show review
atomicpunkfan Wed Apr 05 '06
9
House Of Blues, Chicago,
Rank: 9 Posted: Tue May 02, '06 7:36 pm

Eric Johnson is a great player. He just doesn't have the energy Joe exhibits during a show. If you're not an Eric Johnson fan, you might be a little bored. He does do some old familiar stuff and SRV which were great. Lots of songs where he sings.

Joe comes out and blows you away, as always. Never a disappointment. The band is great, very tight. The addition of Dave on bass is great. He moves around the stage and really gets into the show. The sound wasn't bad, it's always the same at every HOB. Good choice of songs. I would have preferred more up tempo tunes. Seemed like there were many slow songs. Nevertheless, a fun time. Noone would be disappointed. Joe always delivers and makes you feel like he is playing to you! Great show.

JOHN IVERSON! Where are our pictures dude... It is April 17th and no pics yet? Come on! Gotta have our JOE! HELP!!!

JOHN IVERSON! It is April 23rd and still no pictures? HELP!!!

May 1st... PIctures arrived via email. Worth the wait! Keep making music JOE!

hickoryjsx Wed Apr 05 '06
9
House Of Blues, Chicago,
Rank: 10 Posted: Fri Apr 07, '06 7:58 pm
With out a doubt, and as usual..Joe was amazing. From Flying in a Blue Dream to Summer Song. Shredding, technique and feeling at it's best, and making it look easier than it really is. Kudos to the crowd for showing their enthusiasm and making the show what it should be..for the crowd. Joe's playing of Crowd Chant got us all going into Summer Song and begging for more. I could have stayed all nite and just watched with aniticipation of every note the band was gonna bellow out. Jeff, Galen, and Dave kicked. The bass drum was moving my stool and I loved ever beat of it. It's a shame it didn't vibrate me closer to the stage, as I was on crutches and was sitting right at the bar. HOB took care of me and I thank them all for going out of their way to get me to a seat and taking care of anything I might have needed. although Joe didn't play my favorite song "Hordes of Locusts" (it's a guitar trick bag, pinch harmonic, the heck with the intonaiton, I need another pick but still play the climbing lick at warp speed kind of thing for me), I jammed out to the new CD all the way home to Portage,Indiana saying "Yeah I saw that!!" But all good things must come to an end..so I'm looking at the tour dates and thinking of taking a road trip. Joe do me a favor? Work on the frisbee toss and get me a pick on the next show I'm attending. Don't worry about me not getting it..I'm pretty darn good with these crutches. Thanks for the amazing show. As a guitarist it was the best lesson I've ever had, missed ya at the guitar workshop..had to work, maybe next time. Keep up the Great work guys..and God Bless and have a safe rest of the tour. Hickoryjsx

jjmoylan Wed Apr 05 '06
9
House Of Blues, Chicago,
Rank: 8 Posted: Thu Apr 06, '06 7:40 pm

Above and beyond again Joe, Eric & crew. Thank you for another outstanding show. HOB is a small venue and I have to agree others I don't think Security had thier act together, but it didn't take away from the great music from Eric & Joe and thats why I gave the show an 8 (the music was definetly 10+).

I'm still kind of horse from the "Crowd Chant" and was amazed how everyone there really got into it. We even knew all the words. Kudos on another great CD also "Super Colossal" is Super Colossal.

Dave really stepped up to bat on "Cool #9" just awesome. Joe & Matt made the right decision to bring Dave on for this tour, it's a seamless fit. I think Joe's #1 mmm... may have handed Joe the wrong guitar for Cool #9 ...I think the sound might have been even just a little better with the red Ibanez.

I came in from Baltimore for the show & to take my nephew and his friends who are huge JS fans, they just stood there with their jaws dropped to the floor in awe, they couldn't believe what they were hearing. It's a great feeling to turn the younger generation on to some great music and talent. Thanks again to Eric, Joe, Jeff, Dave, Galen & all the crew that work so hard to make this a great tour.

Can't wait till they get to Baltimore, I was really tempted to stay one night longer for the second show in Chicago. If the tour's coming anywhere close to you and your thinking of going...stop thinking this shows a "No Brainer" you've got to experience it. (Joe's not getting any younger you know...me either!!)

