Search - Joe Satriani :: Professor Satchafunkilus & Musterion of Rock

Push Harder Joe!

Peter J. Swingle | Phoenix, AZ USA | 04/03/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Let me start off by saying I've been a fan of Joe's music since Surfing with the Alien, and he turned me onto the whole burgeoning genre of instrumental rock, my exploration of which continues to this day through Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Liquid Tension Experiment, Bozzio,Levin,Stevens, Greg Howe, and too many others to mention. I have all of his discs, and I always look forward to his new releases with great anticipation. I have seen him live on three different occasions. So my review is a comparison of this release to his other works as well as to those other artists I mentioned.



This release starts off with the great melodies we all love Joe for, and the monotonous rhythm tracks we always pray will magically disappear. It's a mixed blessing. One of my favorite Joe CDs is his self-titled effort, with a group of hard-core musicians who helped push him along through the tracks and provide counterweight to his huge sound. I much prefer seeing him live because the rhythm section gets to live it up a little and provide some meaty fills.



Track one pushes little new ground to me, and I was just settling in to be disappointed when the Spanish-style guitar intro of Andalusia came sparkling through my headphones. I stopped what I was doing just to listen to him through this new 'voice'. No distortion, wah-pedal, or whammy bar. It's really great. Of course that's just the intro, and it segues nicely into an electric section which continues on the same theme. Overdriver has more of a heavy feel to it, using sheets of sound interlaced with delicate fret explorations to good effect.



Then we get to I Just Wanna Rock. Ok, let me say this: I put up with Crowd Chant on Super Colossal, realizing it's potential for the tour set, even though it's really lame to have blasting out your car stereo as you roll down the street. As a rule I skipped this one. Now we have another track whose sole purpose is to toss into live shows to keep us entertained with crowd feedback vocals. As soon as I got to the chorus, I hit skip, onto the next track. I hope I never have to listen to that one all the way through. It seems really sophomoric for this point in an artists illustrious career to have these on every release. Joe, we love you for the musical journey you take us on. We could care less if we get to sing back to you. Or if you sing. Ok, I'm done ranting about that.

Professor Satchafunklius is ok, has a nice groove, but doesn't really make you want to leave your seat and shake it like FUNK does. Revelation is nice, but doesn't push too many boundaries as far as sound or pyrotechnnics. It doesn't challenge the listener. Yes, that's what I'm looking for, a challenge, something unusual in tempo or sound. I know Joe can compose songs like this until the cows come home, but after a while they start to blend together until you find you're not paying attention.



Come On Baby is Joe's love song for this release. I always appreciate these soulful downtempo numbers, not only in and of themselves, because they show that he has an ability to wring emotion of a few select notes as well as rip off four bars of 128th notes. I like the layering of guitars in this one, and the fact that there's a good deal of space in the mix.



Out of the Sunrise goes back to uptempo, with some piano in the intro. This would be a great driving song, a la Summer Song. It has an interesting, quasi-Reggae break a little past the halfway mark where he stretches out a little.



Diddle-Y-A-Doo Dates rolls along nicely. It has a touch of organ to it and an almost-funky bassline. Would be better if the bass was more gritty and further forward in the mix. I wonder who is in charge of the mix these days, speaking of that. Just a thought. And throw the organist a bone and let him have a break too, Joe!



Asik Vaysel is different. This is more what I'm talking about as far a variety and letting the rhythm section out of the box. Easily the best track here energy-wise. I'm smiling.



Overall I give this release three stars, not because it's overtly bad, but because it does not meet my expectations. I would love to see what Joe would do if locked up in the studio for a month with Dennis Chambers and Tony Levin, or Terry Bozzio and Victor Wooten, or Mike Portnoy and Billy Sheehan or Mike Mangini and Gary Willis..."

Yet Another Work Of Art From The Master

Joel Israel | Cedar City, UT United States | 04/11/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Joe Satriani has been a hero of mine since I heard "Surfing With The Alien" and was simply blown away....I had no idea you could play like that. Joe was pretty much my hero growing up and learning to play guitar, much like Hendrix was his inspiration. I have subsequently picked up everything the man has released, and have never been disappointed.



