Reviews roundup – Joe Satriani vs. The Who vs. Jordan Hurwitz

Reviews roundup – Joe Satriani vs. The Who vs. Jordan Hurwitz

JOE SATRIANI
Shockwave Supernova
Sony Music

Mr Satriani has bene on a run of form over the last few years, after a few perfunctory releases.  This continues that run, even if it does have a couple of tracks too many.  But when you can widdle and shred the way that Joe does, then bugger the editing!

He’s joined by a top notch band in the shape of long time keyboard player Mike Keneally , bassist Bryan Beller and drummer Marco Minnemann, and they build a base from which he can spring into action.

He’s certainly stretching out in all kinds of directions these days from metal to blues to funk, and if guitar music is your thing then you are going to absolutely adore tunes like ‘Keep On Movin”, ‘Cataclysmic’ and ‘Scarborough Stomp’ which, while completely different in texture and tone, are equals in performance and listenability.

A couple of the tune don’t really go anywhere, but Satch is in sparkling form, and still trying new things.  Result.

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THE WHO
Live At Shea Stadium 1982
Eagle Vision

It’s the 50th (ish) anniversary of the Who and as part of the celebration / commiseration they’re releasing this concert, officially, for the first time.

It was the “It’s Hard” tour, which only saw two dates outside the USA.  It was the last tour they did with Kenney Jones on drums, and their last tour for seven years.  So, it’s certainly a snapshot in time, with a setlist that was different from any other one they did.  The film captures the second of two nights at New York’s Shea Stadium on October 13th 1982. Mainly because they didn’t want to clash with my birthday the night before.

It’s not a particularly dynamic film, with a muted audience and some iffy tunes. (see “It’s Hard” for details), but it’s certainly better than any bootleg footage that’s been floating around.  Nicely timed to coincide with this years Glastonbury show, it’s good enough for the Who fans out there looking for an addition to their collection, and when the Who crank out tunes like ‘Substitute’, ‘Who Are You’, ‘Love Reign O’er Me’ and ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’, then there is nothing for anyone to complain about.

It’s out on Blu-Ray and DVD, with the former having five bonus tracks from the first night at Shea.

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JORDAN HURWITZ
Here I’ll Stand
Tarpan Records

Talk about over-achieving.  Because this is the third release from the teenage Ms Hurwitz, who looks about twelve, but who is now working with the legend that is Narada Michael Walden.  And he doesn’t work with rubbish.

Now bearing in mind that he worked with Whitney Houston, it’s no real surprise that she’s got a big voice.  But she moves about a bit, with hints of country and funk getting added to the big ballad template.  If it’s the latter you’re looking for, then point yourself towards ‘So Very Small’.  If it’s a pop hit you hanker after then go for ‘I’m Ready’.

Best of the bunch, though is ‘Get Free’ with an irresistible chorus.  Granted, the lyrics betray her youth, and someone as old and tired as me has little truck with teenage angst.  She’s about to start college, which could interfere with her world domination plans, so grab a listen to a voice that could definitely go places.

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