Simon RushworthContinuing our look at the live highlights of the rushonrock year we hark back to a balmy summer night in May. Well, it was a night in May.
Joe Satriani @ Newcastle City Hall, May 13 2008
Actions do, after all, speak louder than words. How do I know? Like everyone else who bore witness to Joe Satriani’s stunning set it became glaringly obvious as soon as the final chords of I Just Wanna Rock floated into the night air.
For the remainder of a fret-burning spectacular Satch steered clear of the vocals and allowed his axe to do the talking. And that is exactly what every fan crammed inside a sweaty City Hall desired.
For more than two hours the hairs stood up on the backs of our necks, the jaws dropped wider and awe struck each and every paying customer. Satriani concerts are not like your average hard rock gig – there’s no wild moshing, no manic posturing and no singing along to big hair anthems. If you bought a ticket to se Satch you were there to gaze intently at two of the most talented hands, and 10 of the most flexible fingers and thumbs, in music.
As guitarists go, few can equal the shy New Yorker with devilish dexterity. Most, sensibly, would never try. Reaching into a back catalogue crammed full with instrumental classics, Satriani made no excuses for pulling the occasional fresh tune out of the bag. But as much of his current Professor… record harks back to the glory days there were few complaints. Musterion would sit comfortably alongside any of Surfing With The Alien’s 1987 vintage and its fusion of powerful rhythm and memorable melody fitted perfectly into a set featuring Satch at his brilliant best.
Of course we were there for the old favourites and a flurry of Surfing standards came thick and fast. The title track teased, Ice 9 electrified and Always With Me, Always With You moved grown men to tears (well, almost). Guitarists of Satriani’s ability emerge once in a generation and so what if he doesn’t sing? His is the language of music.
Simon Rushworth