Joe Satriani - Professor Satchafunkilus & Musterion of Rock
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Free Music Notes for Professor Satchafunkilus & Musterion of Rock
Free Music Review: Not quite cool enough for me.
Hit: 3 Stars
While I've loved Satch since I first bought Surfing with the Alien back in the day, I've noticed that the past few albums have seemed lackluster to me. My biggest gripe with Satch is something I didn't mind back when Surfing came out, that being that the only instrument in the music that gets to shine is the guitar. That's fine on a basic level, but these songs could be so much better if Satch would let the excellent musicians he plays with do something more than provide a basic rhythm for his stellar playing. This feeling really hit home after watching a video he produced called Reel Satriani wherein Satch spent so much time whining over how the musicians, particularly Manut Cache (awesome drummer) didn't 'feel' what he expected them to feel in the music he'd created. He wanted them to play the exact first draft he made up with a dinky drum machine and the most mundane rhythm guitar on the planet and all but had a fit when Glen Johns suggested he let them have free rein to do what they felt would be best. This movie was all about the self titled album, which happens to be one of my favorite albums because the other musicians seem to have been allowed to 'play' too. So, back to Satchifunkilus... this album suffers from Satch's need to control all aspects of the music. It suffers from a dumbing down of the ensemble. There are a few great songs here, but nothing like Crystal Planet, Flying in a Blue Dream or even Strange Beautiful Music. Its unfortunate that we always have to wait for live versions of these songs to come out before they become great.Free Music Review: A Small Stretch But Misses The Mark
Hit: 3 Stars
With the title I was expecting something a little funkier from Joe than what was delivered here. Like other reviewers I completely agree the stretch to re-create "Crowd Chant" once again, was clearly off the mark.
By itself and Live, "Crowd Chant" is enormously entertaining, brilliant and fun but trying to duplicate it to get the audience involved in every aspect of the show (what I think Joe was reaching for) isn't going to win over any new fans or critics.
Some of the tracks are good, melodic and even at times somewhat entertaining but this is not what I've come to expect from Joe Satriani.
I want to hear and feel that series of notes that grabs you by the throat and tells you simply "this rocks".
Maybe Joe is mellowing with age and his progression in music is taking him this route? I hope for my tastes though, it's only a lull in his career and not the defining moment we'll continue with from now on.
I would also agree he needs some fresh blood in his lineup and even in the studio especially. Bring in some collaborations as Carlos Santana has done, to challenge your catalog of work and see what fruit it bears. Whatever is missing needs to be re-discovered. I hate to say it but to date, this is Joe's lamest work and I've been a huge fan since day 1. Sorry Joe.
Free Music Review: Still solid, but losing his touch.
Hit: 3 Stars
Like most of the rest of you, I am a devoted Satriani fan, and have idolized the ground he walks on ever since I saw him in concert back in 1989 and had the honor of meeting him. I just bought this album a couple of days ago, and for the most part I am disappointed. It is a so-so album. I was pleasantly surprised by Super Colossal and I still listen to it often. His solos were sharp and the songs were very catchy. I'm in a band, and I base my ratings of an album by the likelihood of me playing a song during a gig. Other than the last two songs, and maybe Overdriver, nothing grabs me like his older material does. It seems like most of the album sans Asik Veysel and Andalusia were old "B" sides. I Just Wanna Rock is Crowd Chant all over again except it is cheesy. I did like the solo, but the remaining parts of the song were not good. I hate to be critical of the man who has kept me absolutely captivated over the past 20 years, but this is not his best work. Maybe Father Time is catching up to him. I hope he puts some new wrinkles into his next album.Free Music Review: It's been two years.. Gotta make a cd!
Hit: 3 Stars
As you can tell by the title, I'm like many others here... we love Joe but we are needing more. There are a few instances of originality here but overall it's business as usual. His last 3-4 discs are just becoming interchangeable. For most artists that would be disasterous, for Joe it's merely just below the excellence he's capable of.
Some of it may just be too much touring but even looking at the enclosed artwork is yawn inducing; a couple of pics with Joe looking around.. is this the best and most original the minds at the Satriani Camp can come up with?
I too have been a fan since Surfing and can remember the first time Crystal Planet dropped on my doorstep.. like a ton of bricks! But lately it's just been a couple of good sized rocks.
Didn't the voice box effect (ala I Just Wanna Rock) go out with Bon Jovi in the early 90's?
Free Music Review: One of my least favorite Satriani albums
Hit: 3 Stars
I'll start with the obligatory statement of "I am a huge Joe Satriani fan." I have everything he has ever released. However, this album almost never makes it into my CD player. None of the songs have a catchy hook. The slower songs don't really reach the 'touching' levels of Always With Me, Always With You or Ten Words, or other slow Satch songs. Don't get me wrong, for Satriani fans, it is acceptable - just not great. His playing is great as always, I just wish he would go in another direction. Revelation is decent, I suppose. But "I Just Wanna Rock?" I thought Crowd Chant shallow, now I see an even worse effort in that one. I suggest purchasing almost any other of his entries (except the bad ones mentioned above) or wait for his new project Chickenfoot.