show review
snafu2480 Fri Mar 18 '05
265
The Forum, Melbourne,
Rank: 9 Posted: Mon Mar 28, '05 10:18 pm
it really rocked!!!!

camk Fri Mar 18 '05
265
The Forum, Melbourne,
Rank: 9 Posted: Fri Mar 25, '05 7:12 pm
Brilliant ... it took me 3 songs to get over the initial shock of "this is Joe Satriani" (been a fan for 15 years or so..)! We were about 4-5 people deep just to the left of centre, and had a great view for most of the night. We were behind the front-of-house speakers so got sound straight off the stage, all I could hear clearly was Joe and Jeff. The bass was muddy and could only hear rythm guitarist guy (who seemed to struggle to keep up with Joe just doing his thing) on some songs - mainly "Strange". I was not too bothered by it, I came to hear Joe and I copped an ear full!! Jeff was also outstanding, following Joe off on some bizarre tangents. The concert was everything I expected and more. I think I speak for all Joe's Aussie fans when I say: please don't wait another 9 years to come back...!

dverbern Fri Mar 18 '05
265
The Forum, Melbourne,
Rank: 7 Posted: Tue Mar 22, '05 1:15 am

Joe played great of course, but this is a given. He has attested to his ability (and consistent practice regimen) countless times.

My only real gripe is the that the sound levels were far too high for my personal preference.

Regardless of this gripe, the venue was great, people were really into it, and it was great to see/hear Joe play "War" and "Hordes of Locusts". Additionally, would have preferred some more softer (or acoustic!) pieces though, Joe is much more varied than his setlist lets on.

I ended my stay by saying to Joe's manager who was near the vending booth after the concert "Thanks for bringing him back!".

scotriani Fri Mar 18 '05
265
The Forum, Melbourne,
Rank: 10 Posted: Mon Mar 21, '05 2:11 pm
Hi Joe, Scotriani here. It was truly a wonderful experience to finally see you live. I was 15 and lived in Townsville, North Queensland (3000 kms from Melbourne) when I first heard Surfing with the Alien and to see you live was surreal. I just wish I got a backstage pass. I even got into a music school in Melbourne by playing some of your tunes. Thanks for all your music and inspiration. Do come again sometime, I'll buy tickets in a second. Cheers...........

dream3 Fri Mar 18 '05
265
The Forum, Melbourne,
Rank: 10 Posted: Sun Mar 20, '05 11:38 pm
just returned home from the best concert i have attended in my life, joe you and the band are not only the best musicians, but also know how to make people feel like there actually worth something and i hope that us as a crowd gave as much to you as you gave to us. a big special THANKS for the whole experience for taking the time at the end of the concert for signing my "surfin with the alien" album. words cant describe the whole show it was just POWERFUL and blew me away. thanks joe and band, will be back tonight for 2nd concert i gotta pick up me chicken mate.HA HA HA.....S.E.N.S.A.T.I.O.N.A.L..........

luckyjul Fri Mar 18 '05
265
The Forum, Melbourne,
Rank: 10 Posted: Sun Mar 20, '05 10:28 pm
Dear Joe Thanks so much for returning to Melbourne. It was well worth the seven hours of lining up outside! Three hours of your music live was the best, And we all got our pic on the website as well. Cool! The venue was 100 percent better than The Palace. (Take note Mr. Vai!) As one of the first inside we were able to get front and centre, my partner and I had an amazing time. It was great to see at least three other females along with me right up the front, Of course there will be songs we wish were played but weren't, but I loved Hands in the air, Always with me Always with you, Sleepwalk, Flying in a blue dream, Starry Starry night, Lords of Karma, and War was amazing. You rocked Joe, I just hope you come back before another nine years passes by So what if we had ringing ears for the next two days, you were worth it! It was also great that there was an instore at Allens the following day, I was able to meet you, shake your hand, get an autographed copy of The Set List as well as get The Anthology signed. I mean how hard is it when they tell you, one item for signing, which album can you possibly pick out from the rest! Again Joe, you were gracious and I was estatic to meet you. Please come again soon, we all wait for the announcement, Australia is happy to have a G3 concert straight after the Asian shows....PLEASE!

