I'm an old school fan from England whom you met briefly in Birmingham, N.E.C just before the 2nd half of a concert (hi, hope you're well, ect). I'd just like to make a few comments on both your past, and present music.

I think your albums (starting from 'Not of This earth' and ending with 'Crystal planet') adopted a sort of intangible vibe, a glimpse into the laid-back american surf-type culture that lived within your music. It was fun music, and a culture people wanted to be a part of. It was also a glimpse into a small, lost culture, something that will live on like a time-capsule within your music. Thanks for that, through your music I was able to develop dreams that led me to becoming both an accomplished musician, and a university music graduate. Both my brother, and my mother all had a moment while listening to 'Day at the beach..' & 'Rubina', and we all seemed to agree that your music was an embodiment of a particular culture, such as classical music is to germany/europe, Flamenco music is to spain, Taiko music to Japan, ect. We all felt, at that moment, this type of cultural vibe within your music.

Now, a quick note about your new music (if I may give my opinion). I'm a lover of electronic music as well as instrumental-rock (you may be surprised to hear! lol), and I'm very well associated with music such as, well...everything from Satie to Sakamoto. I felt you were trying to capture a unique style and atmosphere at first ('Not of this earth'), which later developed into something more commercial, but just as heart-felt and expressive ('Surfing with the alien' onwards). I feel that your music has changed alot. I really liked 'engines of creation' (though it took me a few years to appreciate it, since it's quality fluctuated from song to song), but I felt something was lacking from 'Strange Beautiful music', it seemed a little too 'choppy' from a compositional point-of-view.

...This new album sounds as if you're solidifying the musical culture which you partly created (I hear this in the excellent 'If I Could Fly'). I think experimenting is extremely important, especially regarding musical aesthetics, styles, and compositional structures (we are in the 21st century after all!), but please don't neglect your roots. In the grander scheme of things, your music will show a glimpse into the spirit of american culture during the 'heady 80s' for future generations to come. Please try and retain some of this spirit in your new music, because nobody plays like you.

Thanks for taking the time out to listen to my comments Mr.Satriani. Best wishes to you and your family.

Hi Joe. I'm an old school fan from England whom you met briefly in Birmingham, N.E.C just before the 2nd half of a concert (hi, hope you're well, ect). I'd just like to make a few comments on both your past, present, and future music if I may.

I think your albums (starting from 'Not of This earth' and ending with 'Crystal planet') adopted a sort of intangible vibe, a glimpse into the laid-back american surf-type culture that lived within your music. It was fun music, and a culture people wanted to be a part of. It was also a glimpse into a small, lost culture, something that will live on like a time-capsule within your music. Thanks for that, through your music I was able to develop dreams that led me to becoming both an accomplished musician, and a university music graduate. Both my brother, and my mother all had a moment while listening to 'Day at the beach..' & 'Rubina', and we all seemed to agree that your music was an embodiment of a particular culture, such as classical music is to germany/europe, Flamenco music is to spain, Taiko music to Japan, ect. We all felt, at that moment, this type of cultural vibe within your music.

Now, a quick note about your new music (if I may give my opinion). I'm a lover of electronic music as well as instrumental-rock (you may be surprised to hear! lol), and I'm very well associated with music such as, well...everything from Satie to Sakamoto. I felt you were trying to capture a unique style and atmosphere at first ('Not of this earth'), which later developed into something more commercial, but just as heart-felt and expressive ('Surfing with the alien' onwards). I feel that your music has changed alot. I really liked 'engines of creation' (though it took me a few years to appreciate it, since it's quality fluctuated from song to song), but I felt something was lacking from 'Strange Beautiful music', it seemed a little too 'choppy' from a compositional point-of-view.

...This new album sounds as if you're solidifying the musical culture which you partly created (I hear this in the excellent 'If I Could Fly'). I think experimenting is extremely important, especially regarding musical aesthetics, styles, and compositional structures (we are in the 21st century after all!), but please don't neglect your roots.