Always With Me, Always With You (Live 1988 / Wildcard Remaster)

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin the mesmerizing "Always With Me, Always With You (Live 1988 / Wildcard Remaster)" by Joe Satriani from his iconic performance at the Montreux Blues Festival. This instrumental love song, written for Satriani’s wife, Rubina, carries a heartfelt story. In a 2015 interview with Songfacts, Satriani revealed he initially envisioned the track as a lush, echo-heavy piece. However, in the studio, the arpeggios shone best dry and direct, and drummer Jeff Campitelli’s performances were stripped down to just the kick drum in the bridge, giving the song its unique, raw texture. The music video, directed by John Dahl and featured in the 1992 documentary The Satch Tapes, shows Satriani playing in a windswept desert, adding a cinematic vibe to this emotional track.

The 1988 Montreux performance, captured on this live recording, showcases Satriani’s electrifying stage presence, backed by technical bassist Stuart Hamm and drummer Jonathan Mover, formerly of Marillion. A post on X by @chickenfootjoe in 2019 invited fans to share their memories of the song, highlighting its enduring connection with listeners. Another X post from @historyrock_ in 2024 celebrated Satriani’s ability to make his guitar “sing” without lyrics, a testament to the song’s evocative power. This track, part of the Surfing With The Alien album’s legacy, helped cement Satriani’s reputation as a guitar virtuoso.

Joe Satriani, born July 15, 1956, in Westbury, New York, began his musical journey as a self-taught guitarist, inspired by legends like Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. By his teens, he was teaching guitar, mentoring future stars like Steve Vai, Kirk Hammett of Metallica, and Larry LaLonde of Primus. His early career included playing in local bands, but his big break came in the mid-1980s with his debut album, Not of This Earth (1986). The 1987 release of Surfing With The Alien, featuring “Always With Me, Always With You,” skyrocketed him to fame, becoming the first all-instrumental rock album to chart highly in years. Satriani’s innovative techniques, like two-handed tapping and melodic phrasing, set him apart, earning him 15 Grammy nominations and over 10 million album sales.

Before going solo, Satriani briefly joined The Greg Kihn Band and toured with Mick Jagger in 1988, showcasing his versatility. He founded the G3 tour in 1995, jamming with guitarists like Steve Vai and Eric Johnson, and later joined supergroup Chickenfoot in 2008 with members of Van Halen and Red Hot Chili Peppers. His commitment to music education shines through his support for Little Kids Rock, where he serves as an honorary board member, donating instruments to underserved schools.

Connect with Joe Satriani on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can join the vibrant Joe Satriani Fans group on Facebook or visit fan pages linked on his site for community updates, tour news, and more. Keep rocking with the Zoo Crew, Zoo Freaks!