Since I was the free ticket winner for last night’s El Corazon debut I s’poze I owe y’all a word or two. First, though – many, many thanks to Joe for making these opportunities available to all us fans. It is so verrrrrrrry cool of you!

I guess since this is a Road Test we can’t officially post reviews for this part of the tour, but I’ll say a few things here. We showed up at the gig around 6pm and there were lines heading down either end of the block depending on how you got your ticket.

As the contest winner I was on the band guest list so we just hung out right in front of the main entry until called. We were the first ones let into the venue and I picked the obvious perfect spot in the bar area along a rail overlooking the floor and stage – directly in front of Joe. There was a camera tripod right next to us that turned out to belong to Joe’s crew and, as a result, we were able to say hello in person to our excellent Webmaster.

This was one of those events where it didn’t pay to be a concert snob; showing up only when you think the main act is or already has taken the stage. We got in early, held our ground, and enjoyed an absolutely stunning performance, as did the overwhelming majority of the crowd in the main floor area. But those who staggered in late were, admittedly, at a serious disadvantage. We experienced absolutely no problems whatsoever and the show was just unreal from our vantage point.

As we hung out waiting we watched Mike fine tune Joe’s guitars while the security crew got organized. Opener Amyjo Savannah came out for her sound check and sounded great in that empty room, and we told her so. The doors opened and the place began to fill up and was packed by the official 8pm starting time. By 8:45 the crowd was getting restless and Mike generously grabbed Amyjo’s Ovation and started tweaking it too.

Around 9pm Amyjo took the stage but was at a serious disadvantage with the restless crowd and a weak house sound system. I’ll be damned, though, if she didn’t hold her ground. That was one tough gig for a solo acoustic opener with a crowd that only wanted to rock, and rock it hard.

Well they soon got exactly what they came for. This band is good. These songs are good. It is unbelievable how well these guys played together. Look, not many people are up to the task of taking a stage with 12 totally unheard songs and completely annihilating their audience - from beginning to end. Think about it – who on earth stands a chance of pulling that one off?

Yes, it was that good. Chad on the drums was pure joy to watch – what he is doing here just fits so well and he is so animated about it. Plain and simple - Sammy and Michael are just pure rockhounds. OMG - Sammy is such a screamer!

They played the songs just as like they appears on the CD, with lp-only Bitten by the Wolf tossed in the middle. Yes, Joe did bring out the double neck and started into an old Rolling Stones tune that Sammy wasn’t quite sure of (wow, was that “It’s All Over Now?”) but then broke into Bitten instead. Joe could not have been in better form and had a few new tricks up his sleeve.

Apparently a disgruntled (drunk/snobby) ticket holder called the police, who called the fire department, which put the show on hold for about 20 minutes following My Kinda Girl. All is fair in rock and roll, I suppose, but hey - what a way to crank up the Road Test. As demonstrated last night, nothing will be able to stop these guys.

ranjack - Thanks for sharing your review. You should be able to post it on the road page using this link:

http://www.satriani.com/perl/2004/review-add

The "r" doesn't show up on the page unless there's already a review there...and there isn't, yet.

I didn't realize there was an opener...I don't think the average member of the crowd will like that, but I always enjoy hearing new music so I think it's cool. Do you know if she's opening for the entire tour?

Anyway...welcome to the site. Have you seen any Satch solo shows before? What are some of your favorite Satch songs and albums?

And, lastly, congrats on winning the free ticket!

Nice review - thanks!

Got a dog, love somebody elses dog, got a soldier, love somebody elses soldier, got s prisoner, or love somebody elses prisoner - buy 1 or 2 or 3...

Glitz Man - I dug up my old post. Go here to hear the two Squares songs...enjoy!

Dearest Joe - My San Franciscan Treat,

(HOPING YOU'LL HELP ME OUT...KINDA NEED YOU ON THIS ONE...PRETTY-PRETTY PLEASE..WITH STRAWBERRIES??)

Hi, it's you're #1 JERSEY GIRL - Jean-Marie, a true GENUINE, an ORIGINAL DIEHARD fan, aka: bb808 =0)~ I hold the title belt for this you know, with only ever missing (1) show....yep, in Jersey @ "THE WOODBINE". Understand, it wasn't for the lack of trying...this was an over 21 show and I wasn't of age yet. (I know you'll remember me...you mentioned the cute lil' italian restraunt, in Cherry Hill, had the best food, I love it too, wanna go?)

