Live Review: Joe Satriani, Sit Down, Servant!!

With minimal fanfare (none) instrumental drums and triple neck steel guitar duo Sit Down, Servant!! nonchalantly go about their work. A fitting act to support tonight’s headliner, the pair fill Palais Theatre’s space with sounds that merge jazzy slide guitar lines with dub beats that evoke The Police’s Stewart Copeland. Playing a medley of spirituals and reworking Led Zeppelin’s When The Levee Breaks they have us enthralled, but unfortunately the duo from Austin, Texas are only allowed to give us a “taste” for what seems a paltry 30 minutes.

Road crew now prep the expansive stage with drums and keyboards that are situated on risers, centre stage and stage left respectively. As the foursome walk out, Joe Satriani and friends launch straight into the country-infused twang of Jumpin’ In from most recent release Unstoppable Momentum. Satriani is casually dressed in black t-shirt, black jeans and black wraparound sunnies, which contrast his orange Ibanez signature model guitar. As the mumbling voice recording that heralds the start of Flying In A Blue Dream sounds and the song’s sustained guitar notes ring out, the crowd roars their support as Satriani frees his fingers for trademark legato solos during the song’s lead break. Images of sunlight through water provide a soothing visual on the large screen behind the band.

“I wanna thank you all for bringing us back,” the man of the hour enthuses, introducing Unstoppable Momentum. “It’s such a pleasure to play here in Melbourne for you guys, thank you.” Keyboardist/backing guitarist Mike Keneally does a fine job with both instruments, descending from his keyboard riser to provide guitar harmonies and dueling solos when the need arises. Bassist Bryan Beller’s skills are highlighted with slap bass sections during The Weight Of The World, a track that segues into Ice 9 from Surfing With The Alien – the album that really put Satriani on the map. All members have brought their A game tonight and drumming gun Marco Minnemann now takes a moment to blow our little minds with cymbal and stick work that elicits many a gasp.

The latest album gets a decent showing, but it’s older tracks from the first few albums that receive the best response. Satch Boogie goes down a storm as does Cryin’ and (of course) the memorable Always With Me Always With You. Surfing With The Alien closes out the main set and brings us to our feet.

The encore features a call and response that has everyone mimicking guitar lines before the band whip out Summer Song. Satriani finishes tonight’s inspired performance with a whammy showcase conducted by Minnemann before all members combine and, in true shred fashion, milk their instruments dry.