There’s never been much doubt that Joe Satriani is from another solar system, his skill with a guitar like nothing on this Earth. Always one the most outstanding players out there, his literally jaw dropping skills have been the envy of every guitarist on the planet and something that has thrilled his fans since the New Yorker emerged on the scene some forty-five years ago.

With his acclaimed eighteenth album ‘The Elephants of Mars’ released last year, his hugely anticipated European shows couldn’t come soon enough and the wait was more than truly rewarded during his current tour, stopping off at the iconic Palladium Theatre in the very heart of London.

Accompanied by superstar drummer Kenny Aronoff, keys and guitar player Rai Thistlethwayte and bass player Bryan Beller, the perma-sunglass-wearing Satriani led his stellar troupe in two and a half hours of musical wizardry as only he knows how.

‘1980’ is a dazzling opener, Satch’s quicksilver fretwork and the huge wallop of Aronoff’s drums driving its breathless pace before they change pace into the serene and haunting ‘Sahara’, the guitar soaring into the stratosphere.

Played in front of a huge screen showing the synapse frying promo video, ‘The Elephants of Mars’ takes a whole new life of its own, the sci-fi visuals and aural soundscape wonderfully juxtaposed against the grand elegance of the old theatre, the whole a sugar rush that manages to transcend the norm by some distance.

The band are obviously having the time of their lives and this bonhomie and spark washing out from the quartet and filling the auditorium, the good-humoured interplay of the big bouncing swing of ‘Ice 9’ and an earth shaking and broiling ‘Thunder High On The Mountain’ clearly illustrating how they’ve locked in to each other.

It’s certainly a career and mood spanning set, from the blistering hard rock ‘One Big Rush’ and ‘Crystal Planet’ to the focused and dynamic ‘Blue Foot Groovy’ that uses every note sparingly but with maximum effect. ‘Spirits, Ghosts and Outlaws’ has the sweep of a Bond theme and the huge cheer that greeted ‘Flying In A Blue Dream’ is well deserved, the old friend sounding as fresh and otherworldly as ever.

Closing the first set with an adrenaline soaked and tumultuous ‘Summer Song’ it was time for everyone to take a well-earned breath before Aronoff kicked the second section with a jazz and rock infused drum solo that illustrated just why he’s one of the most in demand musicians around.

An aptly titled ‘Energy’ rocked hard and the jazzy cool of ‘E 104^th NYC 1973’ transported everyone to the chilled-out vibe of the Big Apple on a smoky late-night bar full of hep cats and beautiful people.

Whilst inevitably, Satch is the main focus tonight each member of the band got equal space, Beller shining with his fluid torrent of bass lines on the quicksilver ‘Cool #9’, Satriani’s guitar with the constant movement of a hummingbird as its form sweeps and darts.

Whilst some are prone to make the guitar the total priapic focus, a welter of notes without style or grace just to show the dexterity of the player and sacrificing all else to the altar of ego, refreshingly, the New Yorker has a sense of control that puts the musical tapestry weaved at the core.

Certainly, the six-stringer can wig out as illustrated by the barely controlled mayhem and tortured notes of ‘Shapeshifting’ but a stunning ‘Teardrops’ and ‘If I Could Fly’ aches with soul and humanity.

With the panoramic celluloid shimmer of ‘Always With Me, Always With You’ and the EVH glory of ‘Satch Boogie’ closing the set it was just down to the race to the finish encore with a classic ‘Surfing With The Alien’ to conclude the night in triumphant style.

Taking their well-earned bows, Satriani and his fellow travellers were wreathed in smiles as the standing ovation and deafening cheers of a packed Palladium saluted what was an extraordinary night of music that will be remembered long after the final note fades. Absolutely phenomenal and, whatever planet Satriani, comes from, a life affirming evening of music that dazzled the senses and touched the soul.

Review by Paul Monkhouse

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 14 April

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024

ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)

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