The Extremist lives up to its name, continuing Joe Satriani's tradition of exploring new musical and compositional ground. A vastly different array of musicians assists him in creating the songs displayed on this all-instrumental disc, and as such the songs are different from even the usual envelope-pushing Satriani fare. The chugging "Summer Song," the warm "Friends," the slamming "Motorcycle Driver," and the crunching "The Extremist" show Satriani's talents as a guitarist are undiminished, while the more traditional neo-folk approach to "Rubina's Blue Sky Happiness" and the bluesy "New Blues" are different from anything he has done before. So, too, is the droning rock of "War" and the plaintive, questioning funk-rock of "Why." ~ Phil Carter, All Music Guide
Joe Satriani (Keyboards), Neil Zlozower (Photography), Joe Satriani (Bass), Joe Satriani (Guitar), Paulinho Da Costa (Percussion), Dan Bosworth (Assistant), Joe Satriani (Mandolin), Joe Satriani (Illustrations), Joe Satriani (Photography), David Bett (Art Direction), Phillip Ashley (Strings), Matt Bissonette (Bass), Lori Stoll (Photography), John Cuniberti (Producer), Dave Plank (Assistant), Nicky Hopkins (Piano), Simon Phillips (Tambourine), Doug Wimbish (Bass), Andy Johns (Producer), Andy Johns (Mixing), Phillip Ashley (Accordion), Brett Tuggle (Organ), Gregg Bissonette (Drums), Doug Wimbish (Voices), Joe Satriani (Vocals), Phillip Ashley (Squeezebox), Joe Satriani (Banjo), Barton Stevens (Engineer), John Cuniberti (Photography), Andy Johns (Arranger), Kathy Milone (Design), Phillip Ashley (Synthesizer Strings), John Cuniberti (Engineer), Simon Phillips (Fife Drum), Michael Semanick (Assistant), John Cuniberti (Arranger), Joe Satriani (Producer), Mike Reiter (Assistant), Simon Phillips (Drums), Pierre de Beauport (Photography), Ken Friedman (Photography), Phillip Ashley (?), Julie Last (Assistant), Andy Johns (Organ), Matt Bissonette (Brass), Mick Brigden (Art Direction), Joe Satriani (Arranger), Joe Satriani (Dobro), Bongo Bob (Drums (Electric)), Phillip Ashley (Keyboards), Matt Mahurin (Cover Art), Joe Satriani (Harmonica), Phillip Ashley (Trumpet), Bernie Grundman (Mastering), Barton Stevens (Assistant Engineer), Andy Johns (Engineer), Joe Satriani (Mixing), Joe Satriani (Synthesizer), Jeff Campitelli (Cymbals), Bongo Bob (Percussion)
The track "Summer Song" was used heavily in a Sony commercial around the time of its release and is still heard in radio and television advertising over 15 years later. "War" was used by Disney to promote Power Rangers products at their theme parks. It is also used as the intro song to the radio show "Dave, Shelly, and Chainsaw" on 101.5 KGB
"Speed of Light," an unused track recorded during the sessions, was featured on the soundtrack for the movie Super Mario Bros.[1] The cut was later included on 1993's Time Machine. [2]
The track "Rubina's Blue Sky Happiness" was dedicated to Joe's wife, Rubina Satriani. Prior tracks composed for her include "Always with Me, Always with You" and "Rubina."
