G3 - Live In Tokyo: (Satriani, Vai & Petrucci) (2005)

G3 returns in fine form with "G3 Live in Tokyo". The same formula as the last two g3 DVDs is repeated. Joe Satriani teams up with Steve Vai and find a third guitarist worthy of sharing the stage with them. Each member performs his own set and then all 3 jam on stage together. It worked on the previous 2 DVDs and it works again. This time, with the addition of John Petrucci of Dream Theater/LTE, is the best time. Yes, there is only 90 minutes worth of music, but if you want the full G3 experience go see them. The 90 minutes is a great deal for under $15. Now to the show:

John Petrucci plays a couple of songs from his "Suspended Animation" disc. I saw G3 with Petrucci back in 2001 and thought that he should release the music he was playing. Now he has. Both songs showcase Petrucci's ability to combine speed, tone and phrasing in an instrumental form. Both songs have a couple of tone and time changes, and Petrucci shows why he is considered one of the best guitarists in the rock genre. (Or any genre for that matter) Fans of Dream Theater or any of John's other projects won't be dissapointed. John is joined by, DT drummer, Mike Portnoy and Dave Larue of Steve Morse and Dreg's fame. The rhythm section is solid and all over John's music. A very good set.

Steve Vai is next and continues to be the most energetic of the G3 members. Vai opens with "The Audience is Listening" from Passion & Warfare and it is a blistering version. Steve and bassist Billy Sheehan go wild during this song. They trade fours, exchange picking hands, and play some high speed unison lines. These two have been mesmerizing together since the David Lee Roth Band, and have taken their showmanship to new levels. "Building the Church" and "K'm-Pee-Du-Wee" are the other Vai tunes and Steve is his amazing self. Vai has been guilty of composing tunes that I can't identify with, but these are both great compositions and Steve's playing is true virtuosity at its best. Great set from a great showman.

Joe Satriani's set is also very good. He plays great versions of "Up In Flames" and 'Searching' but is guilty of not stretching out as far as he can. Still, both of these songs are excellent and show Satch's unparalled ability to combine catchy melodies with guitar virtuosity. 'War' is a song that Satch stretches out on and improvises a unique ending. Excellent version.

As always, the DVD ends with all 3 guitarists on stage. "Foxey Lady" is the first tune. Mike Portnoy plays drums on this tune. How can you go wrong with these 3 guys jamming to Jimi? The last two songs have Jeff Campitelli on Drums and Billy Sheehan joins Matt Bisonette on bass. The two bassists alternate taking the vocal duties and do a decent job. Both songs feature each guitarist taking a solo spot and then all 3 trading 4s at the end. More G3 madness done right. As always, if you aren't a fan of guitar, you won't be a fan of this. If you are a fan of any of these three, then you should get this. I am a fan of all 3, and find it to be the best of the 3.

I don't know guys. I just read the reviews posted and I'd have to say that I seriously disagree! This DVD is excellent! John Petrucci I do agree is probably the best of the 3 performances and it doesn't hurt having his DT buddy Mike Portnoy playing drums either! Dave LaRue plays some excellent driving bass! I saw G3 do this show a few years ago and I thought it was the best one so far! I saw G3 in it's previous incarnations as well as the last one with Y. Malmasteen. Enjoyed each one. I didn't get bored. I got energized! Lots and lots of raw energy in these shows. I also found the tour with Robert Fripp quite amazing. As far as the DVDs go I think the first release was not quite as strong as the Denver show and the Tokyo show. The Denver show really rocks too! But I think Steve Vai's performance on the Tokyo show was a bit more driving and strong than on the Denver DVD (and even alot of his stuff on the Live at the Astoria DVD). They come on strong on this one. Billy Sheehan is playing his butt off as well as Dave Weiner and Tony MacAlpine! And that drummer is simply amazing and playing so damned hard! To me it is simply amazing to watch. Satch's performance is top notch as well on his set. I also loved the first song he did on the Live at Denver DVD. Just amazing! I don't think any of this is stale (as a previous reviewer said). Far from it! I think it is a rare treat to have shows like this that bring all these artists together and I am thankful that Joe continues on with the G3 tradition.

I have been a tremendous fan of the G3 concerts for years. In fact, you can see me in the front row of the "Live in Denver" DVD. There are few people that are bigger fans of Joe, Steve, John, Yngwie, and Eric than me. Many people share my sentiments when I say that the three song set formula they have been using, leaves this post-concert experience a little empty.

If you are fortunate enough to attend one of the concerts, it usually exceeds 3 hours and allows many more songs. I've never understood why artists are unwilling to deliver what the fans (consumers) want (e.g. Metallica). There is surely a market for a multi-disk compilation featuring the entire show. It would be worth the $100.00 expense.

In regards to the DVD and CD, there isn't much to say. The performances are great, but some of the camera work leaves something to be desired. It is shot in a widescreen format, which I absolutely love, but it lacks the intimacy of the Denver show. The cameras seem very far away for the most part and they have to put the zoom on maximum to get close shots. There are also a couple of shots where they fail to adjust the viewing ratio and all three individuals are compressed, tall and skinny.

The fabulous artists in Steve Vai's band are barely evident as well. I would have been much happier to see some great shots of Dave Weiner and Tony McAlpine, but they were simply pushed to the side.

The Audio is superb. With the exception of some amplifier issues during Joe's solo at the end (he explains it in the commentary section), the 5.1 audio is flawless and a very good mix. The Joe Satriani technical difficulty is much more prominent on the CD version because their digital editor was able to smooth it out somewhat on the DVD. Joe doesn't believe in overdubs so he left it in to stay "honest" to the show.

Unlike the "Rockin' In the Free World" release, the DVD and CD are identical. Same location and set-list. Seems barely justifiable to purchase both. Hardcore fans like me won't have difficulty justifying the expense. Something to be mindful about, however, is the new copy protection software installed on the CD version. This will restrict your ability to play it on your computer without installing proprietary software and nearly impossible to play and rip in iTunes if you have a Mac. If you have the means, I would suggest recording the audio from the DVD to make yourself an audio only copy for in car use.

Ultimately, this concert allows for fans to see and hear songs, to date, they have not heard live. Most classics are absent, with the exception of "The Audience is Listening", and most songs are prominent standouts from the artist's latest releases. I can't really put my finger on it, but somehow I just feel a little short changed. Was it the (cold) venue? The camera work? I'm not really sure, but the experience lacks some luster.

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