Arrived at the Tabernacle in downtown Atlanta around 7:30 last night for the G307 tour hosted by Joe Satriani, with guests John Petrucci, and Paul Gilbert. We missed the opening performance of Paul Gilbert, but John Petrucci took the stage around 8:00, and man, talk about a class act! Playing what looked like a "Wolfgang" guitar plugged into a wall of Mesa Boogies, the guy is a God...We were perhaps 30 feet from him, and his fingers were a blur...the band backing him was flawless. Then, the crowd went ballistic as Joe stepped onto the stage after a break, with his Alien Tee shirt, bald head, and sunglasses, armed with his snow white Ibanez plugged into a wall of Laneys..wailing on the whammy kneeled in front of the Laneys, and broke into "surfing with the alien". He did alot of songs I did'nt recognize, but played "always with you, always with me", and of course shreaded "Satch boogie". I, as a "far less than mediocre" guitarist, was in awe for an hour and a half. Petrucci and Gilbert then stepped on stage and joined Joe for their rendition of Purple Haze, and "All along the watchtower" by Hendrix, then "Jumpin Jack Flash", and another Stones song for the finale, all 3 guitars screaming in full loop feedback for the classic 2 minute song ending. There's quite a feeling of awe to have Joe Satriani looking you right in the eye, then giving you that classic smile, as he was playing right in front of us...If you get a chance to go, do it,,,,you won't regret it....
