I’m a huge fan of the G3 tours that Joe Satriani put together, and I got to see a couple of them. The one with Satch, Petrucci, and Paul Gilbert was one of the best gigs I have ever seen. So when this package was put together I was super stoked – this is a widdly fans wet dream. The guitarists are Tosin Abasi, Nuno Bettencourt, Yngwie, Steve Vai, and Zakk Wylde, and this show was recorded in China.
The album kicks off with all of them together playing a version of Foreplay by Boston. Next up is Tosin playing Tempting Time from the first Animals As Leaders album, and it’s killer and shows how much rock instrumental music as advanced. Tosin is joined by Nuno for another Animals track, the stunning Physical Education. It’s great to hear what Nuno brings to the piece as its totally different to what he usually plays. Nuno plays a piece called a Side Of Mash, which starts with the solo piece from Extreme’s first album, and then highlights from lots of other pieces from Extreme albums. I’m a big Nuno fan, l love his style and groove. He is then joined by Zakk for a track called Sideways. It’s the first track with vocals but it’s the solos that will blow your mind. Zakk is by himself next for a rendition of the Allman’s Whipping Post, and it’s as over the top as you would expect.
Fun fact alert! Zakk actually auditioned for the Allman’s and didn’t get the gig. I guess they didn’t get all the behind the head thing.
Steve Vai is up next with his track, Bad Horsie. It starts with a small clip from the Crossroads movie which is cool, and then it’s Vai just ripping it. Superb piece! Yngwie is next and it’s pure widdle with lots of excerpts from various pieces of his in his own classical style. Yngwie is then joined by Steve Vai for the track, Black Star, and it’s widdle overdrive. Next to last track is a killer version of Edgar Winters’, Frankenstein, where everyone (apart from Yngwie) is playing. Last track is Deep Purple’s Highway Star with everyone on stage for the grand finale.
I do love albums like this, and they don’t come around too often.
9.5/10 from The Grooveman.
