Joe Satriani, Guitar Legend
Posted on December 28, 2007
Filed Under Guitarists |
An Ibanez Legend
Joe Satriani has been endorsed by Ibanez since the release of his breakthrough second album Surfing with the Alien. Most certainly Joe has been using Ibanez guitars since long before the release of his sophomore album. Satch is probably the best known of all Ibanez endorsed musicians, and most deservedly as he is one the most innovative, creative, and flat out best guitar players of all time. Pretty good for a guy giving guitar lessons a few years prior to his first CD.
Since the release of his first album, Not of This Earth, Joe Satrini has had a distinct sound and a unique style. 
His first record was a breath of fresh air in the world of instrumental rock guitar. Even back then he appears to be pictured on the CD packaging with an Ibanez guitar, although I cannot be certain. From the start Satch was a composer first and virtuoso second. Each song on his initial release was a coherent, melodic excursion full of energy and feeling. Technique is used only as a means to express a melodic idea or a mood, not for technique’s sake as many albums of this era were guilty of. Particularly groundbreaking was the entirely tapped out, yet perfectly melodic The Headless Horseman. Other classics include the concert favorite Rubina, the aptly titled The Enigmatic. He got a host of weird and innovative sounds from his Ibanez electric guitars that's for sure!
Joe’s second release in October 1987, Surfing with the Alien, set the world of instrumental guitar upside down. This record probably sent guitar sales through the roof. It was the first instrumental rock guitar record to reach the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart, peaking at #29. His second release was undoubtedly more accessible and focused on straight up rocking than the eclectic Not of this Earth. Regardless the record is deserving of its praise and sales figures. Again the focus is on melody and emotion rather than pure shredding technique. Don’t be mistaken though, there is some balls out ripping on this album, but never does it diminish the impact of the songs. The solo section on the popular Satch Boogie especially smokes. Simple put however, every song on this record is great.
Joe’s third album, Flying in a Blue Dream, prominently features Ibanez guitars both in the recording and pictured on the packaging. This record also featured Joe’s singing voice. In that regard and in the song structures, this is a more experimental album somewhere in between the styles of the first and second records. Featured here are several shorter pieces, 6 of them, clocking in at around two minutes or under. Also there are tremendous technical and compositional masterpieces like the title track and personal favorite The Mystical Potato Head Groove Thing. Then there’s the more lighthearted The Phone Call, which always makes me smile especially when he asks “You still there?” before jumping into a face melting guitar solo. This guy knows how to play guitar like no one else.
Satriani’s follow-up to Flying in a Blue Dream, was the more approachable The Extremist. Hence this was a more commercially successful release for Satch. Only recently have I really come to appreciate this album as I remember being somewhat disappointed at its initial release. This album probably has some of Satriani’s best hooks and catchiest melodies like Friends and Why; and Cryin’ has be one of his most moving songs ever recorded.
Joe has yet to release a bad record and continues to tour and record actively some twenty years after his first album. Ibanez has in him one of the best representatives of their product they could ever hope for. Joe has benefitted from Ibanez guitars but you could certainly make the case the Ibanez has benefitted from Joe. I hope to cover more of Joe’s discography and signature Ibanez guitar in later posts.
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[…] guitars are world renowned instruments played by the likes of such respected guitarists as Joe Satriani and Steve Vai.? But where did this guitar company get its start?? Well, originally Ibanez was a […]
[…] previously discussed the earlier part of Satriani’s canon.? Now I’d like to delve into some of his later works.? In 1993, Satch released a double CD titled […]
[…] guitars are world renowned instruments played by the likes of such respected guitarists as Joe Satriani and Steve Vai.? But where did this guitar company get its start?? Well, originally Ibanez was a […]
[…] are played by the most impressive guitarists in the world.? None perhaps is more impressive that Joe Satriani.? The JS series of guitars from Ibanez is a beast that can stand up to the tonal and touring […]
[…] previously discussed the earlier part of Joe’s canon. Now I’d like to delve into some of his later works. In 1993, Satch released a double CD titled […]
Satriani rules forever, to speak like a guitar geek
No, serious, I am a big fan, i love his work very much, each note of each album!
The Extremist is my favorite Satriani album, I loved it from the first time I heard it. I was checking out a record store the day it was released and they were playing it in the store–so I grabbed the CD and pretended to look around the rest of the store while I listened to “The Joe” as the guy working there called him. I went home and played it 3 or 4 times in a row. Some of his other albums have faded in my estimation–but the Extremist still holds up.