The one and only guitar player. He is the greatest player to explore all the possibilities that the electric guitar could hold, and a pioneer of astonishing virtuosity. My life has been with his innovative music for nearly a half-century. Deepest salute to him. Overflowing with love and gratitude for him. So lonely and my heart is crushed. I don't know what to do. Miss you , Jeff… I have nothing but gratitude for him. Love you Jeff..
This is the best Jeff Beck Career assessment I have seen. I was a fan since 1965. Saw him live in 1968 several times and 1969 met him and had a good chat with in New York 1969. Before Jimi there was Jeff. Jimi recognized Jeff. Jeff never stopped improving. I can think of no other musician who has done that.
Excellent video again Andy! Its ok to be your own island. Its ok to go it alone and follow your own inner light. If ever there was a message I took from Jeff Beck that was it. His legacy is insanely deep.
He also suffered from depression and had several car accidents that hurt his head. I was also so shocked when he passed. He was always so healthy looking, strong. No drugs, alcohol to excess. My heart breaks for his wife Sandra. I lost my husband last year. He was also a musician. I’m devastated by all these deaths so close together. Christine McVie, David Crosby too. Great tribute you did for Jeff. He will live on as long as we keep playing the music and turning others onto him as well. 🙏
Marvellous tribute. I'm 71 now and Jeff Beck has been in my life and my ears since I was 15. His best IMHO - There And Back, Live At Ronnie Scott's, Guitar Shop, Live with the Jan Hammer Group. Thanks Andy. The best tribute I've heard.
Well done Andy. You nailed it and gave a great emotional heartfelt synopsis of an artist who changed rock music. I followed JB since the Yardbirds and I felt he was the best guitarist over the last 50 plus years. He was a rocker who took his playing seriously, never rested on laurels, always looking forward, restless and emotional, in your face yet very melodic and tender too. His legend will grow as time passes and his style will never be replicated, he was one of one. I love your take on his contributions to rock, fusion, electronica, blues etc. When Jeff played the blues or jazz it was " Jeff beck" style blues and jazz, imprinting his unique signature being the virtuoso musician he was. RIP JB and thanks............
A beautiful tribute, Andy. I rather lost touch with Jeff and his music after "Wired" but became reacquainted when I listened to "Emotion and Commotion" a few years after it came out in 2010. When I heard in 2016 that Jeff had released a new album, "Loud Hailer", I bought it expecting it to be a further progression. The first time I listened to it I wondered what the hell it was and what were there strange Cockney vocals but the more I have listened to it, the more I like it and I now listen to it more than any previous Jeff Beck album.
Ronnie Scott's to me is the encapsulation of his whole career, with the hottest band, the young up and comer he presents to the world, the greatest display of personal guitar technique fireworks in front of a small attentive crowd. chef's kiss
As a former music prof and still current player, I appreciate what you've done here - you're making meaning of Jeff Beck's music lifetime. Giving it organization and your passion. You're dead on about Beck being the first rock guitarist - great insight on that and his periods. Always been my favorite - RIP Jeff Beck. Thanks - great job!!!
Andy I think you absolutely ‘nailed it’, unlike the guitar players of that time, Jeff was not primarily influenced by the blues or jazz and your argument that he was the first truly rock guitarist stands. Lovely tribute to someone who really was unique. Having said all that when you hear Jeff supporting Beth Hart you quickly realise what a fine blues player he was.
Just a minor correction. Jeff was with the Yardbirds for 20 months not 10. During this period Jeff's influence was paramount to guitar based groups. Everyone was influenced by the GOAT Mr. Jeff BECK and still is a unique guitarist.R.I.P. Jeff😢
Thank you for this utterly heartfelt description. Like a lot of people I posted a video on bookface when I heard that the great man had passed. Blue Wind with Jan at the Hollywood Bowl. That original live album remains in my top ten and I don’t care what the critics said! RIP Jeff.
Super tribute, with inciteful comments … Wired, There And Back and Guitar Shop are the top three for me. So grateful I saw him live in 1981. He was a totally down-to-earth genius, who at 78 never grew old. And he built hot-rods. R.I.P. Guv’nor
@@naderzekrya5238 Yes, it usually gets ignored when talking about an overview of Jeff's career but I really enjoy the 'Flash' album and it certainly contains phenomenal playing from Jeff even if it isn't considered to be one of his important artistic statements.
Jeff was born during the Second World War like so many great innovators of Rock. That would make a good topic for a video. Rockers born during WWll Great channel Andy !
Andy,Thanks again,this is the best longISH Podcast I heard on Jeff Beck! After his last show 11-12-2022 @Reno,NV I went to the airport 3:45am and talked with his Soundman,we both agreed he's playing better than ever!!! ... I did photography for Jeff Beck Live+CD, I also, photographed Narada Micheal Walden as well, I went to Tarpan Studios,his NMW Band Shows we always got to talking about Jeff Beck,he played a big part of and on in Narads's life,and there was an undeniable chemistry!
I do think that Jeff’s last few albums have some great beauty. His ability to break your heart in the way that he played instrumental ballads like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” or “A Day in the Life” was inspiring. I love his Angel (Footsteps) and Nadia.
A great critique of a Great Musician, Jeff Beck. Born about 6-7 (1951) years after Jeff Beck, I was taken by Yardbirds music. I have owned most Jeff Beck albums and worn many out. I saw him in 1974 with Beck, Bogert and Appice; then 2002 Jeff Beck, Terry Bozzio,& Tony Hymas Guitar Shop era. I was sad with Jeff's death but also glad that his illness was brief.
Very well done and many thanks to you. I'm writing this on April 8 and still haven't fully grasped his passing. He was made of stuff unimaginable to think would ever end. That's crazy but so is this...for me it's hard to envision the skill possessed by this man is lying dormant - never to re-emerge. All gone. Somehow that's just wrong. ..... Lost my marbles on this one. Anyway I'm a guitarist with same last name - always have been proud to share that with him. Incidentally, one album I think you should definitely purchase is "Emotion & Commotion." It's beautiful and worth owning. Thank you again.
Jeff Beck was, is, and will always be the best. My greatest influence, so much so, that I’ve been playing his music for over 4 decades. “Jody”, from Rough’n’Ready, is one of his best songs, in my opinion. That album is so underrated that it’s hardly ever mentioned. Thanks for giving it a plug. The guitar melody that takes off on the upbeat section dances on the stars and is trademark Beck. Thank you for your wonderful tribute; it is spot on. Jeff’s style is exquisitely unique, genuinously innovative, and absolutely amazing, marvelously beautiful, rough rocking raw, and simply one of one. May The music of Geoffrey (Gregory (?) Arnold Beck, The Master Melody Maker Of Guitar, live in our hearts, minds, and souls forever. As he plays with the Angels in the ethereals, I will continue to play his music as a continual dedicated tribute to him. Thank you, and Thank You, Jeff. 🛐🎸💔🙏🏼
In all the years of reading comments about my beloved Jeff Beck I have never come across a comment such as yours. Rough and Ready is my favourite release in his discography and of the 1970s. An under recognised gem , of which he wrote most of the tunes. The band was fantastic, Cozy, Max, Bob Tench vocals. The orange album produced by Steve Cropper had some many excellent tone and sounds. Thanks for your comment. I’m still pissy about his passing. Saw him last October 2022 in NY.
