G3 – Reunion Live Album Review

Reunion Live captures the return of the original G3-concept line-up with Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, and Steve Vai once more out on the road to celebrate the immense power of the guitar. Recorded during the band’s sold-out US tour back in 2024, this live album captures a complete set from each artist, plus a unique, collaborative set that finds the three guitarists ripping through a trio of covers.

The Package

As befitting so spectacular an event, Reunion Live is available across a number of tempting formats. Fans can choose from 2CD Digipack, 4LP (on black vinyl) in gatefold sleeve, and a deluxe edition that boasts 4 LPs (with different colour vinyl for each artist as well as the jam session), 2 CDs, and a 64-page photo book – neatly divided into artists and jam chapters. Sadly, there’s no audio-visual component to any of the packages, but the photo book goes a long way in helping fans imagine the excitement of the night.

With stunning, high-quality audio regardless of which set you choose, a packed setlist that allows you to enjoy the full set from each contributing guitarist, and a deluxe box that looks seriously cool, this is a tour memento you’ll want to own.

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The Album

Opening proceedings, Steve Vai offers up a seven-track set that is delivered with all the dazzle of a modern movie trailer. From the short (sub-two-minute) scene setter of Gravitas, Steve has the audience (whose roar upon his entrance damn near breaks the speakers) hooked and, when it segues into Avalancha, we’re off into some satisfyingly bruising prog-metal territory. It makes for a remarkable start, Steve effortlessly aligning his astonishing guitar work with the sort of explosive riffs that Dream Theater have long made their stock in trade, giving the audience, whether in the venue or at home, one hell of an adrenaline jolt.

Following a short, slightly sinister introduction, Little Pretty takes the listener on an entirely different type of trip that leans heavily into elements of jazz. A beautifully constructed piece with a wealth of dynamic, the listener finds themselves too busy navigating the twists and turns of the music to wonder about the virtuosity that lies at its heart. In contrast, the beautiful blues of Tender Surrender recalls the work Eric Clapton did with Michael Kamen for the Lethal Weapon series, the result being a surprisingly laid back yet emotional track. From there, we get the hard rock of Zeus In Chains, the Dazzling Teeth Of The Hydra – all 80’s era Miles Davis keys – and, concluding the set, a technically astonishing For The Love Of God. Overall, Steve Vai provides one hell of an introduction to the night, with the audience (whether present on the night or listening at home) left in awe of his sheer mastery. Strap in, though, we’re just getting started!

Eric Johnson is up next and right from the opening number – a partial cover of Wilson Pickett’s Land Of 1000 Dances – he showcases a very different dynamic to Vai. Adding vocals to the mix helps to keep the audience from getting too lost in the instrumental mayhem of the night, while kicking off with a singalong is inspired. The breezy instrumental Righteous keeps things energetic, although it’s an epic Trail Of Tears that provides the emotional core to Johnson’s set.

With both On Ramp Improv and Freeway Jam keeping things moving briskly along, another highlight appears in the form of Desert Rose which once again benefits from Eric’s smooth vocals. His short set wraps up with the lovely Venus Reprise, earning Eric a rapturous and much deserved round of applause in the process.

Finally, along comes the genial ring master himself. Tearing through an eight-track set, Joe Satriani is in typically ebullient form, clearly enjoying the moment, and offering up some of his best-loved tracks along the way. He kicks things off with Raspberry Jam Delta-V, a blazing entry from Crystal Planet, although a far bigger cheer is reserved for the evergreen Surfing With The Alien which, despite being some 37-years-old, has lost none of its power to charm an audience. For my money, though, it’s the almighty Satch Boogie from the same album that really carries the day. It’s just such a brilliantly eccentric blast of energy, how could anyone stay seated for such a song is impossible to fathom, and I dare you to listen without instantly wanting to tap one (or perhaps several) appendages.

From there, Satch can do no wrong and so we get the bruising, Van Halen-inspired Nineteen Eighty, a well-worn Big Bad Moon (from 1989’s Flying In A Blue Dream); and, wrapping up the set, an explosive Summer Song from 1992’s The Extremist. A suitably dazzling finale, it reminds us once again that there really is no one better at this type of instrumental rock than Joe Satriani, his obvious joy at being on stage entirely represented in the way his fingers flash across those frets.

The encore

As if three complete sets weren’t enough, a scintillating encore finds these master guitarists squaring off against one another with three blistering covers. It kicks off with an explosive rendition of Crossroads, Eric Johnson bringing some serious soul to the vocals as the guitars rage around him. Recalling the white-hot intensity of Cream, it’s a spirited version of a well-worn classic, and it leaves the audience breathless.

It’s followed by a Hendrix cut – Spanish Castle Magic – here extended to nearly four times its original length, which allows each guitarist to bring their own interpretation of the master. Eric Johnson, meanwhile, offers up a grittier vocal that drips with attitude, recalling both Hendrix and current blues master Philip Sayce.

The set finishes with Steppenwolf’s unassailable road-rock anthem Born To Be Wild, which is presumably also the tour’s unofficial theme tune. With the amps turned up to 11, the audience screaming their appreciation, and the G3 members tearing the place up, it makes for one hell of a memorable conclusion to a show that passes by with surprising speed.

Conclusion

A touring guitar showcase frankly shouldn’t be this much fun. However, it says much of these three virtuosos that they can hide their technicality beneath great music, ensuring that the audience always react emotionally before they have a chance to consider the skill that lies at its heart. As a result, this mammoth live album never fails to hold your attention and, whether you choose to dip into a given set or play the thing from first note to the final, Sunshine Of Your Love-referencing bar, you’re guaranteed to have one hell of a great time. 9/10

Tracklisting (all formats):