B i o g r a p h y (by Greg Prato)
Along with teaching some of the top rock guitar players of the '80s and '90s, Joe Satriani is one of the most technically accomplished and widely respected guitarists to emerge in recent times. Born on July 15, 1956, in Westbury, NY, and raised in the nearby town of Carle Place, Satriani � inspired by guitar legend Jimi Hendrix � picked up the guitar at the age of 14 (although he was initially more interested in the drums). Quickly learning the instrument, Satriani began teaching guitar to others and found a kindred spirit in one of his students, Steve Vai. By the late '70s, however, Satriani had relocated to Berkeley, CA. With his sights set on his own musical career, "Satch" kept teaching others, including such future rock notables as Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Larry LaLonde (Primus), David Bryson (Counting Crows), and jazz fusion player Charlie Hunter. In the early '80s, Satriani got a gig playing guitar with power popster Greg Kihn, doing some session work and touring with the group (an archival release recorded around this time, King Biscuit Flower Hour, was later issued in 1996), and issuing his own solo self-titled EP in 1984, financing and releasing the project entirely on his own. But when Vai hit the big time as the guitarist of David Lee Roth's solo band in 1986, he offered praise for his good friend and former teacher in several major guitar publications, leading to widespread interest in Satriani's playing. The timing couldn't have been more perfect for Satch, as he'd just issued his first full-length solo album, Not of this Earth, which automatically made ripples in the rock guitar community.
But the best was still to come, in the form of his sophomore release, 1987's Surfing With the Alien. Almost overnight, Satriani was widely regarded as one of rock's top guitarists, as the album earned gold certification and the guitarist would finish at the top of guitar magazine polls for years afterwards. He was even handpicked by Mick Jagger to accompany the famous singer on a tour of Australia and Japan around this time. A stopgap EP, Dreaming #11, combed both studio and live tracks and was issued a year later, and in 1989, Satriani issued his third solo full-length, Flying in a Blue Dream. Another sizeable hit, the album also marked Satch's debut as a vocalist on several tracks. His career received another big push the same year when his song, "One Big Rush," was included on the soundtrack to Cameron Crowe's hit movie, Say Anything. The '90s began with Satriani creating his own line of guitars for the Ibanez company (the JS Joe Satriani model), but it wasn't until 1992 that he would issue his next solo release, The Extremist. The double-disc set Time Machine followed a year later (a combination of new tracks, live material, and the long out-of-print Joe Satriani EP from 1984), and in 1994, Satch filled in on tour for the departed Ritchie Blackmore for heavy metal pioneers Deep Purple. Although he was asked to become a full-time member, Satriani turned down the offer to return to his solo career. Satriani issued two more solo albums during the '90s � 1995's self-titled release and 1998's Crystal Planet, and also started the G3 guitar showcase tour with Steve Vai in 1996, becoming an annual event and issuing a live document of the tour's initial run, G3: Live in Concert, a year later. 2000 saw Satriani issue his most musically daring release yet, the electronic-based Engines of Creation, and a year later, the live disc Live in San Francisco. Engines... was nominated for a Grammy the next year, and after a successful tour he stepped back into the studio. The results, Strange Beautiful Music, were released in 2002. In addition to his own albums, Satriani has guested on several other artists' albums over the years, including Blue Oyster Cult's Imaginos, Alice Cooper's Hey Stoopid, Stuart Hamm's Radio Free Albemuth, Pat Martino's All Sides Now, and Spinal Tap's Break Like the Wind.
