Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock
Encyclopedia
Professor Satchafunkilus and the Musterion of Rock is the 12th studio album
by guitarist Joe Satriani
. The title has Greco-Biblical connotations. The initial part, Professor Satchafunkilus, is an extension of Satriani's nickname, Satch
. The second part, in particular, the word "Musterion" is a Greek word meaning "Something which cannot be known until it is revealed" in English this is roughly equivalent to a secret (not "mystery" as it is commonly misinterpreted).
Satriani has embarked on a special "Guitar Center Sessions" tour, which began on the release date of the album, and lasted through to April 11, 2008. Following this, Satriani embarked on a worldwide tour, kicking off April 30 in Lisbon, Portugal, before moving to Australia, South America and finally returning to the U.S. in the fall of 2008.
Professor Satchafunkilus was produced through the creative envisioning of Satriani and John Cuniberti; guiding the musical talents of longtime drummer/percussionist, Jeff Campitelli
and renowned bassist, Matt Bissonette
. A special addition to the album’s artist list is Joe’s own son, ZZ Satriani, playing the tenor sax (only at intro of track 4). Most of the tracks were composed after 2006 with the exception of "Come on Baby". Satriani began this song, during a snow storm, in 1993 while on vacation in Lake Tahoe. In 2007 his son, ZZ Satriani, urged him to finish the piece which he dedicated to his wife, Rubina Satriani. "Come on Baby" song was used by Vaughn Chipeur
in his qualifying short program which earned him a spot on the Canadian Ice Skating team.
The ballad "Revelation" was originally written about the death of friend Steve Morse's father. Midway through the composition, Satriani realized he was writing about his own father’s recent death. This track is the third composition by Satriani about his father (the first being "Into the Light" from the album Flying in a Blue Dream
and the second "Cryin'" from The Extremist
).
In addition to his prior allusions to the science fiction genre in the titles of his tracks, this album has 2 tracks, "Asik Veysel" and "Andalusia", dedicated to the memory of Aşık Veysel, critically acclaimed figure of the Turkish folk literature
. Satriani mixed some songs of Aşık Veysel and made his longest song in the album. Further, Satriani carries on the theme of exploring the humane facet of robots, started with the track "One Robot's Dream", with the track, "I Just Wanna Rock", which is about a robot's experiences at a rock concert.
In the track "Andalusia" from timecode 1:40 to 1:53 you can hear Joe play a riff that was previously seen and heard by Satriani fans on "The Satch Tapes" video/DVD, during a segment of that video where Joe is playing an acoustic guitar.
.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by guitarist Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani
Joseph "Joe" Satriani is an American instrumental rock guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, with multiple Grammy Award nominations...
. The title has Greco-Biblical connotations. The initial part, Professor Satchafunkilus, is an extension of Satriani's nickname, Satch
Joe Satriani
Joseph "Joe" Satriani is an American instrumental rock guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, with multiple Grammy Award nominations...
. The second part, in particular, the word "Musterion" is a Greek word meaning "Something which cannot be known until it is revealed" in English this is roughly equivalent to a secret (not "mystery" as it is commonly misinterpreted).
Satriani has embarked on a special "Guitar Center Sessions" tour, which began on the release date of the album, and lasted through to April 11, 2008. Following this, Satriani embarked on a worldwide tour, kicking off April 30 in Lisbon, Portugal, before moving to Australia, South America and finally returning to the U.S. in the fall of 2008.
Professor Satchafunkilus was produced through the creative envisioning of Satriani and John Cuniberti; guiding the musical talents of longtime drummer/percussionist, Jeff Campitelli
Jeff Campitelli
Jeff Campitelli is a drummer who has most famously been associated with Joe Satriani on many of his albums as well as when he performs live. He currently uses Drum Workshop drums and Paiste cymbals...
and renowned bassist, Matt Bissonette
Matt Bissonette
Matt Bissonette is an American bass player and the brother of drummer Gregg Bissonette. He attended the University of North Texas's jazz music program. According to Guitar 9, an online musicianship magazine, he has played bass and other stringed instruments on at least 22 albums, with music...
