Guitars x 3

Friday night I scarfed a snack at work and went off to see G3 at the Warner Theater. I got there with a couple minutes to spare, so I got a drink and headed to my seat. Paul Gilbert came out right on time, and started shredding on a piece that required three hands – second guitarist Bruce Bouillet had to act as a human capo. I know he played “Hurry Up” and “Rusty Old Boat” off his new album, but the best moments were versions of old Racer X songs “Scarified” and “Scit Scat Wah”, made more significant because Bruce was the second guitarist in that band and they did them justice. He also teased some of Mr. Big’s “To Be With You”, which was nice.

I’d previously seen G3 in 2003 when it was Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Yngwie Malmsteen. I’d wanted to see them on other tours, and endured Yngwie’s antics just to see Satch and Vai play together. This tour I was psyched to see the openers, since I hadn’t seen them solo before. And the one I was most looking forward to was Dream Theater’s John Petrucci. He’s my second favorite member of Dream Theater, and the bonus was my favorite member, drummer Mike Portnoy, was also playing with him. I’d ordered his solo CD the previous week, and it had just arrived the Monday before the show, and I’d enjoyed it in the car all week so I was ready for the show. He opened with “Jaws of Life” and played a number of songs from his CD, including my favorite, “Wishful Thinking”. They were having a good time on stage, and Mike Portnoy was tearing it up. Neil Peart of Rush will always be my favorite drummer, but Mike’s in my top 5. Who else? John Bonham of Led Zeppelin, Carter Beauford of Dave Matthews Band, and Eddie Hartness of eddie from ohio (really great solo switching from sticks to hands).

Joe Satriani came out next, and did what I could only hope for. He noticed it was 20 years since his landmark Surfing With The Alien came out, and played all the great songs from it, including “Satch Boogie” and the title track, as well as the sequel “Flying In A Blue Dream”. Of course my favorite song from that album is “Always With Me, Always With You”, and he saved that for last. Previously he’d ended his set, then all three guitarists would come out for a jam during the encore. This tour, they came out during “Always With Me, Always With You” and soloed, then skipped the encore and went into the jam, Goin’ Down along with the expected Hendrix, this time “Foxy Lady” and “Hey Joe”, with some nice vocals by Paul Gilbert. After the show, I headed straight home. I was home by midnight, but Jill was already in bed, so after some wind down time, I joined her.

Saturday I had a inspection walk for my HOA, which started at 8AM, so I got up for that, then came back and showered and had breakfast. We both had light days – Jill even took a nap in the afternoon while I caught up on papers and TV and started cooking ribs and sauce for dinner. Jill joined me and after dinner we watched 3 hours of “24” and then cleansed our palates with an episode of “Creature Comforts”.

Today it’s been the usual sleep in/make breakfast/auction thing while Jill studied and did laundry. I took a break at 7 to grill steaks and make a salad, then got back online. Hopefully I’ll get to bed soon as I’ve got an early day tomorrow.