Recorded at The Grand Rex Theatre in Paris, France on May 27, 2008, Live in Paris-I Just Wanna Rock is a just released 2CD and separate DVD covering the entire show as it happened that night. Why Epic didn't release this as all one complete set is a good question, so all you Satriani fans out there will have to shell out the bucks if you want both sets.
Featuring the band of Satriani on guitar pyrotechnics, Stuart Hamm on bass, Galen Henson on rhythm guitar, and Jeff Campitelli on drums, they take you through over 2 hours of classic Satriani material as well as some more recent numbers. The CD is spectacular, as the band is spot on as they run through guitar fueled tunes such as 'Satch Boogie", "Ice 9", "Flying in a Blue Dream", "Super Colossal", "Mystical Potato Head Groove Thing", and many others, each one a showcase for the supreme talents of Joe Satriani. As great as his heavier, more 'shred' type material is, it's the more majestic numbers like "Cryin", "Cool #9", "Revelation", and "Surfing With the Alien" that really separates him from so many other instrumental guitar gods on the scene. However, if you've checked in to see the guy rip, go nuts on the whammy bar, and crank his wah-wah, look no further than barnburners such as "Time Machine", "Andalusia", and the kickin' title track. There's even a nifty little solo bass segment from the master Hamm to enjoy as well.
The DVD however has its problems-first and foremost, the director and editor decided to lather the footage with a heaping amount of psychedelic digital effects and lighting, which makes it hard to watch in spots. This is a real shame, as the sound is spectacular and the camera work & editing is spot on, but the effects and lighting will make it tough on your eyes after a while. Also, much of the time the camera is focused on Joe, which is natural, but if you are looking to get plenty of close ups of Hamm, Campitelli, or Henson, you are going to be disappointed. There is a nice interview with Joe as well as some behind the scenes footage, making for a solid overall DVD if you can get past the overload of effects.
All in all, Live in Paris-I Just Wanna Rock is a great live set from guitar legend Joe Satriani, and you can tell that he had the crowd in the palm of his hand the whole show. A perfect 5 score for the 2CD set, and a full point off on the DVD because of the annoying overuse of effects, but still a solid 4.
Track Listing
01. I Just Wanna Rock
02. Overdriver
03. Satch Boogie
04. Ice 9
05. Diddle-Y-A-Doo-Dat
06. Flying In A Blue Dream
07. Ghosts
08. Revelation
09. Super Colossal
10. One Big Rush
11. Musterion
12. Out of the Sunrise
13. Time Machine
14. Cool # 9
15. Andulasia
16. Bass Solo
17. Cryin'
18. Mystical Potato Head, Groove Thing
19. Always With Me, Always With You
20. Surfing With The Alien
21. Crowd Chant
22. Summer Song
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