Some good insights here. The received wisdom on rock guitar has minimised, and progressively minimises, Beck’s importance in the 60s. The same is starting to happen to Clapton’s contribution as time passes, too. People forget that the whole future of rock music pulls together and generates out of a very small scene in London where everything coalesced in just the right way at the right moment. Hendrix wouldn’t have happened without being in London. No difference in what he’s doing two months earlier in the US, just the right frame and audience needed. Beck, interviewed years later, noted that Jimi had a performing persona that no “uptight Englishman” could manage at that point. The idea of Jimi was needed and is still needed in the history we have decided on. What gets lost in there is the greatest RnB rhythm guitarist of the time as well as someone who builds on what Beck and Syd Barrett suggested could be done with the guitar as a new timbre generating sonic tool. Beck from the beginning focused on the guitar as a voice; nuanced, expressive, guttural, cadenced, rhythmic, dynamic, but above all melodic and lyrical. Technique can be astonishing but never gets in the way of the expressive content. What he plays is the most consistently unmediated guitar playing in rock. Others copy or develop the mechanics of the media he suggests, but they focus on it to the detriment of, and as a substitute for the content. God, what a loss.
Thank you, it’s a great tribute for Jeff Beck … I loved all the details and your views. I did see him live in June 2022 and had his Blow By Blow and Wired from back in the day (and Journey to Love Stanley Clarke) but didn’t keep track of him in between. So sad about this sad news ❤RIP Jeff Beck 🎶🙏🙏🙏
Great tribute Andy. I've been reflecting on his impact on me over the last 55 years and while he's never been what I would have called a number 1 favourite he's always been there and I've always enjoyed what he did. I steadily built up my collection of his albums though I didnt get Blow by Blow, Wired , Jan Hammer live and There and Back until I discovered fusion in the early 2000s but they are my go to Beck albums now. There was just one minor omission from your history, just rior to recording Blow by Blow he produced and played on some of the tracks on the band UPP's debut album and he can be seen doing She's a Woman with them on UA-cam. Martin Power also wrote a really good biography of him - my paperback version is dated 2014 - that lists some of his notable session work.
Made it gladly through the whole thing Andy. Loved the passion! Beck brought Indian Raga on Heartful of Soul, Psychedelia on Over Under Sideways Down and Holy Crap! Chicken scratch on I’m a Man. And he kept on being true to himself ever after. Great tribute!
That was, indeed, an epic tribute, Andy. Thank you so much. I saw you talk very highly of Jeff on prevous videos and I had promised myself I would see him - for the first time - on his next UK tour. Alas, it's never to be. One thought I had after watching your fantastic eulogy: I wonder how Jimi's lifetime achievements would have stacked up had he lived for another 50 years. We can only be grateful that, in a profession where living fast and dying young (and getting your blue plaque) is not uncommon, we could enjoy Jeff's genius for as long as we did.
Hmm, here's something I thought I had already written on this video, but I don't see it here. Maybe I wrote it on some other video, but if so then it's worth repeating here. At about the same time Jeff was working on _"Blow by Blow"_ and _"Wired",_ he was also producing a jazz-fusion-ish band called "Upp" (sic). People might want to check it out. I just learned of this band a few weeks ago, so I haven't yet had the time to check them out for myself.
This was an honest and beautiful tribute to Jeff Beck. Indeed we have lost a great artist of which the impact will not be completely felt for years to come. Thank you for doing this.
Epic and beautiful tribute. My older brother bought Truth back in 1969. I was gobsmacked by Beck's Bolero then, and I still am when I play it today, and that was just the beginning.
Thanks for this. You did a good job and summed up how I felt. It was a shock I was too young for The Yardbirds,it was the Wired album that made me a fan. Jeff never seemed to just chase the money. All of the bands you mentioned,along with the Faces and The Who,were all my heroes. He could have joined The Stones,maybe even Pink Floyd! Deep Purple were also a possibility. They were,and remain my favourite group. Thank you, Mr Beck, for just being Jeff.
Jeff Beck is my number one favourite guitar, such an inspiration. Amazingly, I've ended living down the road from where grow-up. But that's related to my job, rather than, actively seeking it. Wired is massively underrated, it was my intro to Jeff, followed by the Orange album. I remember that Alexis Korner did a radio series on the greatest guitarist players. It was the first time I heard Jeff speak. I still have on cassette tape somewhere. Great tribute, what feel, what ears and most importantly what groove.
That really was epic so congratulations on a job well done. Personally I’d have started with (or at least mentioned) “Over Under Sideways Down” an equal but tad earlier innovation. I am so lucky to have seen him, only the once. His rendition of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” remains the most breathless thing I have ever heard live. Jeff’s favourite solo was “Stone Free”, he confessed that it didn’t matter what he was doing when that came on his attention was immediately captured by it. Exactly the same for me one “something stupid” comes on the radio. Lucky they don’t play “Becks Bolero” on the radio else I’d be long gone myself. The greatest and most other worldly guitar sound ever created. Great video Andy
I saw JB live in 1965 when he had just joined the Yardbirds. I was already a huge Yardbirds fan with Eric Clapton and the 'Five Live Yardbirds' album, but Jeff was just something else. He was using feedback and creating the most amazing sounds even then. A true rock innovator.
Thanks Andy for a great tribute. What you said towards the end resonated with me - without Jeff opening doors (esp the jazz rock era) chances are I would "get stuck" with classic rock & blues. Now I have all that and much much more. In the later years I really love his work with Vinnie and Tal - what musicians! Thank you Jeff!
This vid is amazing and greatly appreciated by your community. I am totally with you. Wired will always be my fave, an epic in the guitar fusion genre. RIP Jeff
I purchased Blow By Blow back in 1975 when it came out. Still listen to it to this day. Cause We've Ended As Lovers, for me, is a masterclass on guitar playing. I say this as a drummer. To say Jeff nailed it is an understatement. The whole album is perfection. And a teen-aged Richard Bailey on drums, WOW!! He played beyond his years. Sheer excellence. As for Cobham's Spectrum album, another perfect album. Bolin was on fire. Sometimes I wonder what Gary Moore would have done if he played on that album. Excellent video!
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer yes, I have Back On The Streets. I just wonder what Gary would have done if Cobham hired him instead of Tommy. How different the performance would have been. Just a thought. I am very happy with what Tommy did.
In addition to all that you mentioned, I love the "Live At Ronnie Scott's" video. Just being able to see him play is a treat. A great band with Tal, Jason and Vinnie C.
The low reviewers of Jeff Beck Live With The Jan Hammer Group have no idea what they're talking about. It's a thrilling record with incendiary soloing from Jeff and Jan. It's awesome.
Always under appreciated and constantly moving forward from The Tridents to the end. McLaughlin really inspired Jeff to move beyond his past. Live With Jan Hammer is phenomenal - great to see it expanded.
Jeff's passing hit me harder than I would have thought possible. Like you, like most fans, I just assumed he'd be around forever, putting out another album once in a blue moon, guesting on a track or two by some young up-and-comer, and playing on stage as a tribute to some artist who had just passed away. Like you, I love the first couple of phases of Jeff's work (especially Yardbirds, the first couple of Jeff Beck Groups and, of course, those beautiful instrumental albums produced by George Martin). I should delve a little deeper into his later albums and collaborations. Perhaps you'll grace us with such a review at some future date. Thanks for posting this, Andy.
Brilliant tribute Andy We all could have a bit more love and joy and positivity in our lives. So so sad with the loss of Jeff Beck. I felt like he would be here forever.
