Joe Satriani - Birmingham Symphony Hall, 23/10/10

It was only last year that the guitar legend Joe Satriani was here with Chickenfoot, but with a sold out packed Symphony Hall it’s obvious that one of the greatest guitarists in the business still retains massive popular support for his solo work. Promoting his latest album “Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards”, the guitarists teacher’s teacher takes to the stage in Birmingham’s impressive venue in what will be a concert running at around two and half hours, leaving the audience shellshocked, in awe, and still wanting more.

It’s true to say there’s only so much frenetic guitar work that people can usually take at these sorts of events, but this is where Satriani has always distinguished himself. The variance in pace, the passion, the variety, has always enthralled his audiences and fans, older and younger, as opposed to say the technical force majeure of one time former student Steve Vai, who although brilliant, for me, doesn’t quite hold my attention for as long.

Satriani’s influence on the modern guitarist is massive, and thirteen albums already before Black Swans, there’s an extensive back catalogue to choose from, and true to form, Satch is so into his music it seems he wants to take us through all of them! Opening with Ice 9, followed by Hordes of Locusts, Satch has an explosive start and the tone is set for what is to be a great night. Joe is joined once again by veteran bandmate Jeff Campitelli on drums, keyboardist Mike Keneally (Frank Zappa, Steve Vai) and bassist Allen Whitman (Mermen), who delivered a very tight sound for Satch to weave his magic. He was a little more interactive with the audience this night too, then say his Manchester outing, chatting happily, explaining the background to some of the songs and what they mean to him, and behind him a visual feast of changing landscapes and images on some massive screens. His smile and love for what he’s doing is contagious.

Littleworth Lane is one of my personal favourites, a revisit to some blues roots, and serving as a nice counterpart to some of the more energetic songs in the set list. Crowd pleasers such as Satch Boogie, Mystical Potato Head Groove Thing, are again balanced with tracks such as Always With Me, Always With You. The sound quality was glorious, apt for the guitar virtuoso’s performance, with every hammer, tap, bend, vibrato and legato ringing out clearly.

Personally I’m not a fan of seated venues of the Symphony Halls size for rock concerts, but despite the seating arrangements in the venue, “Crowd Chant” has the audience up on it’s feet. It’s been a great night, and Satch has delivered one hell of a show, with the audience leaving the hall at the end, flying in a blue dream.