Arguably one a Joe Satriani's best albums, his early nineties effort strays slightly away from a) his singing carrer ?? :), and b) his experimental crazy guitar works. Whilst obviously still assertaining his prowess of the fretboard, the songs have a much more rounded feel to them.
Two ... Read review
A review by IbanezMan on Extremist, The - Joe Satriani September 14th, 2001
Author's product rating:
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency of tracks
Value for Money
Advantages:
A classic, Superb guitar work, some of Joe's best ever songs on here
Disadvantages:
None
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Arguably one a Joe Satriani's best albums, his early nineties effort strays slightly away from a) his singing carrer ?? :), and b) his experimental crazy guitar works. Whilst obviously still assertaining his prowess of the fretboard, the songs have a much more rounded feel to them.
Two of my favourite songs of all time emmit from this album, those being Summer Song, and the title track, The Extremist. Watching Satch play the Extremist live is just a sight to behold, but as this is just the album version I shall save my ramblings for a live cd opinion :). As mentioned before, the songs have a more polished sound to them, but the experimentation is still there as proved in the final track of the album, which sounds like one of those he went into the studio and just played on the spot; fantastic !!
Mainly recorded at Ocean Way, and Record One studios, it is apparant that Satch has brought in some outside help for the album. A guy called Andy Johns helps him out, and i'd say this is mainly a good thing, as no matter how well he can play, the assistance will certainly help him keep focused on his goals, and musical direction. I mainly say this because although previous albums were great I don't think he ever really found a true style, but it seems he has now.
As will be found in future albums, each one has a very distinctive style, and tends not to have a bit of everything, like before. Some will probably argue that variation is good, as it keeps interest up, but I certainly prefer the later albums, as despite some of my favourites being on earlier albums, there are a few too many nothing songs (dare I say it).
Definitely one to show people who still claim Satch is just a fast widler on the guitar, that a guitar orientated instrumental album can be a classic.
Just go buy it and find out, you won't be disappointed :)
Some of my favourite tracks that stand out from the rest are:
Friends : Strangly, the opening track, but the feel of the song surely lends itself to ending the album. When I saw him live, he finished with this song on an encore, and it just finished the gig great. Anyway a nice simple track where Satch makes a fleeting banjo appearance. Sounds as the name would suggest.
The Extremist : As the sub-title suggests (Living on the edge), this certainly captures the mood of the song. One of those great car songs also, it is a drive quickly one :) There is almost a duelling going on between the guitar and harmonica throughout the song, that is before Satch blows it away with a dazzling fingers everywhere solo. But he is playing both instruments anyway, probably just to show off a little, but sounds great together.
Cryin' : Either a love or hate song i'd say for this one. Classed as a 'porno' song, hehe, if you know what I mean, pretty slow moving throughout, but has a good feel to it.
Summer Song : Starts off with a now extremely famous harmonic progression, and bursts into life with a great main riff, and stunning solo. Currently, and probably always has been my favoutite Satch song, another one that really captures the mood of the song title.
Tears in the Rain : A completely acoustic song that sounds like something by Mozart. Some excellent chord progressions, once again showing off his versatility, whilst not losing the plot, and the style of the album. Basically a nice interlude between tracks.
Track listings :
1. Friends 3:27 2. Extremist 3:42 3. War 5:46 4. Cryin' 5:42 5. Rubina's Blue Sky Happiness 6:10 6. Summer Song 4:52 7. Why 4:45 8. Tears in the Rain 1:16 9. Motorcycle Driver 4:56 10. New Blues 6:55
All in all a great listening experience.
ps. thought i'd add a few bits to my original opinion, whilst being my first ever effort, it wasn't nearly detailed enough for this masterpiece :)
Advantages: Nice selection of tracks. Great for inspiring guitarists. Disadvantages: Relatively small market niche.
Along with the globally massive “surfing with the alien” this has to be one of Joe's more well known albums. It was also one of the first ones that I got my hands on. On his official website “www.satriani.com” there are links to where you can hear audio clips of his album. You can also hear clips from all his other albums including his live releases. I very much suggest listening to these to hear some of his other amazing work to, and to find out ... ...not. The Extremist was his 5th studio album released in 1992, so lets see how it shapes up....
ALL SONGS WRITTEN AND ARRANGED BY
JOE SATRIANI PRODUCED AND MIXED BY
ANDY JOHNS AND JOE SATRIANI ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION BY
JOHN CUNIBERTI The track listings.