Tony Hymas does more songs on 'There & Back' then Jan Hammer... Tony Hymas was his 2nd longest Band member next to Rhonda Smith...BTW, the '18' has some of Jeff best guitar work,please listen to it,give it a chance...IMHO,'Who Else' & Emotion Commotion' are ahead of 'Guitar Shop.. ...'Great post Andy,condolences to all Jeff's fans worldwide,his family, and his lovely wife Sandra.Jeff was such a great person,will be missed,and studied 100 years from now!
I like Who Else a lot, thye best of that run of electronica influenced albums. But there is a shift in his playing on Guitar Shop which i think is important to mention.
Also,interesting Jeff's shift to woman in his band... Jennifer Batten, All the great Woman Vocalist's collaborations,TAL Wilkenfeld,then RHONDA SMITH leaving Prince's band to Jeff's,then also Lizzie Ball, Vannessa Freebain-Smith,then Anika Niles on Drums on the final Tour,Jeff was championing the women who enjoyed working with in a band! Needs toi be mentioned...You really provided a great Podcast my friend@@AndyEdwardsDrummer
Great review, thank you. It seems I’ve lived with Jeff Beck music all my life. For me from Blow by Blow right thru to 18 which I love btw. Always moving forward always dipping into unexpected pools but always making classic tracks his own. Striving for perfection all the time which is never easily won but so so worth it. Thank you Mr Beck.
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Listening to 'Wired' last night, and just the amount of detail, from delicate to visceral, in 'Goodbye Pork Pie Hat' alone is astonishing, and very moving too: a move between two carefully chosen notes can have me in tears, seriously (I'm a sucker for that).
Well done Andy!! I am surprised you didn't mention the Live At Ronnie's album/DVD which was as jazz fusion as you can get.....Stratus and Eternity's Breath with the perfect band....Vinnie, Tal and Jason. All his skills are on display here....mindblowing!!!
Andy, Jeff Beck was the one and only I followed him everywhere 10times to England. I saw everyone,they'll never be another Jeff... I was @ Craig Kilbourn Show,Jay Leno,entire 3 Day Retrospective, 5 Day Ronnie Scott's Residency(it was 6 Shows),R&RHall Of Fame,50th Year Anniversay Show @ Hollywood Bowl,Jeff & Rod Stewart Reunion Show @Hollywood Bowl,(BTW,I saw Allan Holdswoth show at the Jazz Cafe the night before,Jeff 5 Day Residency.(Allan Holdswoth said he'd be @Jeff's shows if he wansn't tied up with Studio work,said he loved Jeff's work!),Pattie Smith's Meltdown,and some entire US Tour over 150+ concerts, Last tour I went to 14 shows leading to his final show 11-12-2022@RENO,NV... I left in the morning 3:45am going to the airport and we both agreed he was playing better than ever! I got to know Jeff and his lovely wife Sandra,I am sending my condolences... Lastly, John McLaughlin told me Jeff was his favorite Guitar player.Jeff toid me John McLaughlin was the best,but that other's are also the best at what they do!
Yowza...I flew out to LA from NYC area to go to Hollywood Bowl Sept 2019 for the Rod/Jeff reunion. You take the prize for the most concerts...incredible. I last saw him 10/15/2022 in Huntington, LI, NY...but I could not tolerate Depp. I thought Jeff looked emaciated thin...
Jeff did not look emaciated,very similar to every other time I saw him,I was backstage,spoke to him,he looked great. Beyond that,Jeff was playing at an incredible level this last tour. Do understand that 13 of the 20 songs were without Depp. On on the Depp songs he was taking some incredible solos. No disrespect,but I think a lot of people didn't listen to the album '18' Jeff is playing incredibly well on it! I went to 14 shows. And me and his Soundman agreed that he was playing better than ever! Anyway no argument here respect and condolences to all fans, I am gutted...@@sealisa1398
@@deanoppergoalieclinics834 I thought he looked quite thin, yes, he only had a few tunes with Depp at end of the set. JD added nothing to the night. My opinion… sounds like you’re in with the in crowd. Just a mortal soul myself with my own observations. We all grieve in our own ways…feeling a great loss, loved looking forward to attending his live performances. Sail on sailor, RIP Jeff.
That was a wonderful tour through Jeff's amazing career. Thank you Andy for doing this and devoting more than an hour to this gifted genius. I agree with everything you so eloquently stated regarding his work up to Guitar Shop. Unfortunately, his latter albums always seem to get missed or glossed over by almost everyone, yet these are some of his greatest work - IMHO! Brush with the Blues, Blast From the East, Psycho Sam, Earth Quake, Angel Footsteps, Even Odds, Nadia, LOOSE CANNON! Another great is JB Blues (where his guitar seems to cycle between bouts of insanity and peace). Can't forget Blackbird (where he actually sounds like he's interacting with blackbirds outside - nailing their chirp - WOW - who else does that)? Rolling and Tumbling, Suspension, Hot Rod Honeymoon, Seasons, Plan B, Grease Monkey, Why Lord Oh Why? Never Alone, Serene, and on...Oh Yeah...Scared For the Children. Even more amazing is that he was still going strong and touring until last month. None of his colleagues can say the same (who of course are legends in their own right). Life is filled with strange anomalies and this trifecta of rock happening when and where it did is one of them - the ripples continue until today! Interestingly, Beck seemed to be like a bridge...between Clapton's and Page's Yardbirds...Clapton's sophisticated blues and Jimmy's dirty blues (hard rock). I love that Beck was friends with both; I am not sure if Clapton and Page consider themselves as friends (they seem so opposite)?
Saw Beck in 80' on the There & Back tour( unfortunately without Jan Hammer who I was really hoping to see also) & near the end of his last one in November.My lady friend a tall leggy blonde who wanted to try to get us backstage & if anyone could've it'd been her but I didn't want to take even the smallest chance of bothering Beck,moody cat that he was.The next day we heard there was a big party backstage & Jimmy Page & Brian May made an appearance but I saw already the only guitar player I wanted to see.You will be sorely missed sir.
That BBA live version of Superstition is an absolute MONSTER. It’s so different from Stevie Wonder’s, they shouldn’t be compared to each other. At LEAST as heavy an instrumental trio as Cream or Zeppelin, but with WAY more groove - call it Heavy Metal R & B.
I just became acquainted with your channel today. I was born in 1966 so I really didn't become familiar with Jeff until the early 80s and, believe it or not, it was primarily due to Box of Frogs (basically The Yardbirds sans the deceased Keith Relf with John Fiddler on vocals and with 4 or so guest guitar solo players across the tracks). Beck's 4 tracks really pricked up my ears and I went into a career deep dive afterwards and discovered his prior solo albums and his work with The Yardbirds. I became a big fan and he became my all-time favorite guitarist mainly due to the JBG I albums and his Fusion albums. As his career continued and he was making his second or third "big return" in 1999 with "Who Else!", I decided to set up a Yahoo Group called The Jeff Beck Appreciation Society. It was a rather fun time and some of the members even put together 2 CDs of Beck-inspired music or covers of his songs for us to share. Eventually, Yahoo Groups shut down, so I was asked by the Jeff Beck Facebook group owner to be a moderator there. So I still keep my participation in JB community very active. I saw first saw Beck on the "Who Else!" tour with Jennifer Batten providing her tapping/electro guitar skills as well. I saw him 3 more times in the intervening years and the last concert I saw was in 2018 with Vinnie Colauita (d), Rhonda Smith (b), Jason Rebello (k), with Jimmy Hall (v). That was actually my favorite live show of his since he, Rhonda and Vinnie were like unstoppable, yet beautiful, bulldozers of sound on that night! I found Jeff to be an extraordinary musical explorer as you said he kept finding new styles of music to try out throughout his career. That is a reason why I love the Robert Plant albums as well since Plant refused to be pigeon-holed into remaking Led Zeppelin every time. There's just too many great sounds in the world to stay in a single style and Jeff instinctively knew that. Sorry for the novel-length response. Thanks for the great tribute video to the amazing Jeff Beck!