Miscellaneous Songs - Misc -
Big bad moon Can't slow down Crazy I believe I Just Wanna Rock I Like The rain Lifestyle Look my way Ride Strange The phone call
Miscellaneous SonGS Big Bad Moon (Flying In A Blue Dream - 1989) When the night falls, the big moon's gonna rise. You can look right up, see it in the sky. Makes me feel like I'm going to blow a fuse. I start to shiver and shake with a strange kind of blues. But I like it I see it now the moon is high above. It's got a hold on me, I just can't get enough. Big, round, black and white, I feel the pull, I see the light. Big bad moon's looking down on me tonight. But I like it When the moon comes, got nowhere to hide. It can turn your head around like it turns the tide. Man, woman, boy, child. Makes you feel like you were born wild. The big bad moon's looking down on me tonight. But I like it. I like it Talkin' 'bout big bad moon Oh yeah, big bad moon Talkin' 'bout big bad moon Oh, yeah
Can't Slow Down (Flying In A Blue Dream - 1989) On the highway to your house, I see the signpost, I check it out. Can't slow down now to where you are. I feel like I'm flying here, in my car. I just can't slow down, Driving to the sound. Tear the walls down, tear them down. Feel the power, it's all around. I just can't slow down Driving to the sound. Never touch the ground, I just can't slow down. Somethings burning deep inside. My bloods on fire, my eyes are wild. I'm in my own world, I'm inside out. Looking for something, tell me what its all about. I just can't slow down Driving to the sound Never touch the ground, I just can't slow down Crazy (Time Machine - 1994) I feel like going out for a drive, Don't know if I'll make it back alive. My head's so heavy, my soul is black, Lookin' like something that the cat brought back. I'm goin' crazy, But that's alright. Outside, lookin' for something to do, Walkin' the streets, everybody looks like you. When you can't find love, you can feed your head, But you can't survive when your brain is dead. I'm goin' crazy, But that's alright. I'm goin' crazy, I think you better hold on tight. Give it to me, I'm goin' crazy. Yesterday you and I were two, Now your gone, I'm all black and blue. Don't know why, could be your no good, If I could turn back the hands of time you know I would. Think it's strange thinking these thoughts out loud, Better keep movin', blend in with the crowd. I can't believe I'm acting like a child, One thing I know your driving me wild. I'm goin' crazy, But that's alright. I'm goin' crazy, I think it's going to be a long, long night, Give it to me. I'm goin' crazy, I'm goin' crazy, I'm goin' crazy, I'm goin' crazy, Crazy
I Believe (Flying In A Blue Dream - 1989) I've been out walking for hours. I've got something on my mind. How did we get here? Where are we going? And why is life so hard? I read the stories, see the photographs. World's in a crazy space. I've got to hold on to my dreams; There's just no other place. There's just no other place. I believe We can change anything. I believe We can rise above this. I believe There's a reason for everything. I believe In my dream. I've seen the shadows of the living. Seen them turn and walk away. And I keep searching for the right words To send these thoughts away. There's a picture I like to look at, A picture of a beautiful face. And I see something in her eyes, Sends me to a better place. Sends me to a better place. I believe We can change anything. I believe We can rise above this. I believe There's a reason for everything. I believe In my dream. I believe We can change anything. I believe In my dream
I Just Wanna Rock (Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock LP) What is your purpose? What is your purpose? What is your purpose? What is your purpose? What is your purpose? I just wanna rock! What is your purpose? I just wanna rock! What is your purpose? I just wanna rock! What is your purpose? I just wanna rock! I wanna rock, I wanna rock, I wanna learn how to rock with you. I wanna rock, I wanna rock, I wanna learn how to rock with you. I wanna rock, I wanna rock, I wanna learn how to rock with you. I wanna rock, I wanna rock, I wanna learn how to rock with you.
