As I’m sure you’ll already know, G3 is a world-class joint effort from three absolute icons of guitar-based rock; Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson and Steve Vai. The trio first joined forces in 1996 and this is their first “G3” release in 20 years! The album itself uniquely features a full-album length set from each guitarist, plus a collaborative supergroup LP, capturing the magic of the trio on their sold-out 2024 US tour, recorded at The Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Fans will enjoy full sets from each guitarist, including hits like Satriani’s “Sahara,” Johnson’s “Land of 1000 Dances,” and Vai’s “For the Love of God,” along with a thrilling encore jam of Hendrix, Clapton and Steppenwolf covers. The first single off this marathon is the Cream classic, Crossroads, and you can see the video below!
Since its inception in 1996, the G3 tour has consistently brought together guitar legends for unforgettable performances. Each edition of the tour has featured guitar virtuosos performing solo sets that showcased their individual mastery, followed by electrifying jam sessions that highlighted their collaborative brilliance. Over the years, iconic guitarists like Yngwie Malmsteen, John Petrucci, and Paul Gilbert, among others, joining the ranks. Expanding beyond the U.S., the tour has evolved into a global celebration of guitar excellence, uniting fans and artists from different generations and genres, making it a must-see event for guitar afficionados worldwide. The G3 experience has essentially become a platform for creative collaboration and a testament to the enduring power of guitar music. Interestingly, this year’s reunion with Eric and Steve is special in that these two were the first two guitarists Joe called when planning G3’s maiden voyage, so this tour was a confirmation of their special connection.
I believe it will be available as a 2CD digipak with a 16-page photo booklet; a 4LP gatefold vinyl version; and a digital download, but the deluxe edition goes the whole hog – it features a different coloured vinyl LP for each artist, a special splatter LP for the encore jam, and a 64-page photo book, divided into artist and jam chapters…so that ain’t gonna be cheap!
Joe has travelled the world for over three decades, playing to sold-out crowds as both a headliner and as founder of G3. He also launched his annual “G4 Experience” in 2014 bringing aspiring guitarists together for four days of workshops, mentor sessions and live performances, providing an exclusive learning platform led by him and his accomplished peers. Amongst other side projects, Joe was responsible for pulling together the “supergroup” Chickenfoot, featuring former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar, former bassist Michael Anthony and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith, making two albums that were just huge. I’ve lost count of how many studio and live albums he’s been involved in!
Among Eric Johnson’s many accolades are Grammy awards and nominations; inclusion in the “100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century” list by Musician. Eric released two new albums in 2022, The Book of Making and Yesterday Meets Today via his new partnership with Blue Élan Records. Last year, he led on the Experience Hendrix tour, proving to be an astounding success.
Steve Vai is well-known to us all. A virtuoso guitarist, composer, and producer, considered by many as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, apart from everything else in in his 40 year career Steve has recorded with legends like Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake and many more; and participated extensively in G3 projects including John Petrucci, Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Lukather – not to mention supergroup Generation Axe, alongside Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt and Tosin Abasi. A quirky little side project of his has been last year’s BEAT tour playing the music of 80s King Crimson.
All in all, these guys have paid their dues and have the immense respect from the whole of the guitar-based rock industry!
So to the music: The trio have recorded so much high quality music over the years, a live selection of the three was always going to be special, and reviewing it is awkward to put it mildly! I’ll content myself with offering my choice of strongest tracks but first the full listing is as follows:
Steve Vai is up first, offering us Gravitas; Avalancha; Little Pretty Intro; Little Pretty; Tender Surrender; Zeus in Chains; Teeth of the Hydra; and For the Love of God. Next comes Eric Johnson who gives us Land of 1000 Dances; Righteous; Trail of Tears; On-Ramp Improv; Freeway Jam; Desert Rose; and Venus Reprise. And perhaps inevitably last is Joe, who serves up Raspberry Jam Delta-V; Surfing with the Alien; Satch Boogie; Sahara; Nineteen Eighty; Big Bad Moon; Always with Me, Always with You, and Summer Song.
Now for the really special, full-on bit: After a round of introductions and banter, the trio come together to give us Crossroads, Spanish Castle Magic, and Born to Be Wild – all with added encore jamming – what a night!
It felt pointless to try to describe individual tracks within what is a veritable festival of fretwork for you, so I’m just going to highlight one or four personal favourites for you. Steve Vai’s Tender Surrender is a luscious bluesy number, soaked in moody atmosphere. Eric Johnson’s Desert Rose is an impressive “full band production”, just a great composition; and then the maestro Joe’s Sahara – again just superb at conjuring an atmosphere, not dissimilar to the mighty Zep’s Kashmir in that sense. The whole thing is rounded beautifully by the collective numbers, none more so than Crossroads…..watch the video below, what more need I say.
A truly special gathering of guitar gurus!