Thank you for doing this. Jeff grabbed our attention on his first single with the Yardbirds, 'Heart Full of Soul' in early '65, which opened with his edgey sounding guitar riff. 'Evil Hearted You' was next and it too was a winner. But as you suggest, 'Shapes of Things' (and then 'Over Under Sideways Down', on which Beck also played bass) was the start of the ridiculously creative guitarring that would thrust Jeff into a stratosphere that no-one else has ever come close to entering. Some folk will argue that Hendrix was the guitarist I describe Jeff as being, but no. Hendrix was a more complete package as an entertainer, yes. But as a guitarist, a player, not just a sound sculptor, Beck ruled. As for Page, he had been invited to join the yardbirds on two occasions before suggesting Beck. The venue in 'Blow Up' was modelled to look like the Ricky Tick in Windsor and the audience was instructed to look numb and indifferent as the band mimed to 'Stroll On'. Jeff's guitar was a cheap Italian one, provided to him for the scene as he didn't want to damage his recently acquired Les Paul. The only reason he smashed it up was is because the movie's producer, Antonioni, originally wanted the Who, who were renowned for their smash ups. When Who manager kit Lambert mentioned this to the Yardbirds' manager at the time, Simon Napier-Bell, the latter suggested Lambert ask for the ridiculously high fee of £10,000. When Antonioni rejected that, Napier-Bell offered the Yardbirds at an acceptable price and got the gig. Ironically Jeff, frustrated by the Yardbirds' tour schedule, would smash up his Les Paul in a dressing room in America before walking out, leaving Page to handle all the guitar parts. Fed up by Beck's mercurial behaviour, the band fired him. The 'Beck's Bolero' session was May '66, not March. It was originally released in '67, though as the B-side of cheesey pop single 'Hi Ho Silver Lining', which means Jeff fans didn't hear it at the time, only hearing it on 'Truth', which as you indicate was two years after the fact and so lost any opportunity to be the history maker it would have been. Yes, 'Beck-Ola' is great. 'Truth' had some great tunes but wasn't a great album, IMO. 'Beck-Ola' was more cohesive. It was also heavy rock versus heavy blues, so he was moving on from the late 60s heavy blues rock cliche that he had created - . I believe Beck's auto smash happened the evening prior to him flying to America to join Tim and Carmine. The anticipation was that Rod Stewart would be the singer, though Rod apparently wasn't quite so committed to the idea. Bobby Tench was the singer with the MKII lineup. He is also a tremendous guitarist. Check him out on UA-cam, videos of him at the Bull's Head in Barnes, south London. And listen on UA-cam to the MKII band playing London's Paris Theatre. Worth mentioning that one of Beck's heroes, guitarist/songwriter Steve Cropper of Booker T & the MGs, produced the 'Orange' album. Cropper said he couldn't believe what Beck was playing - he was totally knocked out. Yet while 'Rough & Ready', supposedly produced by Beck (there were disputes over who did and wrote what) was a good and consistent album, the 'Orange' album, while containing some fine tunes lacked consistency. Beck had apparently never heard the Mingus version of 'Goodbye Pork Pie Hat'. He got into the song after hearing Max Middleton running through some chords on his piano, asked him what the tune was, and then wanted to try them it guitar. Beck's big complaint with 'Flash' was that Nile Rogers was tied up producing Diana Ross's latest album (which also included Jeff) and so there was no opportunity to develop the album. As for 'People Get Ready', Carmine got Jeff and Rod together when they all happened to be staying at a hotel in Australia. I believe Carmine selected the tune (he sang it with the Fudge) and keyboardist Duane Hitchings came up with the riff Jeff would play on the record. But neither got mention in the credits other than 'Thanks to da boys' or something similar. Yes, 'Guitar Shop' was monumental is so many senses. Live - there are a couple concert clips on UA-cam - Jeff, Terry and Tony were ridiculous. It is too bad you stopped getting Jeff albums after 'Who Else?'. The next one, 'You Had It Coming' is very good. Its followup, 'Jeff' is too diverse for its own good, though listen to the two solos in this tune. IMO, some of his very best playing ever. Here it is: ua-cam.com/video/5py1nmJxXJ0/v-deo.html
Great tribute and especially keen to see the appreciation of Guitar Shop - went to the London gig to see Bozzio and as a press review said next day "A Nuclear power station in meltdown' he was ferocious . Whole trio awesome of course . Wired and There and Back other favourites . Loved Simon's Space Boogie
Thank you Andy for an excellent summation of the innovation of Jeff Beck to Rock/Jazz fusion. His and his collaborations are often overlooked. I agree Jan Hammer and Staley Clarke is/are 'the man'; so the intersections with Jeff are inspirational.
Notable observation: Jeff was very much a temperamental guy to work with in his teens and 20's (and 30's?). But when you watch all the musicians who talk about him over the past few days, note how many thank him for what a great guy he had been to their careers. I think Jeff sincerely liked to showcase other musicians - just as long as no one tried to tell *him* what to do. 😊
Jeff Beck was really my intro to the Fusion scene (which expanded my ears for Prog, and therefore Jazz). A couple of points that support what you were saying about his near constant innovation but that you didn't have time or experience to showcase - he continued lifting people up and into his level, passing on the tradition of influence. On "Nadia" by Nitin Sawhney, he was struck by the beauty of the piece and took it up in a serious way. On the album 'You Had It Coming' he got imogen Heap in to sing/vocalize a couple of songs, including "Rollin' & Tumblin' after meeting her at a songwriting camp and later recording some guitar on her second album. That association was strong enough to bring her back for the famous "Live At Ronnie Scott's" DVD, and along with the great Vinnie Colaiuta, Tal Wilkenfeld, Jason Rebello, and with an additional vocal cameo of Joss Stone. That series of live sets are among the best live recordings of some of his best work of his career, and featured his generosity and humility in pointing to the future for those great young players. His passing was crushing, but his legacy was long and strong. Thanks for reinforcing some historical points I was weak on. Cheers! :)
Fantastic tribute! Thanks for mentioning Roy Buchanan, a phenomenal unappreciated talent from our neck o' the woods (Wash DC suburbs). Check out Roy's live version of Hey Joe.
Absolutely lovely, and most moving, thank you! Personally, I've always loved Wired best 😊 I frigg'n *LOVE* Jan Hammer! I have the Analog Productions 2-45 LP set and it sounds bloody divine! I also really dig the Beck & Hammer Live album, beautiful! Spectrum is stunning too! There and Back 👍 I have all of these on OG vinyl. As far as I'm concerned (unlike many other 'older' guitarists) he only got better as time went on with Jeff Beck's Guitar Shop and Loud Hailer, both on OG vinyl, just fantastic!
Remember seeing various interviews with Beck where he said that the whole jazz fusion thing on Blow by Blow and Wired, was a "bit of a mistake ". That's the way he saw it in retrospect. Great jazz-influenced sense of melody though, great touch, and a mechanical fascination and sense of technical trickery. Would have been a great guitar tech. I think the person who really nails it as to why Beck wasnt more of a household name is Tim Pierce: Basically Jeff never had huge song that blew the world away, that people can remember anyway, "Tthere was no Stairway". He also never played the game, hated the media side, even when being pushed to do it by record companies. He just never sold out, even for a short period, a very honourable man. Also, has anyone noticed - sh*t, there's a lot of people suddenly and unexpectedly dying at the moment! or is that just me. 🤔
The only time I saw Jeff Beck live was when he toured with The Jan Hammer Group. Amazing! I'm in general agreement with your overview, well done. I bought the Yardbirds' Shapes of Things single in 1966 when I was 12 years old. It was a great ride.
