rehearsal in Amsterdam

Our second full day in Europe finds us in rehearsal.  This takes place in the Heineken Music Hall, in Amsterdam, a large, modern concrete box with no charm at all but we’re glad to be here nonetheless, to have instruments in our hands and playing.  I’m very happy to re-meet Jem Godfrey, our keyboard player for this tour.  Mike Keneally cannot join us this leg, and he’s missed.  But Jem brings his abilities and charm and very quickly blends right in.  The rehearsal goes well.  Joe offers an easy way to differentiate between the two other guitarists.  “You’re Steve,” he says to Steve Morse, “and you’re Stevie,” he smiles at Vai.  Steve picks up the vibe right away; Stevie explaining that, in the G3 jam section of the show, “anything can happen at any moment.”

if only we could wear uniforms

backstage are often unexplained phenomena

I am sponsored by the fine companies who make these products. I like them!

Jem and I expressing displeasure at our lot.

Bass rigs, now, that’s what I like to see.

(from Left) Steve, Stevie and Joe work out some musical details.

We plow through “You Really Got Me” (The Kinks) with Stevie singing lead and Jem and I backing him up on the “O YEAH!”s.  Next we drop metaphorical acid and launch into “White Room” (Cream) with Jem singing the lead.  It’s got a trick ending so watch for it.  And the closer is (and remains) “Keep On Rockin’ In The Free World” (Neil Young) with Joe singing (or “sort of” singing as he likes to put it).  The last song of the show features Steve, Stevie and Joe dropping some head spinning note clusters followed by sustained three note chords that bend and sway in a most uplifting and parallel manner.  After rehearsal it’s back to the hotel and resting up for the first show, tomorrow night.