Steve Vai vs Joe Satriani

[santino]

ofcourse joe satriani is best.
love the way he rocks.

[Machine_Head]

Both fantastic guitarists but I gotta vote for Satch because his music is way more listenable. I just wish I was half as good as both.

[sw_warbeard]

I always say that Satriani would win because he is more musical. Let me expand upon this notion.

Steve Vai (In my opinion) has more technique, skill and sheer ability than any other electric guitarist in the history of the instrument. I can't think of anything he can't or doesn't do. Live he is sheer spectacle.

Joe Satrini is sublime. You can listen to an album of his from 10 years ago and still discover killer fills, runs, solos and riffs that you never knew were there. His technique, skill and ability is only just shy of Steve Vai but what he has that Steve doesn't is that hard to quantify 'FEEL'. This is showcased to great efffect on his eponymous 'blues' album. An example of how they compare can be found on the latest G3 live release (with John Petrucci in tow). The last 3 songs are classic covers - Foxy Lady, La Grange and Smoke On The Water. Now, it's on these 3 tracks that Steve Vai seems to disapear next to Joe and John - he seems almost incapable of playing blues and his playing seems stunted and incongruous. Check it out for yourselves.

Live, both performers are awsome. Steve Vai (especially with Billy Sheehan at his side) is a sight to behold. He's like a Vaudeville freak show. Satriani on the other hand is an artist with the ability to make huge leaps from incediary technique to subtle emotion.

So, in summary, As impressive and unbelievable as Steve Vai is you can only listen to so much. Steve Vai smacks you in the face and shouts "look at me!" with his guitar. Joe, meanwhile, takes you by the hand and leads you on a magical jouney you hope will never end - showing you all the sites along the way.

So for me Joe Satriani wins.

But... for coolness, no one touches Eddie Van Halen. His technique, skill, and ability falls short of both Joe and Steve but he does have a very unique style and sound. And for sheer energy and joy on stage he wins hands down.

So...

Joe Satriani - Artist
Steve Vai - Freak
Jason Becker - Genious

[jpareto]

satriani plays cool...vai is a super-human