Great summary of a complex and varied career. I’d never heard the Woodstock spite story - I chuckled when I heard that. I hope there is a similar story behind the second Woodstock concert
Yes, I think Jeff peaked in the 21st century. I love his playing in the Mike Figgis docu "Red, White & Blues", the "Live At Ronnie Scott's" and "Jeff Beck Rock N' Roll Party" concert DVDs and also the "Loud Hailer" album, which isn't only about the guitar playing, but has songs with strong messages, powerful singing and a very modern production.
Thank you very much for doing this Andy. I still haven't recovered from the deep sadness. Been listening to Jeff all my life, part of me has gone. Bravo e ciao😊
Hello Andy thanks a lot for this video! But you should go listen to “You had it coming” and “Jeff”. There’s amazing stuff there, I love the techno Trilogy: Who Else You had it coming Jeff Thanks for you smart considerations about Jeff’s music.
@@camerontaylor1255 It would have been a great help to me to have had someone recommend Jeff. I had been listening to Jimi, Eric and Jimmy and others for years but Jeff's profile in the UK wasn't as high so I decided to just check him out. I couldn't believe what I had been missing ( having played guitar myself for several years at this stage) .
My first introduction to Jeff Beck was via the Journey to Love album by Clarke. I was listening to Jaco and Clarke because I was playing bass guitar in our school jazz band. This was a gateway into other music such as prog and funk as well.
Great episode Andy. I`m not one to watch videos of people talking about the death of my favorite musicians. And it took me a few weeks to watch this one. Jeff Beck`s passing is hard for me. And I can easily tell it was hard for you. I can comment on all your points but I think I`ll just mention the great Jeff Beck with the Jan Hammer Group Live. When I hear this album back in the day it blew my mind. I couldn`t believe what I was hearing. Was this guitar or a spaceship landing on my turntable? I quickly grew up and studied musicians after this record. Particularly drummers and guitarists. This album has sent me on a long and complicated journey across many music genres and stylists. And of course Jeff Beck is the King. The greatest rock guitarist, yes. But also the greatest ambassador of music to me.
This is a great point. That album seems forgotten too but it's a really great example of Jeff's guitar playing as he has a chance to stretch out with a band of his equals...
The one and only guitar player.
He is the greatest player to explore all the possibilities that the electric guitar could hold, and a pioneer of astonishing virtuosity.
My life has been with his innovative music for nearly a half-century.
Deepest salute to him.
Overflowing with love and gratitude for him.
So lonely and my heart is crushed.
I don't know what to do.
Miss you , Jeff…
I have nothing but gratitude for him.
Love you Jeff..
This is the best Jeff Beck Career
assessment I have seen. I was a fan since 1965. Saw him live in 1968 several times and 1969 met him and had a good chat with in New York 1969. Before Jimi there was Jeff. Jimi recognized Jeff. Jeff never stopped improving. I can think of no other musician who has done that.
Wow...65...thats before the beginning. I really appreciate your comment.
Excellent video again Andy! Its ok to be your own island. Its ok to go it alone and follow your own inner light. If ever there was a message I took from Jeff Beck that was it. His legacy is insanely deep.
You are up in this league Roy...
Nice words Roy…sage truths.
His passing really broke my heart. there will never be another one like Jeff Beck, period.
He also suffered from depression and had several car accidents that hurt his head. I was also so shocked when he passed. He was always so healthy looking, strong. No drugs, alcohol to excess. My heart breaks for his wife Sandra. I lost my husband last year. He was also a musician. I’m devastated by all these deaths so close together. Christine McVie, David Crosby too. Great tribute you did for Jeff. He will live on as long as we keep playing the music and turning others onto him as well. 🙏
No doubt about it King of the Strat! 🎸🎼
Marvellous tribute. I'm 71 now and Jeff Beck has been in my life and my ears since I was 15. His best IMHO - There And Back, Live At Ronnie Scott's, Guitar Shop, Live with the Jan Hammer Group. Thanks Andy. The best tribute I've heard.
Thanks Rob
Well done Andy. You nailed it and gave a great emotional heartfelt synopsis of an artist who changed rock music. I followed JB since the Yardbirds and I felt he was the best guitarist over the last 50 plus years. He was a rocker who took his playing seriously, never rested on laurels, always looking forward, restless and emotional, in your face yet very melodic and tender too. His legend will grow as time passes and his style will never be replicated, he was one of one. I love your take on his contributions to rock, fusion, electronica, blues etc. When Jeff played the blues or jazz it was " Jeff beck" style blues and jazz, imprinting his unique signature being the virtuoso musician he was. RIP JB and thanks............
A beautiful tribute, Andy. I rather lost touch with Jeff and his music after "Wired" but became reacquainted when I listened to "Emotion and Commotion" a few years after it came out in 2010. When I heard in 2016 that Jeff had released a new album, "Loud Hailer", I bought it expecting it to be a further progression. The first time I listened to it I wondered what the hell it was and what were there strange Cockney vocals but the more I have listened to it, the more I like it and I now listen to it more than any previous Jeff Beck album.
Ronnie Scott's to me is the encapsulation of his whole career, with the hottest band, the young up and comer he presents to the world, the greatest display of personal guitar technique fireworks in front of a small attentive crowd. chef's kiss
As a former music prof and still current player, I appreciate what you've done here - you're making meaning of Jeff Beck's music lifetime. Giving it organization and your passion. You're dead on about Beck being the first rock guitarist - great insight on that and his periods. Always been my favorite - RIP Jeff Beck. Thanks - great job!!!
Andy I think you absolutely ‘nailed it’, unlike the guitar players of that time, Jeff was not primarily influenced by the blues or jazz and
your argument that he was the first truly rock guitarist stands. Lovely tribute to someone who really was unique. Having said all that when you hear Jeff supporting Beth Hart you quickly realise what a fine blues player he was.
Just a minor correction. Jeff was with the Yardbirds for 20 months not 10. During this period Jeff's influence was paramount to guitar based groups.
Everyone was influenced by the GOAT Mr. Jeff BECK and still is a unique guitarist.R.I.P. Jeff😢
Thank you for this utterly heartfelt description. Like a lot of people I posted a video on bookface when I heard that the great man had passed. Blue Wind with Jan at the Hollywood Bowl. That original live album remains in my top ten and I don’t care what the critics said! RIP Jeff.
Super tribute, with inciteful comments … Wired, There And Back and Guitar Shop are the top three for me. So grateful I saw him live in 1981. He was a totally down-to-earth genius, who at 78 never grew old. And he built hot-rods. R.I.P. Guv’nor
The guitar solo at the end of ‘Ambitious’ is staggering. Absolutely blew me away when I first heard it.
Great tribute! Thanks, Andy.
I agree! Killer Solo on "ambitious"! In fact, I really like the album "Flash". Fun 80s album!
@@naderzekrya5238 Me too, I must admit.
I'm very pleased to get into the nooks and crannies of Beck's career on this one...
His soloing on 'Get's Us All In The End' is also phenomenal !