This album displays all of the elements of his unique style, including his virtuoso soloing and complexity ("Musterion" and "Overdriver"), melodic ballads ("Come On Baby" and "Out Of The Sunrise"), and his trademark soaring melodicism ("Revelation"). Although Joe might never go as "over-the-top" as he used to in the eighties, he remains a superbly talented musician and incredible player who singehandedly popularized instrumental rock music and inspired millions of players (inlcuding myself). After all these years, the man still tears it up and creates amazing and beautiful music that doesn't sound like anyone else. Recommended!"

Six Great Songs and One Awesome Question: What Is Your Purpo

Moonlight Blue | Apopka, FL United States | 05/30/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Going through others reviews I can see the mixed feelings. I, too, am a devoted fan of the man who redefined instrumental rock forever. I found 6 excellent tracks in this new album, although none matches the greatest of his past songs. But for these 6 songs (the first 4 and the last 2) it is well worth listening to Satchafunkilus every day.



Music is all a matter of feeling really. If a song speaks to your guts, then you can't explain it, it just rocks your world and you love it. Too many reviewers are trying to rationalize why this CD is good but not great for their taste. Stop your erudition guys. If Joe wants to make the guitar the dominant instrument, then so be it. With all due respect, this is why we became a fan in the first place. The same is true if Joe wants to ask his musician to strictly adhere to his composition. I think Joe is a MASTER COMPOSER and you have to respect his musical choice. He earned that much. When Mozart composed a symphony he did not ask his musicians to add their own part to it, and no critique would ever criticize Mozart for being insistent that his musicians respect his music. And yes, I dare to compare Joe to Mozart, regardless of the difference of style and music culture, they both are true to their musical inspiration and have earned our respect.



And so, I am actually disappointed at some of the reviews. If you don't like certain songs that's fine, say so, but spend more time sharing what you like rather than what you don't like and please, please, please, stop telling Joe what he should do, or which musicians he should play with and where he should record his next album. What is your purpose?



As I said in my intro, I found 6 excellent songs on this album. Musterion has a subtle ethereal intro and I find the "voice" of that song very gutsy. The solo is magnificent. Next comes Overdriver, a pure rock song with once again a distinctive "voice" that seems to speak to us, and superb changes in rhythm with underlying echoes. I Just Wanna Rock is almost ACDC-esque. To those who do not want any more crowd song, I object vigorously: I love this song - thank you Joe. It starts with a very apropos question: What is your Purpose? And I ask myself that every day. The answer can be as simple as I Just Wanna Rock. No need to make it too complicated. Perhaps life has no purpose but to simply be. I agree with one other review out there, the solo on this song is outstanding and ferocious. Then comes Professor Satchafunkilus, the most difficult song to appreciate on this album. It defies the traditional Satch's song with intro-rhythm-voice-solos-chorus etc. The song seems to go on smoothly at its own pace without solo and major crescendo, yet it will seduce you if you continue to let your soul transported by the many layers of the guitars. Listen to it with a headphone and you will see what I mean. It is as if many voices are screaming their little part from every direction. It is an AWESOME song. I do not care for the next 4 songs, and I skip straight to Asik Veysel, which is a sort of balad similar in creative foundation to Searching from the album Is There Love Into Space. I like the journey the song inspires and the beautiful extended solo. The more I listen to the song the more I am getting impatient to see it live. Finally, Andalusia. This one also requires many listen. It has a force that I can't fathom. It is like a group of three tenors in an opera taking turn for their part. Mesmerizing!



Satchafunkilus overall is better than Super Colossal and just below Is There Love Into Space. My favorite albums remain Strange Beautiful Music, Engines, Blue Dream and Crystal Planet. Joe has so much in his repertoire it is becoming totally IMPRESSIVE.



What-is-your-purpose?

Listen and enjoy."