Okay,
Here's a quick rundown of what I recall from the show last night:
It was a true Dress Rehearsal, so they played a 45 -50 minute set which I assume will be their alloted time on the G3 tour. They opened doors promptly at 7:00pm and the show was underway within about 20 minutes. There was some introductory speaking and big THANK YOU'S to the folks at Carvin that helped put the event together. Vai then came out on his own and Thomas handed him a new white triple-neck for the opening song. It was basically a free-form solo piece, although there were many elements from the extended solo section of "Rescue Me or Bury Me". The top neck was used for synth sounds, middle neck was the
standard JEM configuration, and the bottom neck was set up as fretless w/a sustainer (I was sitting off to the side of the stage, so don't hold me to this). At the end of the opening piece, the rest of the band joined him and they played a new song w/vocals (I assume it's a new piece the Vai band has been working on, but no title was given so I can't say for sure). After that, Vai said a few quick words and gotthe rest of the show underway. Here are the tracks I remember (in no particular order):
The Reaper Rap (w/some sections from "The Animal" and another track thrown in)
Juice (simply awesome)
Bangkok/Bullwhip (ended right where Pusa Rd would have started)
Now We Run
Whispering A Prayer
For the Love of God
ENCORE:
Jibboom
All in all, a great show for a great price
. Evo is still used on a few of the songs, with FLO being used also. Too bad about Evo's condition. It really is a great
sounding guitar compared to his other ones. Show ended around 8:30 pm. I could have waited around for autographs and such, but instead took a peek at his pedal board and Legacy heads. Since it was a proper rehearsal, his full set-up was used: 3 Legacy heads (one was back-up, I think) and 3 4X2 cabs. He runs one dry and two wet, IIRC. Tony McAlpine was also playing a Legacy, but most of the time he played keys. The band was just spot-on. My only complaint would have been the audience. They sat stone-still through the entire set. You'd think they were going to be tested or something. Ah. well. I'm sure the G3 audiences will love it. I'll post another review after the San Diego show this coming weekend.