. A special addition to the album’s artist list is Joe’s own son, ZZ Satriani, playing the tenor sax (only at intro of track 4). Most of the tracks were composed after 2006 with the exception of "Come on Baby". Satriani began this song, during a snow storm, in 1993 while on vacation in Lake Tahoe. In 2007 his son, ZZ Satriani, urged him to finish the piece which he dedicated to his wife, Rubina Satriani. "Come on Baby" song was used by Vaughn Chipeur
Vaughn Chipeur
Vaughn Chipeur is a retired Canadian figure skater. He is the 2009 & 2010 Canadian silver medalist. He won the bronze medal at the 2006 Nebelhorn Trophy....
in his qualifying short program which earned him a spot on the Canadian Ice Skating team.
The ballad "Revelation" was originally written about the death of friend Steve Morse's father. Midway through the composition, Satriani realized he was writing about his own father’s recent death. This track is the third composition by Satriani about his father (the first being "Into the Light" from the album Flying in a Blue Dream
Flying in a Blue Dream
Flying in a Blue Dream is a 1989 album by instrumental rock solo artist Joe Satriani. It is his third studio album .-Album information:...
and the second "Cryin'" from The Extremist
The Extremist
The Extremist is an instrumental rock album released by Joe Satriani in 1992 and re-released in 1997 with his entire Epic Records catalog....
).
In addition to his prior allusions to the science fiction genre in the titles of his tracks, this album has 2 tracks, "Asik Veysel" and "Andalusia", dedicated to the memory of Aşık Veysel, critically acclaimed figure of the Turkish folk literature
Turkish folk literature
Turkish folk literature is an oral tradition deeply rooted, in its form, in Central Asian nomadic traditions. However, in its themes, Turkish folk literature reflects the problems peculiar to a settling people who have abandoned the nomadic lifestyle...
. Satriani mixed some songs of Aşık Veysel and made his longest song in the album. Further, Satriani carries on the theme of exploring the humane facet of robots, started with the track "One Robot's Dream", with the track, "I Just Wanna Rock", which is about a robot's experiences at a rock concert.
In the track "Andalusia" from timecode 1:40 to 1:53 you can hear Joe play a riff that was previously seen and heard by Satriani fans on "The Satch Tapes" video/DVD, during a segment of that video where Joe is playing an acoustic guitar.
Track listing
All songs written by Joe SatrianiJoe Satriani
Joseph "Joe" Satriani is an American instrumental rock guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, with multiple Grammy Award nominations...
.
- "Musterion" – 4:37
- "Overdriver" – 5:06
- "I Just Wanna Rock" – 3:27
- "Professor Satchafunkilus" – 4:47
- "Revelation" – 5:57
- "Come on Baby" – 5:49
- "Out of the Sunrise" – 5:43
- "Diddle-Y-A-Doo-Dat" – 4:16
- "Asik Veysel" – 7:42
- "Andalusia" – 6:51*Satriani's comments on Asik Veysel's Music
- "Ghosts" - 4:28 (iTunesITunesiTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
Bonus Track)
Personnel
- Joe SatrianiJoe SatrianiJoseph "Joe" Satriani is an American instrumental rock guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, with multiple Grammy Award nominations...
– all guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, keyboards, vocals - Matt BissonetteMatt BissonetteMatt Bissonette is an American bass player and the brother of drummer Gregg Bissonette. He attended the University of North Texas's jazz music program. According to Guitar 9, an online musicianship magazine, he has played bass and other stringed instruments on at least 22 albums, with music...
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Jeff CampitelliJeff CampitelliJeff Campitelli is a drummer who has most famously been associated with Joe Satriani on many of his albums as well as when he performs live. He currently uses Drum Workshop drums and Paiste cymbals...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - ZZ Satriani – tenor saxTenor saxophoneThe tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble...
- John Cuniberti – percussion