Magna Carta Guitar Greats, Vol. 1

I don't know why people argue over who's better: Satriani, Vai, or Petrucci. It's just preference. It's like saying jazz is better than country. People can't compare them because they are different. Satriani has more of a groovy, down-to-earth style; Vai has weird but cool sounds; and Petrucci is fast but melodic (unlike Malmsteen who sounds the same on every song). So, it's all just preference.

Really? Does it matter? They're all great in their own respects. I like all three just the same, i don't look at one being any better than the other. And on top of that, why are THESE 3 picked out to be the best anyway. Apparently you haven't listened to Vinnie Moore, Tony Macalpine or Greg Howe !! From my own personal standpoint, I'll take These 3 any day. I listen to them alot more than i do Satch or Vai. Petrucci is another i listen to quite often . So? Who's to say? Once you start listening to them ALL, you're opinion of someone being any better than the other, truly diminishes..

It's not fair to do so. These amazing guitarists are artists, sculptors of sound. To compare Joe Satriani to Steve Vai or John Petrucci, or anybody else is absent minded. Comparing them is like comparing Van Gogh to Monet and / or Picasso. All three of them were wonderful painters and artists, and though you may like one more than the next, it doesn't make them better. Satriani, Vai and Petrucci all have their strengths and (believe it or not,) their weaknesses. All of these guitarists are so very talented and so very good at what they do that it should be impossible to say that one is more talented than the other. So please, stop bickering and just review the album.

Ok, I'll set this strait. Joe Satriani is not better than Vai or Petrucci. Joe may have taught Vai, but Vai surpassed him. Now, Vai cannot however, compare to Petrucci. He is one of the best the world will ever see. (If he isnt already.. Good Album Though.

Well Petrucci definately plays his solos live. I saw Dream Theater in concert and he was actually playing them with out any hickups inbetween. Im sure Vai and Satch play their solos too and all are phenominal but Petrucci had the perfect blend of speed and melodic playing and fits it into all these crazy time signatures. But what do I know.....I'm only a drummer.

You go see a G3 concert. While watching Petrucci you think to yourself, "this is so great"! During Vai you think to yourself, "How can anything be better than this"?........ and 3 minutes into Joe you say to yourself, "hmmmm, that's how"!

Every Guitarist on this album is great and each is liked for their own style. Satch is the most accomplished player out there but my favorite shredder is Vinnie Moore. The man has it all. ( he is top 5 all time of all instumentalists )IMO

Petrucci better than Satch?! wow you need to open your eyes man. Have you seen satch live? so technical, so clean, so fast, so smooth, so much better than anyone else. Joe Satriani has reinvented the electric guitar, and petrucci is an overrated wannabe. Satch is also WAY better than Vai. Steve Vai just uses a bunch of avant garde sounds and weird noises to sound good and hide the fact that he really isn't as good as everyone thinks. All Hail Joe Satriani!

1. John Petrucci - “Fate Speaks” 
from Explorers Club - “Age Of Impact” MA-9021

2. Derek Trucks - “Cat’s Squirrel” 
from the Jethro Tull tribute - “To Cry You A Song” MA-9009

3. Michael Romeo - “Analog Kid” 
from the Rush tribute - “Working Man” MA-9010

4. Steve Stevens - “Roadside America Medley”
previously unreleased from Bozzio Levin Stevens - “Black Light Syndrome” sessions

5. Joe Satriani - “Screaming Head” 
from Jordan Rudess’ “Rhythm Of Time” MA-9068

6. Steve Lukather - “Things Ain’t What They Used To Be”
from Niacin - “Deep” MA-9048

7. Jake E Lee - “Working Man”
from the Rush tribute - “Working Man” MA-9010

8. Steve Morse - “Cool Wind, Green Hills” 
from Steve Morse - “Major Impacts 2” MA-9070

9. Vinnie Moore - “Time Crunch” 
from Jordan Rudess’ “Rhythm Of Time” MA-9068

10. George Lynch - “Anthem” 
from the Rush tribute - “Working Man” MA-9010

11. Alex Skolnick - “Western Sabbath Stomp” 
from Alex Skolnick Trio - “Last Day In Paradise“ MT-2312   It must have been difficult for Magna Carta’s Pete Morticelli to assemble this compilation of fine guitar driven performances. Probe him about his choices and he’ll divulge a tale about each of the creative aggregations featured on this album—aggregations that he fostered and nurtured. No question, to stand objectively, sometimes years after the fact, and single out ten tracks representative of the guitarist’s art must have been a chore—and a blast! Let’s look a little closer at each of these prime cuts.

“Fate Speaks” rumbles relentlessly forward. Culled from the first Explorers Club outing (Age Of Impact) on Magna Carta, it is distinguished by four-to-the-bar snare drum from Terry Bozzio and Yes-styled vocals from Bret Douglas and Trent Gardner. We’re listening to three guitarists here, la crème de la crème. For the solo, Dream Theater’s John Petrucci, at first almost audible in the shadows and then bursts forth, delivering his patent dancing, tugging lines with a dramatic resolution that sets up the vocal refrain. Don’t ignore the solid pad and sometimes-intricate contributions of James Murphy and Wayne Gardner as well as Derek Sherinian on keys! The ending is, again, a Yes-like (or maybe Crimson?) staggered eighth note figure that delivers the knock out punch.

Shades of Jethro Tull! This personnel configuration finessed together again by Magna Carta founder Peter Morticelli on the blues standard “Cat’s Squirrel” (from To Cry You A Song) is a real cracker! All that’s missing is Ian Anderson standing on one plaid leg. But Tull’s Clive Bunker and Mick Abrahams were members of the rhythm section that made Jethro Tull one of the biggest bands in the world circa 1971. There’s no mistaking Mick’s wet guitar textures or Bunker’s powerful and lumpy drumming. But here’s the real kicker. Then nineteen year-old Derek Trucks (notable now for his membership in the Allman Brothers Band, Eric Clapton’s band and his own Derek Trucks Band) meets the vibe head on with his slide work, best evidenced around 4:15, and then in the dual guitar with Abrahams. Nineteen years old! Derek wasn’t even born until well after Tull had peaked in popularity, yet he owns this track.


To the guy that thinks Satch is better than Petrucci, you must be deaf. Petrucci>Vai>Satch