – being almost the same age BTW! – both have a common love of the Canadian Prog-Rock band Rush!) John Petrucci has usually impressed me with his playing, but this is probably the first time I’ve ever heard him in an “off-the-cuff” rock-improv. environment, and I must say, I was far from impressed?!? It’s tough for me to pinpoint what I didn’t like about JP’s playing here, but I can say that it had nothing to do with his chops! I guess a few of the things that bothered me the most here were: His lack of “groove.” Interestingly, he grooved the basic finger-plucked main-riff nicely in the intro. That being said, I though that when he solo’d, his groove disappeared?!? Does anyone agree with me on this? I dunno, it just seemd that Joe (and even Steve, for the most part) grooved their jams much more! Also, what’s up with JP’s affinity for those tremolo-picked licks?!? After a while, that just sounded “amateurish” to me. Sorry if I’ve offended any of you diehard Petrucci-fans out there (and I know there are plenty of you here at Infinite Guitar!) I guess that neck-pickup-tone wore me down after a while too. I like when guys use that more as effect instead of as a default lead-tone. the neck-PUP thing is NOT a deal-breaker for me though. I guess it’s just that since I’ve always held such a high opinion of John Petrucci musically, that I must’ve been expecting more. š
PS: I love the Ernie Ball Petrucci-model guitar!!! I would get that guitar “in-a-heartbeat!” (I’ve played one at the store where I teach, and it’s an awesome axe!) š
BTW, thanks for sharing that Youtube link man! That was a lot of fun! š
~Bill Meehan~ š
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