I Like The rain (Is There Love in Space? - 2004) I'll tell you something. I'm not one to lie, but it might leave you feelin' cold. (Feelin' cold) I've been a sinner most of my life. Dear God, have mercy on my soul. You like the sunshine. That's not my way. I need a hurricane to wash my sins away. I like the rain… I like the rain washing over me. I do my own thing, any old time. Livin' large, always. (Always) I'm down and dirty. It's such a crime. You know some day I'm gonna pay. (Kid) Now and then I think I'm really bad. But then I think of all the good times I've had. I like the rain… I like the rain falling down on me. So come and join me, if you dare. I'll take you for a little ride. (Little ride) Could be the last time, I don't really care. It's just the turning of the tide. (Tide) The day is coming, just look on high. My own apocalypse is falling from the sky. I like the rain… I love the rain falling down on me. I love the rain… I like the rain washing over me
Lifestyle (Is There Love in Space? - 2004) You wake up in the morning and you're smokin' like a house on fire. ‘Cause you've been out all night, and you're burnt down to the wire. I really love you baby, but you put me through the fire. Whoa. Your lifestyle…is killin' me. [x2] And if I don't do somethin' 'bout it there'll be nothing left for me. Whoa. You're talkin' too much while you're driving in way too fast. And you never make sense 'cause you're too busy havin' a blast. I know we got no future 'cause you just can't remember the past. Whoa. Your lifestyle…is killin' me. [x2] And if I don't do somethin' 'bout it there'll be nothing left for me. Whoa. Pack my bags got one foot out the door. ‘Cause I can't take one more night on the killin' floor. I must be losin' my mind 'cause I think I'm comin' back for more. Whoa. Your lifestyle…is killin' me. [x2] And if I don't do somethin' 'bout it there'll be nothing left for me. Whoa. Stop… killin' me. [x4]
Look My Way (Joe Satriani - 1995) Oh baby… Send this out to the pretty little girl in the red dress. If you see me walkin', Baby won't you look my way. If you see me walkin', Baby won't you look my way. I'm the one that wants you baby, Won't you look my way. No, I am not a bad man, Some say just a little wild. No, I am not a bad man, Some say just a little wild. I take you for a spin baby, Make you happy all the while. Maybe someday I'll come knockin', Knockin' at your door. Maybe someday I'll come knockin', Knockin' at your door. Give you some good lovin' baby, You'll be asking for more. Tell me, tell me, tell me, Baby what's a man to do. Tell me, tell me, tell me, Baby what's a man to do. When his heart has been broken, Broke in two. So if you see me walkin', Baby won't you look my way. If you see me walkin', Baby won't you look my way. I'm the one that wants you baby, Won't you look my way
Ride (Flying In A Blue Dream - 1989) I know some people like to take life easy, That's not my style. I'm not the type to let this life tease me, I'm gonna make it wild. I just wanna ride, Get on my bike and ride. Some people think you've got to like your life one way, I disagree. I'm not gonna pay attention to them anyway, It's got nothing, nothing to do with me. Life is so short, we've got No time to waste at all. I just wanna ride, Get on my bike and ride. I just wanna ride, Get on my bike and ride. I see the road, as it opens up before me, I feel the heat. I'm gonna go where I want, when I want to. I've got to be free. I just wanna ride, Get on my bike and ride. I just wanna ride, Get on my bike and ride. I see the road, as it opens up before me, I feel the heat. I'm gonna go where I want, when I want to. I've got to be free. Feels so right… Feels so right Strange (Flying In A Blue Dream - 1989) My heart is pounding, my stomachs inside out I'm feeling kinda shaky, my mind is full of doubt. All I ever think about is fearing fear itself, Wish I could unscrew my head and put it on the shelf. You know I'm feeling kinda… strange. You know I'm feeling kinda… strange. Everything is twisted, everything is oh so tight. Don't know what Im looking at, the lights are all too bright. My brain's about to crumble, spill out on the floor. Sweep 'em up, throw 'em away, I dont want 'em any more. You know I'm feeling kinda… strange. You know I'm feeling kinda… strange. Clouds race across the sky, day turns into night. Still there are the questions, no answers in sight. Everything is twisted, everything is oh so tight. Staring out the window, everything is just too bright. Brain's about to crumble, spill out on the floor. Wish I could unscrew my head and kick it out the door. You know I'm feeling kinda… strange. You know I'm feeling kinda… strange The Phone Call (Flying In A Blue Dream - 1989) Gimme that phone! I got to talk to you, baby, set the record straight. ‘Cause this relationship is goin' from love to hate. You're always trying to make me do things that're really dumb, And we're always disagreein' on how to have fun. And you know I don't want what you want, I want what I want. Well, you look like a yuppie, and that's too bad. Yeah, it used to be funny, but now it's sad. And your friends are all stupid and they talk too much, And I'd feel a lot better staying out of touch. You can say goodbye to me, honey. You can say goodbye to my money. Well, I'm sittin' here callin' from Tennessee, And I've been jammin' with my buddies like I ought to be. And it feels real good bein' on my own, And I don't mind leaving you dry as bone. You can say goodbye to me, honey. You can say goodbye to my money. Well, it's all over, it's just too late. And I'm so glad we're living in different states. You know I said it all before like I knew I should, But you got nothing in your head but a block of wood. You can say goodbye to me, honey. You can say goodbye to my money