The latest installment in the G3 saga, dreamt up by Satriani, and (usually) involving Steve Vai + one other, in this case Yngwie Malmsteen.In other words, perhaps the most extreme incarnation of G3 to date.By the way, a DVD also exists, with a different set list, for those who care.Satch is the consumate professional. His songs are flawlessly played, his band are as tight as spandex, and even the rhythm guitar is nicely audible, which adds to things well. The drummer shows just how good he is on the Potato Head song.Vai injects a nice bit of humour into his playing, and although he's only given 3 numbers on the CD, he strings them out and produces a very enjoyable middle section. And his playing is as good as ever. I also prefer the song choices here to the DVD.Now Yngwie is an acquired taste. Technically he's possibly the most advanced of the three (interviews with Satch and Vai tend to support this, before everyone lynches me!), but he is so fast and so relentless that some people just get turned off. I'm a longstanding fan, and his playing is jawdropping, but I can understand people not being so keen on him, especially when he performs Hendrix numbers "his way". What one has to realise is that Yngwie is a huge Hendrix fan himself, and isn't trying to be-little the great man in any way. His singing could be better, but he tries. I'd have liked some of his more "classic" instrumentals on this CD, but he has such a large back catalogue that something has to be missed. The DVD is more like what one would expect from him, and instrumentals only.The jam at the end is a treat. Yngwie does his best on vocals for Voodoo Chile, and covers every splinter of his guitar.He could probably do with calming down a bit, but that's half the experience, and live it was probably phenomenal. Little Wing is a nice change from the heavy stuff, although I think the version on the DVD is better.Rockin' In the Free World is perhaps the best number, although again Yngwie perhaps should have backed off a bit.Overall, a good CD, if you like your guitars fast and furious.