@@naderzekrya5238 Yes, it usually gets ignored when talking about an overview of Jeff's career but I really enjoy the 'Flash' album and it certainly contains phenomenal playing from Jeff even if it isn't considered to be one of his important artistic statements.
Jeff was born during the Second World War like so many great innovators of Rock. That would make a good topic for a video. Rockers born during WWll Great channel Andy !
Blow by Blow and Wired are two of my all-time favourite albums RIP Jeff
Andy,Thanks again,this is the best longISH Podcast I heard on Jeff Beck! After his last show 11-12-2022 @Reno,NV I went to the airport 3:45am and talked with his Soundman,we both agreed he's playing better than ever!!! ... I did photography for Jeff Beck Live+CD, I also, photographed Narada Micheal Walden as well, I went to Tarpan Studios,his NMW Band Shows we always got to talking about Jeff Beck,he played a big part of and on in Narads's life,and there was an undeniable chemistry!
I do think that Jeff’s last few albums have some great beauty. His ability to break your heart in the way that he played instrumental ballads like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” or “A Day in the Life” was inspiring. I love his Angel (Footsteps) and Nadia.
A great critique of a Great Musician, Jeff Beck. Born about 6-7 (1951) years after Jeff Beck, I was taken by Yardbirds music. I have owned most Jeff Beck albums and worn many out. I saw him in 1974 with Beck, Bogert and Appice; then 2002 Jeff Beck, Terry Bozzio,& Tony Hymas Guitar Shop era. I was sad with Jeff's death but also glad that his illness was brief.
I feel your pain, Andy. Beautiful tribute. Thanks as always.
My pleasure
Very well done and many thanks to you. I'm writing this on April 8 and still haven't fully grasped his passing. He was made of stuff unimaginable to think would ever end. That's crazy but so is this...for me it's hard to envision the skill possessed by this man is lying dormant - never to re-emerge. All gone. Somehow that's just wrong. ..... Lost my marbles on this one.
Anyway I'm a guitarist with same last name - always have been proud to share that with him. Incidentally, one album I think you should definitely purchase is "Emotion & Commotion." It's beautiful and worth owning. Thank you again.
Jeff Beck was, is, and will always be the best. My greatest influence, so much so, that I’ve been playing his music for over 4 decades. “Jody”, from Rough’n’Ready, is one of his best songs, in my opinion. That album is so underrated that it’s hardly ever mentioned. Thanks for giving it a plug. The guitar melody that takes off on the upbeat section dances on the stars and is trademark Beck. Thank you for your wonderful tribute; it is spot on. Jeff’s style is exquisitely unique, genuinously innovative, and absolutely amazing, marvelously beautiful, rough rocking raw, and simply one of one. May The music of Geoffrey (Gregory (?) Arnold Beck, The Master Melody Maker Of Guitar, live in our hearts, minds, and souls forever. As he plays with the Angels in the ethereals, I will continue to play his music as a continual dedicated tribute to him. Thank you, and Thank You, Jeff. 🛐🎸💔🙏🏼
In all the years of reading comments about my beloved Jeff Beck I have never come across a comment such as yours. Rough and Ready is my favourite release in his discography and of the 1970s. An under recognised gem , of which he wrote most of the tunes. The band was fantastic, Cozy, Max, Bob Tench vocals. The orange album produced by Steve Cropper had some many excellent tone and sounds. Thanks for your comment. I’m still
pissy about his passing. Saw him last October 2022 in NY.
Some good insights here. The received wisdom on rock guitar has minimised, and progressively minimises, Beck’s importance in the 60s. The same is starting to happen to Clapton’s contribution as time passes, too. People forget that the whole future of rock music pulls together and generates out of a very small scene in London where everything coalesced in just the right way at the right moment. Hendrix wouldn’t have happened without being in London. No difference in what he’s doing two months earlier in the US, just the right frame and audience needed. Beck, interviewed years later, noted that Jimi had a performing persona that no “uptight Englishman” could manage at that point. The idea of Jimi was needed and is still needed in the history we have decided on. What gets lost in there is the greatest RnB rhythm guitarist of the time as well as someone who builds on what Beck and Syd Barrett suggested could be done with the guitar as a new timbre generating sonic tool. Beck from the beginning focused on the guitar as a voice; nuanced, expressive, guttural, cadenced, rhythmic, dynamic, but above all melodic and lyrical. Technique can be astonishing but never gets in the way of the expressive content. What he plays is the most consistently unmediated guitar playing in rock. Others copy or develop the mechanics of the media he suggests, but they focus on it to the detriment of, and as a substitute for the content. God, what a loss.
Refreshing to watch something like this where the presenter isnt pushing his book every 5 minutes 😎
Thank you, it’s a great tribute for Jeff Beck … I loved all the details and your views. I did see him live in June 2022 and had his Blow By Blow and Wired from back in the day (and Journey to Love Stanley Clarke) but didn’t keep track of him in between. So sad about this sad news ❤RIP Jeff Beck 🎶🙏🙏🙏
Blow By Blow and Wired are absolutely two of my favourite ever albums
Thank you Andy! 👍🤛❤️
Great tribute Andy.
I've been reflecting on his impact on me over the last 55 years and while he's never been what I would have called a number 1 favourite he's always been there and I've always enjoyed what he did. I steadily built up my collection of his albums though I didnt get Blow by Blow, Wired , Jan Hammer live and There and Back until I discovered fusion in the early 2000s but they are my go to Beck albums now.
There was just one minor omission from your history, just rior to recording Blow by Blow he produced and played on some of the tracks on the band UPP's debut album and he can be seen doing She's a Woman with them on UA-cam.
Martin Power also wrote a really good biography of him - my paperback version is dated 2014 - that lists some of his notable session work.
Made it gladly through the whole thing Andy. Loved the passion! Beck brought Indian Raga on Heartful of Soul, Psychedelia on Over Under Sideways Down and Holy Crap! Chicken scratch on I’m a Man. And he kept on being true to himself ever after. Great tribute!
That was, indeed, an epic tribute, Andy. Thank you so much. I saw you talk very highly of Jeff on prevous videos and I had promised myself I would see him - for the first time - on his next UK tour. Alas, it's never to be. One thought I had after watching your fantastic eulogy: I wonder how Jimi's lifetime achievements would have stacked up had he lived for another 50 years. We can only be grateful that, in a profession where living fast and dying young (and getting your blue plaque) is not uncommon, we could enjoy Jeff's genius for as long as we did.
if he had only made Wired he would still be the greatest. RIP great man
Hmm, here's something I thought I had already written on this video, but I don't see it here. Maybe I wrote it on some other video, but if so then it's worth repeating here. At about the same time Jeff was working on _"Blow by Blow"_ and _"Wired",_ he was also producing a jazz-fusion-ish band called "Upp" (sic). People might want to check it out. I just learned of this band a few weeks ago, so I haven't yet had the time to check them out for myself.
That was epic! Thank you. Long time JB fan from Chicago.
This was an honest and beautiful tribute to Jeff Beck. Indeed we have lost a great artist of which the impact will not be completely felt for years to come. Thank you for doing this.
Epic and beautiful tribute. My older brother bought Truth back in 1969. I was gobsmacked by Beck's Bolero then, and I still am when I play it today, and that was just the beginning.
Thanks for this. You did a good job and summed up how I felt.
It was a shock
I was too young for The Yardbirds,it was the Wired album that made me a fan.
Jeff never seemed to just chase the money.
All of the bands you mentioned,along with the Faces and The Who,were all my heroes.
He could have joined The Stones,maybe even Pink Floyd!
Deep Purple were also a possibility.
