Joe Satriani - Live in San Francisco

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Music reviews of Live in San Francisco

Music Review: Joe may be wanting more from his music.
Rating: 4 Stars

Yet, Joe is still driving the band almost single-handedly. Yes, Stuart Hamm is not just "the bass player," but a creative musician who often uses harmonics, chords, and slap bass techniques. Joe gives him some room, but should give him more (besides an unaccompanied solo). Eric Caudieux supplies "rhythm guitar and keyboards," but is strictly in the background. He isn't even mixed loud enough to have much of a pressence on many songs. However, he does play some unision lead with Joe on one piece, which is not, strictly speaking, "rhythm guitar." Jeff Campitelli is a solid heavy metal drummer, but could be given more creative space as well. Remember: Ginger Baker was given much freedom with Cream in the day--and performed admirably. Of course, his apprenticeship was in jazz...to which he has returned in the past few years. Don't remember John Bonham, who is sadly, the template for this genre typically. One finds little finesse or creativity there.

Since I'm essentially a jazz fan, I long for improvisation and group interaction. Joe seldom engages in this, but I think he could break some new ground if he stretched and pushed himself by assembling a band of fully contributing musicians--not side men. Interestingly, when Joe is noodling between songs, he plays blues riffs. Since he has a strong sense of melody and a rootage in the blues (remember how he played "Red House" on "G-3 Live"--far better than Steve Vai), he could use a blues or blues/jazz form to test his possibilities. He has touched on these areas a bit with his 1995 album, "Joe Satriani," which had a off-beat piece called "Killer BeBop." He also relied less on special effects, which was refreshing.

I enjoy this music with respect to its energy, melody, and technique--although there is far less depth and sensitivity to fathom than in the best of jazz (John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Charles Mingus). But maybe there are greater, richer things to come forth from Mr. Satriani, who is, after all, made in the image and likeness of a very creative God (as are we all). But maybe Joe won't explore. Maybe the very musical form of rock--with all its artistic limitations--has a hold on Joe that will not let him go (just like that "Big Bad Moon" he sings about).

--Douglas Groothuis

Description of Live in San Francisco

Hard Rock & Metal CDs

• Music > Styles
• Pop
• Rock