JOHN PETRUCCI, STEVE VAI, JOE SATRIANI- G3 LIVE IN TOKYO

The G3 is a concept well known by guitar players all around the world. It's one chance to see three of the greatest players of history on the same stage. It's an educational chance. It's an impressive journey. It worth for those who are guitarist or a musician and it's certainly a challenge to the mind. In this particular production, the guitar gods JOE SATRIANI and STEVE VAI are joined by another god, JOHN PETRUCCI.

The album is really what you can expect from those players: complex arrangements, different styles and techniques, and guitar solos, a lot of them, all impressive and makes you wonder if we (them) already reach the top of chances to play the guitar. I think Petrucci's addition, after other guest players in earlier versions (such as Malmsteen and Johnson) is a more technical, less busy but gives a balance that you don't find in the other G3 albums. The two songs of John Petrucci are evidently different, more oriented to the structure and the composition and less interested in flashy solos. DT fans will love it, but I expect that all the haters can see what his style is all about and how great his proposal is. He really brings something different to the table and I enjoy more the composition and the development of a track better than the solos, I'm really pleased.

The other sets, both Vai and Satriani are flawless and top of their form, but I feel it's really the usual for them. Vai really is a showman and definitely knows his business well. The version of Building the Church is impressive and being aside of McAlpine and Sheehan is just too much for the same stage. Now, when the three of them are in the stage, there's when you can see the differences of the players. The jam is really the heaven for shredders, while I'm not that into crazy and unstoppable solos, I really enjoyed this section of the show. You can hear that perfect distortion and strong sound of Petrucci and his impressive speediness, while Vai does his usual "I-can-do-everything-with-the-guitar-and-always- have-fun", just a bit more interesting than Satriani's usual bluesy stuff.

This is a must have for any guitar player or musician aficionado. Maybe the best G3 production to date. A strong 4 star album. A real worth for your money. You, as a prog lover or rock lover, should give it a try. Great album.