Joe Satriani is often called "The Godfather of instrumental music" and
that's true.He is the man,who,together with his friend and a former pupil Steve Vai,organised the annual G 3 tour.Joe has got his unique style,which you will always recognize.Also Joe is the man,who is constantly developing his guitar playing,taking part in different side-projects(for example,he has recently played two on Jordan Rudess"Rhythm Of Time").He has also been nominated for Grammy nine times.
"The Extremist"is his best-selling album so far.And it really is one of his best.For example "Total Guitar" wrote the next thing about this album:"Joe's classic album full of rock soloing".
This album is not worse than "Surfing With The Alien" or "Crystal planet,and,as for me,i find this album the best of Joe's.
Well,if you're interested in such music and you've seen some of his concerts,you should know "Friends" or "The Extremist"or "War".Joe is constantly playing songs from "The Extremist" live.
"Summer song" is the song,which was used in the Sony Walkman commercial.So to say that the album is good is to say nothing.
1.Friends.The song starts off with great drum intro.By the way Greg Bissonette played drums on most of the songs,and he is really great,he's got a great sound.Then guitar and bass begin to play.The song is really great.It has got great melody and great guitar playing of Joe.This song is definetely a great start of the album.5/5
2.The Extremist.This is one of Joe's classic songs as "Friends".Starts off with a riff played on sitar,then the distorted guitar comes playing the same riff.Joe is also playing harmonics on the song.This song has got great riffs,great solos.A classic.5/5
3.War.This song is one of the heaviest on the album.It is dark.Joe is the guitar player,who expresses his feelings and emotions great,while listening to it you can really imagine some #### going on.There is also a great solo,Joe is using some effects,the moment where he uses Wah-Wah pedal is really amazing.But for me this song is too dark .4/5
4.Cryin'.This is a ballad.A very beautiful one.Joe's guitar playing is great on this song,the solos are slow but really beautiful.I also like the keyboards' part in this song,as far as i know Joe recorded keyboards for this song,the chords sound really beautiful.5/5
5.Rubina Blue Sky Happiness.This an up-beat song.Joe dedicated ita to his wife Rubina.It has got some country feel with Joe playing sitar and acoustic guitar.The solo in the middle and at the end are great.Joe wrote a great song for his wife.5/5
6.Summer song.A fast rock song.It's one of Joe's classic,i think i don't have to say that everything is good about it.5/5
7.Tears in the Rain.An acoustic track with single acoustic guitar playing.This is Joe's shortest track on the album.Reminds some classical etudes.Joe's playing a lot of his favourite diminished chords in the song.It is different from the stuff Joe usually plays.4.5/5
8.Why.Here comes another "Bombtrack".Starts of with natural harmonics then some "funky chords"are played and the the main theme begins.It is some cool funky stuff from Satch ,it's not heavy more or less it reminds "The Crying Machine" by Steve Vai,though "TCM' was releaed much later.Joe is using some great effects during the solo.5/5
9.Motorcycle Driver.The title speaks for itself,you're gonna hear another hard rock track of Joe's.Actually this song is not my favourite on the album,it's good, but ,to my mind,it lacks something.4/5
10.New Blues.This is a slow blues song,which speeds up a little bit in some places,and then slows down again.Not my favourite but a good one,a good end of the great album.4/5
"The Extremist" is a classical instrumental rock album,features great drum playing from Greg Bissonette.This was the first album by Joe,I 'd heard,and as i've already mentioned i consider it the best record of his.Having the album released, Joe was soon nominated for "Grammy" for the fourth time.This album has got no weak tracks,it's not repetitive,and Joe's guitar playing doesn't need to be given an estimate.
I'd like to say that this album is really worth listening and i think it's a "must-have"record for all of the fans of instrumental music.