01 = Friends (3min28sec) - The opening of the album with a big drum beat leading into bouncy chords, (nothing to over the top) just something to get your head bopping to. Then incomes the lead ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Brilliant guitar work, easy to listen to, probably his best album Disadvantages: none
Well here we go, another Satch album but thankfully no singing!
This album probably contains satch's best work to date, with 'surfing with the alien' following closely behind.
Joe starts this album off with a nice mellow and chillout song in FRIENDS (3.27) a very easy song to get you into the mood of the album. Joe delivers (yet again) a nice lead riff over a relaxing rhythm part. The solo Joe plays in this one is very bluesy and more melodic, ... ...The Extremist (3.42) is the next track and the album title. Well what can you say? and absolutley amazing rhythm part played here with an astonishing lead played with the fantastic boogie groove and tone he always has. A very nice worked harmonica solo ties in with Joe's beautiful solo here, this track deserves the to be the title track.
Rating: 10/10
War (5.46) is a wah infected anthem, it has a bit of a techno feel to it, and the leads are nicely ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Great tracks, great album art, never gets old. Disadvantages: Nothing!
This guy and this album (and obvsiuly the style of music), come together to make an amazing blend of awesomeness.
He's just so damn good - one minute his music is calm and serene, the next bumpy and astonishing.
I really love laying back in my conservatory listening to some great tunes by Joe Satriani, and he really deserves to be more well known.
All of the tracks are GREAT and, for an album released back in 1998, never gets old and never tires. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: A fantastic listen for any learning guitarist Disadvantages: THERE IS NO REAL ALBUM BY SATRIANI CALLED "GUITARS"
...Released Albums :
LATEST Albums = Anthology / Is there love in space
JoeSatriani - Additional Creations
JoeSatriani - Crystal Planet
JoeSatriani - Dreaming no.11
JoeSatriani - Engines Of Creation
JoeSatriani - Flying In A Blue Dream
JoeSatriani - JoeSatrianiJoeSatriani - Live In San Francisco
JoeSatriani - Not Of This Earth
JoeSatriani - Strange Beautiful Music
JoeSatriani - Surfing With The Alien
JoeSatriani - The Beautiful Guitar (A Best of Album)
JoeSatriani - The ExtremistJoeSatriani - Time Machine
I was introduced to this guitar ledgend through a relation, and I loved it straight away.
Although I am a fan, i would spend your money on the Live In San Francisco to see what this man can pull off live, and it will leave your jaw dropped.
Although he has been dubed as an instrumental artist he...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Label / Distributor: Relativity / Sony Music/Arvato Services
Pieces in Set: 1
Studio / Live: Studio
Stereo: Stereo
Format: Performer
EAN: 5099747167225
Catalogue Number: 4716722
Additional notes
Album Notes: Personnel: Joe Satriani (guitar, banjo, dobro, keyboards, harmonica, mandolin, synthesizer, bass); Brett Tugle, Andy Johns (organ); Phil Ashley (synthesizer, keyboards); Matt Bissonette, Doug Wimbish (bass); Greg Bissonette (drums); Bongo Bob (electric drums, percussion); Simon Phillips, Jeff Campitelli, Paulinho Da Costa (percussion). Producers: Joe Satriani, Andy Johns, John Cuniberti. Engineers: Andy Johns, John Cuniberti, Joe Satriani, Bart Stevens. All songs written by Joe Satriani. Over the course of his last several albums, the legendary guitarist Joe Satriani has established himself as the poet laureate of heavy metal guitarists, a canny stylist with a rare gift for eliciting lyrical nuances from a wall of distortion and feedback. With the support of a skin tight funk-metal ensemble, Satriani unleashes his fiery range of moods, although on a ballad like "Cryin'" his orchestrations are poignantly tasteful. Balancing blazing hellbent phrasing with carefully wrought arrangements, THE EXTREMIST charts bold new directions for instrumental rock.
Album Reviews: Q (9/92, p.79) - 3 Stars - Good - "...the mercury-fingered maestro harks back to a pre-metal paradise of curly leads...Satriani favors a clean, sweetly processed lead tone and warmly textured harmonies..." Entertainment Weekly (8/28/92, p.65) - "...you've gotta love his bounding enthusiasm and heartfelt bag of riffs..." - Rating: B
Titles on disc 1
1.: Friends
2.: Extremist
3.: War
4.: Crying
5.: Rubina's Blue Sky Happiness
6.: Summer Song
7.: Tears In The Rain
8.: Why
9.: Motorcycle Driver
10.: New Blues
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Listed on Ciao since : 14/09/2001
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