Joe Satriani
Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards
Review by Larry Toering
After teaming up with his friends in Chickenfoot, just like after he left Deep Purple, Joe Satriani shows a thicker side of himself once again on this multi-flavored release. It’s not much different in that respect to his self titled album from 1996, as here we get a relaxed side of Satch. There is a lot of keyboard work added to the mix (including some classical piano) and it really does wonders.
Everything is blended so nicely with the help of producer Mike Fraser, that it stands apart from most of Satriani's catalog, and from start to finish it's a comprehensive, intense but mellow ride. All eleven tracks go so well together that it comes across as a display of perfection that hopefully marks a new wrinkle for future efforts from one of the leading guitar virtuosos in an ever changing musical environment. One cannot help but love what they're about to hear on this great outing, Keyboards are handled by Mike Keneally who has worked with Steve Vai and also Frank Zappa, and bass duties are filled this time by Allen Whitman.
Satriani does not let down for one second on this extremely well put together collection of artistic tunes.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2010 Volume 6 at lulu.com/strangesound.
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