C-Ya at the show!

nigeltufnel Wed Apr 05 '06
9
House Of Blues, Chicago,
Rank: 10 Posted: Thu Apr 06, '06 1:43 pm
10 is an understatement for the performance I saw. Eric Johnsons set was great, but it lacked some energy in my opinion. I thought Johnson brought himself back with an amazing rendition of Cliffs of Dover to cap off his set, and he wasn't lying when he said we were in for a great show tonight. Satch came out and played Flying in a Blue Dream to start the night, and almost immediately I was amazed and entranced by his playing. Though it seemed impossible, the words he mouthed to Jeff Campitelli and the end of the song resonated for even longer that the harmonic/feedback note that caused Joe to say it. "That's what I'm talkin' about" he said, and for the rest of the night, thats how I felt too. The rest of the set he played was amazing, playing almost everyone of my favorites, as long as some excellent new songs from Super Colossal. He did slow down and played Always with Me, Always with You, and arguably it was the best song of the night. He came back almost immediately for an encore, playing Crowd Chant ( you could say we played it together actually), and ending the night with, if my memory serves me right, Summer Song. Each song was delivered flawlessly, and amazing energy made each song that much better. Energy from Joe(he never stopped smiling), Jeff(hes just an amazing drummer and lived up to that, drummers really can't move around a lot), Dave(his perfomance was probably the best bass playing I have ever seen - consistent and he plays it with such feeling and ease), and even Galen(though he doesn't show as much as the other guys, remember he is playing rhythm behind the master himself, and did also play some harmonies during songs, playing each rhythm or each riff seamlessly). I came expecting to see a great show, but what I got was an amazing show. Without a doubt, the best performance I have ever seen. And Joe final got a pick up to the second level. It was apparent everyone had a most excellent time.

akintovic112 Wed Apr 05 '06
9
House Of Blues, Chicago,
Rank: 10 Posted: Thu Apr 06, '06 1:38 pm

So last night i got the opportunity to see Satriani and Johnson live...and let me tell you...freaking amazing!

Johnson's set was going fairly well. He was doing a few too many singing songs, but i was expecting that. Then he does this solo song for like 15, and out of nowhere I hear this note that sounded oodly familiar. And then another. So i turned to the guy next to me and said, "$10 this is gonna turn into Cliffs of Dover". And after about 5 minutes more of him noodling he played the most perfect version of that song I have ever heard. It was EPIC.

Satriani's set was even more stunning than Johnson's. Since that was the "Super Colosal Tour" he played virtually all of his new material, but he still succeeded in throwing in a few jems. I have never seen this man so "on". It was unbelievable. Im usually a skeptic and full of criticism, but there was very little to not love about this concert. From Flying in a Blue Dream to Summer's Song...near perfect. The only major critique i have is that he botched The Mystical Potatoe Head Groove Thing's intro...he was a wee out of time.

Being a bass player, the real highlight of the show was Cool #9. Dave LaRue proved that he is one of the leading bass players with his performance. I have always thought that Steve Morse sounded infinitly better because Dave plays with him, and now I have proof. Joe has never sounded so good. This is coming from someone who practically worships Stu Hamm, and yet, I am going to have to say that Dave is a near perfect compliment to anyone that plays lead guitar. Now I just need to find a recording of the show...

tfr Wed Apr 05 '06
9
House Of Blues, Chicago,
Rank: 10 Posted: Thu Apr 06, '06 8:10 am
As would be expected Joe put on a great show. Looking forward to the day that Joe robots hit the market. There's a robot dream. Loved hearing Circles live. Amazing to hear how smokin' studio tracks can be delivered live with even more energy. Bret(sp?) at the HOB was great at straightening out confusion over allowing cameras into the show. Thanks Bret! I'll post a pic or two later. The only downer was the HOB security. Standing room only but only in certain areas? At one point I was told to move because people behind me paid money but couldn't see. What? Seemed everytime I stood still another security guard was telling me I couldn't stand there and I couldn't take pictures. Oh well, the show was awesome anyway.

What's with a big digital clock being on stage?

keniko Wed Apr 05 '06
9
House Of Blues, Chicago,
Rank: 10 Posted: Thu Apr 06, '06 6:30 am
Joe and Co. were awesome. It was really GREAT to see Joe again and he was on fire like usual. Joe is the master, an amazing musician and man. Joe was having so much fun. You couldn't wipe the grin and smiles from this mans face with anything. God Bless You. Dave LaRue is such a great addition to band and a perfect choice to take Matt's place. I can only hope Dave stays on for G3 and more tours. Galen is also the perfect rhythm guitarist to Joe. Then there's Jeff. Jeff is by far one of the best Rock drummers out there ....PERIOD. Joe and Jeff play off each other so well and it's amazing to watch. Jeff went nuts during SWTA just unbelievable drumming. Jeff knows what and when to play and always fills the holes perfectly. It was perfection all the way and what's really great about all this is the band does this every night in every city they go through. Truly one of the best shows I've seen. Thanks Joe and Co. You guys Rocked the house.......once again.