flyingbluedonnie Fri Mar 18 '05
265
The Forum, Melbourne,
Rank: 10 Posted: Sun Mar 20, '05 10:19 pm

Joe, I would just like to say to you and you're crew, thank you so very much for the best day of my life. I know that is a cliche' used so very often, but I can't help but say it. One thing I walked away believing was you all are not just great musicians, but great people. Being one of the lucky few who got an Aftershow Pass, I took one of my guitars for you to sign. (If you can remember Joe, it was the Donnie Hunt JS model ) When Mick you're manager came out to take a few pictures for the web site, I asked if I could keep the guitar inside the venue til after the show. Not only did he keep it in a safe place, but he took me inside and right to the side of the stage to watch you during the sound check. He said "Stay here til they finish". So I got to watch you play through Friends, then Starry Night, before you finished for an interview. I know I thanked him a hundred times during the Aftershow, but just that was an experience. While I was watching you from the side, it kind of felt like I was not meant to be there. But to have Mick say "Stay as long as you like", was so very kind of him. Everyone back in the line gave me evil looks when I came out speechless mumbling "Joe... Sound check.... Friends..... Starry..... Joe". Now, for the show. Just being there was great. I was right at the front of the stage in the centre. Eveyone around was just waiting for the lights to turn down. The first part of the show before the short break was just so high energy. All the songs just seemed to flow from each other. The second part was more experimentive, with extended jams and intro's. One song that stood out for me was "Morroccan Sunset", just beautiful. The sound was good as expected. Maybe some keys would have added to the feel, but over all it felt more like you were trying to get the rock feel of the songs across. But having you solo a foot away from me almost every song felt like you were sharing something with just me. And yes, I'm sorry, but I was one of the people that had to touch you're foot.

Meeting you after the show though, just made the whole night seem so special. You went around and stood with each of us and answered any stupid little question that randomly popped into our heads. And to have you ask questions about my guitarwhile holding it, and to show interest in everyone that was there really shows that you care about you're fans and want to make it something special. It was also great chatting with Gale Henson too. He is really down to earth. He spoke to my friend and I for about ten minutes towards the end.

Well, I'm sorry for such a long post. But it all was just so amazing, and insiring. I thank you again Joe, Matt, Jeff, Gale and Mick. And please, come back soon. Bring the family too.

Thank you

Raven

skunk1 Fri Mar 18 '05
265
The Forum, Melbourne,
Rank: Posted: Sun Mar 20, '05 9:48 pm
Joe, You are an amazingly talented bloke. The concert ran for around 3 hours and was totally mindnumbing. Good stuff. I will be there again when you return. I saw Vai last year and now you this year, can we expect a G3 at any time? I will be there with bells on if that could happen. Thanx

exigence Fri Mar 18 '05
265
The Forum, Melbourne,
Rank: 9 Posted: Sat Mar 19, '05 2:16 am

With what looked to be a capacity crowd of what must have been close to 1,200 fans, it was a three hour shred-fest that did not disappoint.

A very diverse crowd - proving that (good) music has no prejudice of age, race, color or creed; religious faith or sexual persuation.

Joe Satriani has the energy and stage presence unlike any other performer I have ever seen. He was - in a word - awesome! The versatility and dexterity of this guy is truly something to behold.

The supporting musicians I have to say were not particularly great: Jeff C didn't display any of his usual versatility beyond the click track he was listening to through the cans he was wearing throughout the performance; Matt B was less than energitic and certainly not inspiring; and the rhythm guitarist (not sure who he was) - well - he was there, but contributed little to the performance, having what appeared to be level problems initially and then looking as though he was truly lost through the balance of the performance.

The audio mix was unbalanced for the first couple tracks, but improved as the performance went on.

Joe certanily made up for all of this though - playing a mixture of old and new tracks in conventional and not-so conventional form. Several tracks (some even not his own) were blended into the performance - very, very cool. Bamboo - a track off the new album is just supreme and Psycho Monkey was a treat.

Amazing sounds, styles and frettiquette. A profound auditory experience. An eargasm you want to have over and over again!

Thanks Joe.