Jeff Beck

We're in the musical age of this guy

Way back when about the time "Clapton is God" was painted on a wall in England, the white English boys, Peter Green, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, were involved in phrase "wars" where they were milking every chorus for the ultimate, dripping tone and note selection, and throwing their lines back out at the others to challenge and up the ante so to speak. Then along came Jimi.  I honestly believe Jimi Hendrix, a true bluesman himself, yet so charismatic, inadvertently ended this subtle search for blues phrasing, not just for the four mentioned, but for many others as well. But one guy's sound, even back then was different, and seemed on a different course altogether. That guy is Jeff Beck. Where some played blues, he played sound. This search for sound over idiom or technique, I believe caused Beck to lay aside the guitar pick and the speed that it can produce, for his finger only approach and the tones they can produce. And after 30 years he's opening the keg as it were, to a totally and unique mature sound. Here's what, Jon Newey, editor, Jazzwise magazine, a master wordsmith has to say on the liner notes of the DVD "Jeff Beck – Performing This Week".

Up close (at Ronnie Scott's club in London), every nuance of his unique picking technique and spellbinding signature sound seemed to be magnified. Each note shaped, contoured and emotionally charged by the passionate persuasion of fingertips, whammy bar, volume control and a whole heart full of soul. The sheer inventiveness, tonal color and power of his improvisation, harnessed to a daredevil sense of dynamics that will punch you hard in the face one minute while tugging at your heartstrings the next, was simply breathtaking.

I do witness to the breathtaking Jeff Beck. He has created a sound that is simply powerful. I recommend the DVD ( Live at Ronnie Scotts) over the cd. Seeing him play in a small venue is so cool. Check out his website: http://www.jeffbeck.com/