G3 live in Auckland, New Zealand (25 March 2012)

Finally after twenty-five years I got to see two of my guitar heroes live in Auckland. Yes, the G3 rock extravaganza played here last night and I wasn't disappointed. Each of the three headline guitarists played all their hits and then as with all G3 occasions got together for a fiercesome jam. What was particularly exciting was Steve Lukather (Toto, Los Lobotomys) another of my favourite musicians was the invited guitarist with Satriani and Vai. And then as a bonus I saw that Mike Keanally was back on keyboards and guitar playing for Steve Vai for the first time in 13 years. Joining him was the mighty Phillip Bynoe on an aggressive, funky bass.

Promptly at 7:30 Luke and friends kicked off with 'Hero' from his Candyman album. Immediately one noticed the muscular drumming of Eric Valentine and the thunderous bass.(If anything the sound was too lound and the bass too much for the Logan Cambell venue. But that's what audio ear plugs are for.) It was special to see Luke again as I have had the privilege of seeing him play with Toto in Cape Town, Auckland and Melbourne. I love his solo Candyman album so was smiling from ear to ear as his band broke into 'Party in Simon's pants' even if this was a shortened version. With his infectious humour, Luke engaged the crowd and told us an amusing story that he'd been recognised on the plane on his flight from Wellington. He'd been enthusiastically greeted by a woman who thought he was Billy Joel! Lukather then went on to play a Herbie Hancock composition followed by a song dedicated to Jeff Porcaro. This was Lukather's highlight of the evening. Hearing the searing emotion drenched guitar on "Song for Jeff" live was incredible. No other word for it. Moving, brilliant playing as the notes were caressed and bent. 

Then Vai hit the stage with all the panache and experience of years as a top rock guitarist. Brilliant - and without a doubt the strongest set when comparing Vai, Satriani and Lukather. That's saying something as Luke is easily my favourite of the three. Vai started the concert exactly as he does for the G3 Live in Tokyo DVD with his guitar speaking to audience from the side of the stage and then thundering into the funkiest rocking 'The audience is listening'. What an adrenalin rush.

Steve Vai's trendy short hair cut matched his maturer persona and looking back at the DVD 'Live at the Astoria London' the flowing locks look very dated even though less than ten years ago. Steve's playing was impeccable and sound wise came across cleaner. Interestingly early in their set Steve turned to Phillip Bynoe and indicated to adjust his bass amp which was dropped a notch.

'Whispering a prayer' and the amazing jazzy 'Tender surrender' had Steve cajoling the whole gamut of Vai tones accompanied with all the intense facial expressions that he brings. Of course I was waiting for the 'The Attitude song' and the bursting excitement hearing this played live for the first time with an extended solo section in the middle with Mike Keanally and Dave Weiner exchanging leads with Steve. Then ending on the anthemic 'For the love of God'. Phew! What can you say but wait for Joe Satriani to come onto the stage and rip into 'Ice 9' with Jeff Campitelli playing the kit as if this was his first gig with Satch.

I was pleasantly surprised that Joe played at least three songs from 'Surfing with Aliens' including Satch Boogie. Mike Keanally remained on keys to support Satriani and it was Mike on the shaker that told you that the beautiful 'Always with me, always with you' was about to start.

The stage changes were very quick and before you knew it Joe was inviting Steve and Steve to join for the finale. What would be played? And then how cool, as 'Your guitar wants to kill your mama' began sung by both Vai and Keanally. Then came the best of the jam tracks with Luke leading 'Little wing'. Check out this pretty amazing  youtube video of their performance - video and audio quality impressive. (Thanks Hamdanz1 for uploading - I'll treasure this memory!) The final song of the night was 'Rockin' in a free world' where Joe lead the singing and then it was all over and 11pm had come. I sure am grateful that Joe came up with the wonderful concept of G3 all those years ago. Long may it prosper.

If you haven't got your tickets Australia - don't hesitate!

