Photo Credit: Max Crace

27 tracks of live, mind-bending guitar wizardry. That’s my review of G3 Reunion Live in a nutshell. You can hear it for yourself when the album is released by earMUSIC on Friday, January 31. 

The album captures the guitar magic of Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson and Steve Vai on their sold-out 2024 US tour. This reunion of six string royalty features the three guitar icons who first joined forces in 1996. It’s the first G3 release in 20 years and includes a full-length set from each guitarist, plus a collaborative supergroup jam session that’s not to be missed.

I know what you’re thinking…”why would I want to listen to hours of guitar shredding?” But this tour and album are so much more than that. Yes, these legends shred beyond belief, but they also showcase their brilliance and virtuosity in other ways. There’s a full backing band and even some pretty good vocals sprinkled in at times.

Steve Vai firmly holds a spot on my Mt. Rushmore of guitar greatness. Strap yourself in as he kicks things off with “Gravitas.” It’s a one minute and 43 second preview of the madness that is to come.

“Teeth of the Hydra” is pure insanity. The sounds that Vai squeezes out of his guitar are just otherworldly. 

“A G3 tour is always an electrifying experience, and this particular G3 tour with Eric and Joe was a career highlight for me,” Vai shares. “To be able to hit the road with old friends and be in that lit-up environment of the stage and communicate on the deepest musical levels with friends is a privilege and honor, especially with such incredible players as Eric and Joe, who delivered magnificently at these shows.”

Eric Johnson is up next and brings a more bluesy vibe to the party. “Land of 1,000 Dances” is first up and includes a catchy audience call-back amidst the jaw-dropping licks.

If you were lucky enough to have been at any one of those 2024 shows, “Desert Rose” (from Eric Johnson’s platinum-selling, Grammy Award-winning album Ah Via Musicom) was one you would no doubt remember and want to relive again.

Satriani takes the stage next and it’s no surprise that his classic, breakthrough instrumental hits, “Surfing with the Alien” and “Satch Boogie,” steal the show. Two genius examples of why Steve Vai signed up to take lessons from him!

The highlight of the album though is no doubt the all-star jam session which kicks off with the Cream classic, “Crossroads.” A perfect track for these three monsters to shine together.

You’ll recognize the closer as Steppenwolf’s “Born to be Wild.” Needless to say, Vai, Johnson and Satriani more than do this iconic track justice with their unique twist.

True that you probably need to fall under the category of “guitar junkie” to genuinely love and listen to this album from top to bottom, but also true that it appeals to the mainstream rock fan as well. 

The pure talent and prowess of these three giants almost mandate giving it a listen!

I’m Music Magazine Writer Steve Pawlowski