Well, hear's the deal....Last October, I was blessed with receiving my ultimate dream gift, a "FANTASY" come true, meeting you, "MY JOE COOL". You're girl, Lindsay Long, made this dream a reality by selecting me as the winner of an upgrade!! A MAJOR thanks to you, Lindsay =) (Think backnow...I was the only GIRL who attended the "meet -n- greet" session, with the exception of the radio station lady) OK Major hint: I asked if you'd sign "My Joe Cool" scrapbook, which did indeed appear to catch your eye. You said wow this is really different, very nice l! With that, were the ticket stubs from all the shows you performed in Philly.(well with the exception of da Woodbine show in Jersey, of course.) Wow, what an expierence.....I'm still vowing & WOWING to this day! Joe, I've been hooked on you since the very beginning. I totally get you.....it's like you possess me with this electrical connection I feel from within, it's incredible and VERY addicting. I'll NEVER miss a show of yours. No music has touched me the way that yours does, I feel it deep within my heart & soul. It's helped me get though many struggles in life, and has become my medication! Always needing my daily dose...my cup of Joe. I was extremely excited when you asked our small group if we'd be interested in having "Chickenfoot" road test in Philly, HELL YEAH! I'm thinking cool..I'm definitely looking forward to seeing this show. I couldn't wait for the official announcement of where & when. I'm already registered for every possible alert, any variety of pre-sale and promotional deals involving YOU. So, now, the only thing left to do was wait. I signed on for a bundle package, with everything included. I wanted to be a "Chickenhead," get a shirt, and see the show. The NEW album comes out on MY BIRTHDAY, June 9th - how awesome is that! Now I'm finding out, while inquiring about my order, that a ticket was not included....the show sold out...I'm freakin' out Joe!!! I've been all over since & tried just about everything to get a ticket, no luck so far. I'm not giving up ya know, I refuse. I'm now turning to you for direction/help. Any possibilities that you could magically make a ticket or two suddenly appear and become avaliable? I've already asked God to help too. So....when see a crazy Jersey Girl jumping up and down, calling for some "Satch Therapy" sporting da "MY JOE COOL" gear, you'll know it's me. Please come over and say Hi and ask if I had any luck getting a ticket. Maybe you'll say don't worry, no ticket, no problem...suprise Happy Birthday early!

Fingers Crossed, Wishing Hard & Dreaming Big,

Mama M:Every redneck wants a dogtag just like it

Got a wife got a family Earn my livin' with my hand I'm a roller in a steel mill In downtown Birmingham

My daddy was a barber And a most unsightly man He was born in Tuscaloosa But he died right here in Birmingham

CHORUS Birmingham Birmingham The greatest city in Alabam' You can travel 'cross this entire land But there's no place like Birmingham

got a wife named Mary But she's called Marie We live in a three room house With a pepper tree And I work all day in the factory That's alright with me

Hi Austin - yep, winning those free tickets was really amazing. Just so cool to be there at the start of this latest transition. Yes, long-longtime fan. Here's some evidence for ya - check out this map of my favorite backyard mountain biking park:

http://evergreenmtb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Trail:Soaring_Eagle

If you look at the trail between markers 15 and 17 you can see it is named Devil's Slide, after my favorite song & CD. About 10 years ago a bunch of rouge mountain bikers were still building trails in that undeveloped park. That's all I'm going to say about it.

We would have to petition the Webmaster to put in review links for the Road Test part of the tour - only the European dates are given as options. I don't know why not - these guys are SMOKIN'.

First live Satch show I saw was at the Seattle Center Arena with Eric Johnson. I believe Extremist and AhViaMusicom were popular at the time. I guess I've seen Joe a few times since and have collected a couple of autographs - I once even got him to sign a Peavey logo barstool (because I didn't have anything else with me) and then managed to buy it from the store.

Someone posted some audience videos from last night's show up on Youtube. Obviously if you're saving yourself for when you see a show in person, then don't click. ;)

Down The Drain
Soap On A Rope
Get It Up

and another one rides the bus...

Slan, I saw Randy Newman once back in the day. Opening act for James Taylor I think.

Got band rehearsal going on in the basement. They're getting one last practice in before they leave to sleep over at the drummers house in Philly, then play at the Trocadero tomorrow. They're jacked up and ready to go! Damn good kids I tell ya!

Come to Reading and you might just get some of this!

ranjack - thanks for the great report! Much appreciated.

you need such a beatin'!

McKenna- Neverending Story?!?!? You're beginning to scare me, Al. Next thing you know you'll be recording your own version of the title track AND reviving Limahl's career! AAAAGGGGHHHH!!!! RUN AWAAAY!!!!!!

GRCGS- Has a nice ring to it. Got me hooked on Ten Words and when Iggy played it, i had to play it. (major pentatonic) never tried to play anything in that mode but being used to minor pentatonic, it just clicked. Still have to work on the solo a bit to get it note for note.

Roy- You got that right mate, Mike is very underrated.... I'm with ya on the GRCGS piccy too.

RANJACK-Thanks for the review on the Chickenfoot gig you rock.

Anyone else got a review? Man I am so pumped about Chickenfoot even with all I got goin' on right now.

Al is mellowing out on us these days. What was that dude's band in the 80s? Kajagoogoo? is that the correct spelling?

G'nite mates!!

A shot from inside the Vancouver gig 30 mins ago

the lineup outside earlier

Joe! I heard you on the EAGLE earlier, nice picks!! "When the Levee Breaks" is the grooviest Zep tune.... "Dream On" is an excellent tune also...