Derek Sherinian's 'Oceana' - quality rock fusion

Firstly thank you Mr Sherinian for being so prolific in your output. You do provide your audience with a wonderful range of different styles to listen and choose from - Planet X, Black Country Communion, solo metallic insanity to this quality rock fusion offering.


Although much of this material may sound derivative - a little like a Jeff Beck album, a little like a rocking Toto instrumental album, or maybe a Los Lobotomys outing, there is not enough of this style of hard fusion rock played by quality players. The compositions are structured and never too long to invite meaningless wandering. Even on first listen I found these catchy and stirring in the style of rock fusion.

After the first three tracks I was already relaxed knowing that more was to come. Firstly just listen to the quality of the recording and hats off to Simon Phillips for once again knowing how to record and mix this intense fusion. How do I describe the overall sound other than Simon Phillips achieves a warm, rich mix without any loss of clarity or punch. And then if that wasn't enough, he is the master fusion rock drummer. Interestingly he plays the same monster 7/8 'Space Boogie' drum pattern that he played for Jeff Beck on the 'There and Back' album on the second track of Oceana, 'Mercury 7'. This is accompanied with impressive/breath-taking MacAlpine guitaring. As this is Simon Phillips recorded some 21 years after his Jeff Beck recording, the drum mix is so much better. (I'm glad I've got the album for this track alone).


The opening 'Five Elements' is a scorcher with a wonderful organ backdrop behind some menacing MacAlpine guitar sizzle. This is probably the best track of the album which bridges to some unusual Sherinian jazzy piano before returning to the menace. Steve Lukather plays on three of the tracks and the quality shines through with wonderful interplay between spacey keyboard sounds and Lukather's guitar tones. 


'Ghost Runner' for all its great playing is too derivative of Beck and Hammer and particularly 'El Camino Diablo' which starts promisingly and then rips off almost note for note the exact riff from 'You know what I mean' on Beck's 'Blow by blow'  album - it's even in the exact key. Maybe I am missing something but this was definitely too close for comfort with the Jeff Beck classic and Jan Hammer tones and runs (although outdoing anything Jan did!) I'd have preferred them to have just played a great Beck cover like they did on 'Inertia'. Nothing wrong with a cover paying tribute.


This is a guitar festival of maestros - Tony MacAlpine, Steve Lukather, Steve Stephens, Joe Bonamassa and Doug Aldrich all backed by the legendary session bassist Jimmy Johnson (primary bassist for Allan Holdsworth, Michael Landau and James Taylor). These guitarists all work to support the overall album rather than trying to win a guitar battle - highly commendable. And the tracks are striving for that something more. Using the second last track as an example, 'Seven Sins' a dramatic building rock outing finally goes into a bridge where Derek plays a magnificent solo that culminates with the rest of the band coming in however it returns to the light melodic head and never seems to regain the intensity. The album ends with 'Oceana' a track that could almost pass for a Joe Satriani ballad other than this has more richness with combined keyboard, bass and guitar lines.


Overall this seemed like the sister album to Derek's earlier solo album 'Inertia'. It is a good 4 star outing because of the quality of musicians,compositions and recording and because of the unselfish supportive nature of Sherinian. This may be a solo keyboard album but he has produced a stellar rock band offering. Yes, you hear the entire gamut of jazzy piano to B-3 Hammond organ and spacey keys but always to intertwine with lead guitars producing rich tones and sonic delight. 


For Sherinian, Lukather, Phillips, Jeff Beck and rock fusion fans - don't hesitate - this one you'll return to for many enjoyable listens. I would pay 'top dollar' to see a tour of these legends! Which means I'd fly to Sydney from New Zealand for this one. What about a tour 'down under' to Australia...? 


PS: Read an excellently written review of this album. See Raffaella Berry's review in the Dutch Progressive Rock Page. This is incisive , punchy writing and my appreciation for this album increased. Wish I could write like this!