Guitar wizard brings licks to the Big Easy

Sometimes Joe Satriani’s music sounds like an inside joke – something guitarists appreciate that escapes many others.

For guitarists, few are admired more than him for their technique and proficiency of the instrument.

“He’s great. Great guitar tone,” said Tim Poole, a lifelong guitarist and employee of Moscow, Idaho’s Guitar’s Friend. “He can get around on the fret board.”

So revered for his technique, Satriani was looked to as a teacher by some of rock ‘n’ roll’s most bankable guitarists, including Metallica’s Kirk Hammett and Primus’ Larry LaLonde. Jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter also has taken a few pointers from Satriani.

“I think technically, it’s about who can play and who can’t,” Poole said. “He can actually play, as opposed to a lot of people you hear on the radio.”

Not that Satriani’s music has ever been accused of being radio friendly. Though his music has been widely accepted by guitarists, mainstream audiences aren’t biting. The music is widely considered to be heavy on technique, hence the guitar-enthusiast dominated fan base, and light on accessible songwriting.

Satriani plays an 8 p.m. show Thursday at the Big Easy Concert House. Tickets to the all-ages show are available for $32.50 through TicketsWest, (800) 325-SEAT or www.ticketswest.com. Satriani’s band includes drummer Jeff Campitelli, bassist Matt Bissonette and guitarist Galen Henson.

Raised in Carle Place, N.Y., Satriani drew early inspiration, as did legions of other would-be guitarists, from Jimi Hendrix and began playing at the age of 14.

In addition to his solo work, highlighted by his 1987 gold-selling “Surfing with the Alien,” Satriani has worked with Mick Jagger, Spinal Tap and Alice Cooper, among many others.

Under the moniker G3, Satriani formed in 1996 a guitar-heavy super group featuring Eric Johnson and former student Steve Vai, a veteran of the David Lee Roth band. The group has continued to work sporadically, with guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen filling in for Johnson.

Poole, who also deejays at the decidedly anti-mainstream KRFP 92.5 Radio Free Moscow, says he works Satriani into every set he spins. He believes the music can be appreciated by “Anybody who likes guitar music. (Satriani) does a lot of tasteful playing.”