They were,and remain my favourite group.
Thank you, Mr Beck, for just being Jeff.
Jeff Beck is my number one favourite guitar, such an inspiration. Amazingly, I've ended living down the road from where grow-up. But that's related to my job, rather than, actively seeking it. Wired is massively underrated, it was my intro to Jeff, followed by the Orange album. I remember that Alexis Korner did a radio series on the greatest guitarist players. It was the first time I heard Jeff speak. I still have on cassette tape somewhere. Great tribute, what feel, what ears and most importantly what groove.
A tribute worthy of Jeff Beck
First song I heard by Jeff, Rice Pudding on the local University radio station when it first came out. Been a fan since.
When I first heard Jeff (1969?) I knew he was different….He seems to have a playful always pushing and experimenting….he was and is the best ever.
Very informed and detailed Beck history. Very engaging
King of the Strat!
That really was epic so congratulations on a job well done. Personally I’d have started with (or at least mentioned) “Over Under Sideways Down” an equal but tad earlier innovation. I am so lucky to have seen him, only the once. His rendition of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” remains the most breathless thing I have ever heard live. Jeff’s favourite solo was “Stone Free”, he confessed that it didn’t matter what he was doing when that came on his attention was immediately captured by it. Exactly the same for me one “something stupid” comes on the radio. Lucky they don’t play “Becks Bolero” on the radio else I’d be long gone myself. The greatest and most other worldly guitar sound ever created. Great video Andy
thank you!
I saw JB live in 1965 when he had just joined the Yardbirds. I was already a huge Yardbirds fan with Eric Clapton and the 'Five Live Yardbirds' album, but Jeff was just something else. He was using feedback and creating the most amazing sounds even then. A true rock innovator.
Thanks Andy for a great tribute. What you said towards the end resonated with me - without Jeff opening doors (esp the jazz rock era) chances are I would "get stuck" with classic rock & blues. Now I have all that and much much more. In the later years I really love his work with Vinnie and Tal - what musicians! Thank you Jeff!
Cozy Carmine Narada Simon Terry Vinnie...
This was just amazing !
RIP Jeff Beck ... We will miss the guy a lot ...
Thank you for this great tribute.
Greetings from Germany, CLUB OF THE UNCENSORED POETS
This vid is amazing and greatly appreciated by your community. I am totally with you. Wired will always be my fave, an epic in the guitar fusion genre. RIP Jeff
Thanks for the video. Yes, I would like to hear about the sessions Jeff Beck did during the 1977-80 period you mentioned.
Thanks, Andy - fantastic.
I purchased Blow By Blow back in 1975 when it came out. Still listen to it to this day. Cause We've Ended As Lovers, for me, is a masterclass on guitar playing. I say this as a drummer. To say Jeff nailed it is an understatement. The whole album is perfection. And a teen-aged Richard Bailey on drums, WOW!! He played beyond his years. Sheer excellence. As for Cobham's Spectrum album, another perfect album. Bolin was on fire. Sometimes I wonder what Gary Moore would have done if he played on that album.
Excellent video!
Check out Back on The Streets...there is fusion on there that points in that direction
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer yes, I have Back On The Streets. I just wonder what Gary would have done if Cobham hired him instead of Tommy. How different the performance would have been. Just a thought. I am very happy with what Tommy did.
In addition to all that you mentioned, I love the "Live At Ronnie Scott's" video. Just being able to see him play is a treat. A great band with Tal, Jason and Vinnie C.
The low reviewers of Jeff Beck Live With The Jan Hammer Group have no idea what they're talking about. It's a thrilling record with incendiary soloing from Jeff and Jan. It's awesome.
Truly. Don't miss it.
You just talked Out of my soul mate. 😢 RIP Jeff Beck ❤
“Then go see Rick Beato he’s waiting there for you” lmao 🤣 love your channel Andy !✌️❤️🎵
Always under appreciated and constantly moving forward from The Tridents to the end. McLaughlin really inspired Jeff to move beyond his past. Live With Jan Hammer is phenomenal - great to see it expanded.
Jeff's passing hit me harder than I would have thought possible. Like you, like most fans, I just assumed he'd be around forever, putting out another album once in a blue moon, guesting on a track or two by some young up-and-comer, and playing on stage as a tribute to some artist who had just passed away.
Like you, I love the first couple of phases of Jeff's work (especially Yardbirds, the first couple of Jeff Beck Groups and, of course, those beautiful instrumental albums produced by George Martin). I should delve a little deeper into his later albums and collaborations. Perhaps you'll grace us with such a review at some future date.
Thanks for posting this, Andy.
Thanks Andy. This is the best tribute and most in-depth I have heard! Jeff deserved this!
Brilliant tribute Andy
We all could have a bit more love and joy and positivity in our lives.
So so sad with the loss of Jeff Beck.
I felt like he would be here forever.
Tony Hymas does more songs on 'There & Back' then Jan Hammer... Tony Hymas was his 2nd longest Band member next to Rhonda Smith...BTW, the '18' has some of Jeff best guitar work,please listen to it,give it a chance...IMHO,'Who Else' & Emotion Commotion' are ahead of 'Guitar Shop.. ...'Great post Andy,condolences to all Jeff's fans worldwide,his family, and his lovely wife Sandra.Jeff was such a great person,will be missed,and studied 100 years from now!
Agreed Who Else is an amazing album - it took me a few listens before I realised its greatness!
I like Who Else a lot, thye best of that run of electronica influenced albums. But there is a shift in his playing on Guitar Shop which i think is important to mention.
Also,interesting Jeff's shift to woman in his band... Jennifer Batten, All the great Woman Vocalist's collaborations,TAL Wilkenfeld,then RHONDA SMITH leaving Prince's band to Jeff's,then also Lizzie Ball, Vannessa Freebain-Smith,then Anika Niles on Drums on the final Tour,Jeff was championing the women who enjoyed working with in a band! Needs toi be mentioned...You really provided a great Podcast my friend@@AndyEdwardsDrummer
@@deanoppergoalieclinics834 Still lovin the ladies in his seventies...true rock icon!
Great review, thank you. It seems I’ve lived with Jeff Beck music all my life. For me from Blow by Blow right thru to 18 which I love btw. Always moving forward always dipping into unexpected pools but always making classic tracks his own. Striving for perfection all the time which is never easily won but so so worth it. Thank you Mr Beck.
Yup, Journey to lLove. had those two great albums about to check out the live album.
Thanks Andy, your love for and appreciation of Jeff is infectious, and you've greatly broadened my knowledge of his work. Cheers, Ian
My pleasure!
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Listening to 'Wired' last night, and just the amount of detail, from delicate to visceral, in 'Goodbye Pork Pie Hat' alone is astonishing, and very moving too: a move between two carefully chosen notes can have me in tears, seriously (I'm a sucker for that).
Well done Andy!! I am surprised you didn't mention the Live At Ronnie's album/DVD which was as jazz fusion as you can get.....Stratus and Eternity's Breath with the perfect band....Vinnie, Tal and Jason. All his skills are on display here....mindblowing!!!
