Joe Satriani

All of Joe Satriani's music is rooted in the blues, but sometimes it isn't always obvious beneath his fierce shredding and aggressive melodies. On his self-titled release, our good man Joe strips his music down to his core influences, and the result is a sizzling blues record. Like all his music, the playing oozes feel and emotion. The songs here are much slower than his intense songs from albums like _Surfing with the Alien_ or _Flying in a Blue Dream_. Yet, for all its relaxed colors, there is a hushed intensity in the soulful grooves and flickering riffs. Even though blues generally isn't my cup of tea, every song on this album is good or great. "Cool #9" is a wickedly groovy blues piece with calculated build-ups and perfect rhythmic accents. "Home" is one of my favorite Satch ballads, romantic and moving. "Moroccan Sunset" sandwiches some perfectly executed blues soloing between heated, tense riffs and rhythms. "Luminous Flesh Giants" is noteworthy both for its weird name and its dense rockosity. "(You're) My World" is emotionally lucid guitar playing at its best. "Down, Down, Down" has melodies mired in molasses -- it has to be one of the slowest, dullest songs I've heard but my mind gets all fuzzy when it plays, and I like the feeling. "Look My Way" is the album's funny and catchy moment. Obviously, it's a must-have for Satriani fans, and even those turned off by some of the other reviews should give it a try. Guitar fireworks? No. Great, soulful playing? Yes. - Amazon User Review

Track Listing:

1. Cool #9       6:01
2. If     4:48
3. Down, Down, Down     6:11
4. Luminous Flesh Giants     5:57
5. S.M.F.     6:43
6. Look My Way (*)     4:00
7. Home     3:25
8. Moroccan Sunset     4:23
9. Killer Bee Bop     3:48
10. Slow Down Blues     7:26
11. (You're) My World     3:58
12. Sittin' 'Round     3:36

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Average: 3 (2 votes)