NorioDS
I imagine that this album is probably one of the most controversially viewed by Satriani fans. On one end, you have the purists who hate guitar that doesn't sound like guitar and that isn't played to bass, drums and keys. And, on the other, you have the guitar freak who can appreciate the guitar in and of itself, regardless of the effects, backing, etc.
What do YOU think of this release?
Alan, I would take a wild guess to say that you like it and appreciate the experimentation it represents.
I dig it because of Satch's compositions. It shows me how powerful you can be as a musician, translating your art into almost any style of music you feel like venturing into.
sepheritoh
I do not have the album. I listened to the demo clips (1st 30 seconds of each track) online and have to say I love what I heard.
It starts very experimental sounding with Devil's slide & Flavour Crystal. Borg sex sounds a bit too unstructured, like somebody just trying out new sounds in a guitar shop, but I like the sounds he got.
Until we say goodbye sounds almost a bit country & western! From there on he seemed to have calmed down.
From Clouds... he seemed to have tried the Pink Floyd style a bit. Off course I love Pink Floyd. Only problem here and with the 2 Power of Cosmic, Slow & easy tracks and Engines are the intros are longer than the 30 secs I could preview.
Engins of creation intro almost sounds classic Satch again.
Overall I liked what I heard. I just might guy ahead and buy it. Thanks for the heads-up!
sepheritoh
While I was there at the online shop I spotted another album of his I never heard before - Strange beautifull music. Very interesting and great! The 1st track, Oriental Melody also falls into the same experiemental sound category as Creations. Pretty good too I'd say.
sepheritoh
An interesting quote from Wikipedia:
"Grammys 2008 Rock Instrumental Performance "Always with me, Always with you". Satriani now has the most Grammy Award nominations of anyone (14) without winning."
AlanRatcliffe
Believe it or not, but I hadn't run across this CD before - anyway I got me a copy and had me a listen. What do I think? I think...
... it's probably his best work since Surfing with the Alien.
That'll get me into trouble with some, I know - but he's really exploring tones and stretching himself into new territory. Every so often I hear Jeff Beck, Dave Martone or Shaun Lane- even occasionally a Belew-type tone. There's a big similarity to Buckethead as well (but better - more tasteful).
arjunmenon
I completely agree with Alan. I bought the album when it came out and have been in love with it ever since. It is very experimental but the sound is definitely Satch. I especially love songs such as "Borg sex". "Champagne"and "Until we say goodbye".
As for seph comment on Strange beautiful music, all i can say is buy it, buy it, buy it ;D Some awesome songs from that album are (besides Oriental melody) Chords of life, Strange beautiful music and hill groove.
Cheers
NorioDS
I think "Strange Beautiful Music" is one of my absolute favourites from Satch. Chords of Life is, to me, just such an amazing tune.
What I love about Engines of Creation is how he later translated the mostly techno sounding songs into very authentic (?) rock on his San Francisco live double-cd.
Devil's Slide and Borg Sex translate so well from the one style to the other and I think that's because Satch is a musician LONG before he's a guitarist. To him, it's about the notes, the chords, the modes, the melody, and all that other stuff fitting together. So I think I'd DEFINITELY buy his music, even if he was playing, say, keyboards. It's his musical arrangements that, IMO, make him an awesome artist.
Man, I would love to meet him and learn from him!
Satriani
WOW! Can't believe this topic slipped by me! OF course I have to stick my 2 cents in, tho with Satriani, I would call it my 10 cents ?
Strange Beautiful Music is an awesome album. I LOVE his rendition of Sleep Walk. Since I heard it, I listened to many many covers of it by very famous bands/guys, and his is by FAR the best (imo of course).
Before everybody thinks I love EVERY Satch song, that's not the case. There are a few of his songs I actually can't stand, but they are few and far between ?
My strong recommendations are
1) Surfing with the Alien (Title track, Always with you, Always with me, Satch Boogie, Echo etc..)
2) Super Colossal (Ten Words, Super Colossal, A Love Eternal, Made of Tears and others)
3) Strange Beautiful Music (Sleep Walk, Starry Night, Belly Dancer, Oriental Melody, You Saved MY Life, Chords of Life, Mind Storm)
3) The Extremist (Tears in the Rain, Title track, Summer Song, Friends, CRYIN!!! and others)
4) Flying in a Blue Dream (Title track, Mystical Potato Head Groove Thing, I Believe, Big Bad Moon, Back to Shalla-Bal, Day at the Beach)
NorioDS
Ahh, I see you finally stuck your info in your sig, well done ? Try something like:
Meir Taitz - Guitar Lessons, Gauteng
084-666-6609
Just so people know to phone you for lessons in Gauteng.
Back on topic, I must say I love most of his stuff except for his first album. There are maybe 2 songs on that disc that I dig, the rest seems a bit too flashy and lacking in tone to be enjoyed.
Squonk
Norio
Didn't you say in one post that you went to Satriani for lessons?
NorioDS
Yup, and if I didn't live so far away, I'd still be going regularly. One time I was walking to his place for a lesson and I heard "Summer Song" being played flawlessly and really loudly and I just figured that he was playing the song really, really loud. Got in and saw him playing and then I knew, this oke's my teacher for life. I'll have other teachers (online and off) but Meir is the man for learning to play, improvise, feel, tone, just a legend ?
Satriani
Norio, don't make me blush on the net ?
Just a note on his first album Not Of This Earth. It was literally an experiment for him. He wanted to make people realise what crazy sounds you can get out of a guitar with some creativity and some imagination. I don't think he was anywhere close to the songwriter he is today tho, I agree there with you 100%!