Absolutely beautiful music I agree with you about this Ronnie Scott's recording
Andy, Jeff Beck was the one and only I followed him everywhere 10times to England. I saw everyone,they'll never be another Jeff... I was @ Craig Kilbourn Show,Jay Leno,entire 3 Day Retrospective, 5 Day Ronnie Scott's Residency(it was 6 Shows),R&RHall Of Fame,50th Year Anniversay Show @ Hollywood Bowl,Jeff & Rod Stewart Reunion Show @Hollywood Bowl,(BTW,I saw Allan Holdswoth show at the Jazz Cafe the night before,Jeff 5 Day Residency.(Allan Holdswoth said he'd be @Jeff's shows if he wansn't tied up with Studio work,said he loved Jeff's work!),Pattie Smith's Meltdown,and some entire US Tour over 150+ concerts, Last tour I went to 14 shows leading to his final show 11-12-2022@RENO,NV... I left in the morning 3:45am going to the airport and we both agreed he was playing better than ever! I got to know Jeff and his lovely wife Sandra,I am sending my condolences... Lastly, John McLaughlin told me Jeff was his favorite Guitar player.Jeff toid me John McLaughlin was the best,but that other's are also the best at what they do!
Very cool, Dean, best to you! RIP Jeff, what an amazing career.
He was a humble gentleman with an axe and a wrench.
Yowza...I flew out to LA from NYC area to go to Hollywood Bowl Sept 2019 for the Rod/Jeff reunion. You take the prize for the most concerts...incredible. I last saw him 10/15/2022 in Huntington, LI, NY...but I could not tolerate Depp. I thought Jeff looked emaciated thin...
Wow!
Jeff did not look emaciated,very similar to every other time I saw him,I was backstage,spoke to him,he looked great. Beyond that,Jeff was playing at an incredible level this last tour. Do understand that 13 of the 20 songs were without Depp. On on the Depp songs he was taking some incredible solos. No disrespect,but I think a lot of people didn't listen to the album '18' Jeff is playing incredibly well on it! I went to 14 shows. And me and his Soundman agreed that he was playing better than ever! Anyway no argument here respect and condolences to all fans, I am gutted...@@sealisa1398
@@deanoppergoalieclinics834 I thought he looked quite thin, yes, he only had a few tunes with Depp at end of the set. JD added nothing to the night. My opinion… sounds like you’re in with the in crowd. Just a mortal soul myself with my own observations. We all grieve in our own ways…feeling a great loss, loved looking forward to attending his live performances. Sail on sailor, RIP Jeff.
That was a wonderful tour through Jeff's amazing career. Thank you Andy for doing this and devoting more than an hour to this gifted genius. I agree with everything you so eloquently stated regarding his work up to Guitar Shop. Unfortunately, his latter albums always seem to get missed or glossed over by almost everyone, yet these are some of his greatest work - IMHO! Brush with the Blues, Blast From the East, Psycho Sam, Earth Quake, Angel Footsteps, Even Odds, Nadia, LOOSE CANNON! Another great is JB Blues (where his guitar seems to cycle between bouts of insanity and peace). Can't forget Blackbird (where he actually sounds like he's interacting with blackbirds outside - nailing their chirp - WOW - who else does that)? Rolling and Tumbling, Suspension, Hot Rod Honeymoon, Seasons, Plan B, Grease Monkey, Why Lord Oh Why? Never Alone, Serene, and on...Oh Yeah...Scared For the Children. Even more amazing is that he was still going strong and touring until last month. None of his colleagues can say the same (who of course are legends in their own right). Life is filled with strange anomalies and this trifecta of rock happening when and where it did is one of them - the ripples continue until today! Interestingly, Beck seemed to be like a bridge...between Clapton's and Page's Yardbirds...Clapton's sophisticated blues and Jimmy's dirty blues (hard rock). I love that Beck was friends with both; I am not sure if Clapton and Page consider themselves as friends (they seem so opposite)?
Yes Andy Great tribute
Geoff was one of the most important guitarist in the world.
I recently discovered Beck’s electronic albums from the late 90’s and early 00’s - really surprising stuff, in a good way.
Saw Beck in 80' on the There & Back tour( unfortunately without Jan Hammer who I was really hoping to see also) & near the end of his last one in November.My lady friend a tall leggy blonde who wanted to try to get us backstage & if anyone could've it'd been her but I didn't want to take even the smallest chance of bothering Beck,moody cat that he was.The next day we heard there was a big party backstage & Jimmy Page & Brian May made an appearance but I saw already the only guitar player I wanted to see.You will be sorely missed sir.
That BBA live version of Superstition is an absolute MONSTER. It’s so different from Stevie Wonder’s, they shouldn’t be compared to each other. At LEAST as heavy an instrumental trio as Cream or Zeppelin, but with WAY more groove - call it Heavy Metal R & B.
I just became acquainted with your channel today. I was born in 1966 so I really didn't become familiar with Jeff until the early 80s and, believe it or not, it was primarily due to Box of Frogs (basically The Yardbirds sans the deceased Keith Relf with John Fiddler on vocals and with 4 or so guest guitar solo players across the tracks). Beck's 4 tracks really pricked up my ears and I went into a career deep dive afterwards and discovered his prior solo albums and his work with The Yardbirds.
I became a big fan and he became my all-time favorite guitarist mainly due to the JBG I albums and his Fusion albums. As his career continued and he was making his second or third "big return" in 1999 with "Who Else!", I decided to set up a Yahoo Group called The Jeff Beck Appreciation Society. It was a rather fun time and some of the members even put together 2 CDs of Beck-inspired music or covers of his songs for us to share. Eventually, Yahoo Groups shut down, so I was asked by the Jeff Beck Facebook group owner to be a moderator there. So I still keep my participation in JB community very active.
I saw first saw Beck on the "Who Else!" tour with Jennifer Batten providing her tapping/electro guitar skills as well. I saw him 3 more times in the intervening years and the last concert I saw was in 2018 with Vinnie Colauita (d), Rhonda Smith (b), Jason Rebello (k), with Jimmy Hall (v). That was actually my favorite live show of his since he, Rhonda and Vinnie were like unstoppable, yet beautiful, bulldozers of sound on that night!
I found Jeff to be an extraordinary musical explorer as you said he kept finding new styles of music to try out throughout his career. That is a reason why I love the Robert Plant albums as well since Plant refused to be pigeon-holed into remaking Led Zeppelin every time. There's just too many great sounds in the world to stay in a single style and Jeff instinctively knew that.
Sorry for the novel-length response. Thanks for the great tribute video to the amazing Jeff Beck!
"How could he have died?"
Excellent question.
Thanks for making this.
JT
Jeff Beck is EPIC (and some ATCO too). It is sad when one of our heroes die.
Thank you for doing this.
Jeff grabbed our attention on his first single with the Yardbirds, 'Heart Full of Soul' in early '65, which opened with his edgey sounding guitar riff. 'Evil Hearted You' was next and it too was a winner. But as you suggest, 'Shapes of Things' (and then 'Over Under Sideways Down', on which Beck also played bass) was the start of the ridiculously creative guitarring that would thrust Jeff into a stratosphere that no-one else has ever come close to entering. Some folk will argue that Hendrix was the guitarist I describe Jeff as being, but no. Hendrix was a more complete package as an entertainer, yes. But as a guitarist, a player, not just a sound sculptor, Beck ruled.
As for Page, he had been invited to join the yardbirds on two occasions before suggesting Beck.
The venue in 'Blow Up' was modelled to look like the Ricky Tick in Windsor and the audience was instructed to look numb and indifferent as the band mimed to 'Stroll On'. Jeff's guitar was a cheap Italian one, provided to him for the scene as he didn't want to damage his recently acquired Les Paul. The only reason he smashed it up was is because the movie's producer, Antonioni, originally wanted the Who, who were renowned for their smash ups. When Who manager kit Lambert mentioned this to the Yardbirds' manager at the time, Simon Napier-Bell, the latter suggested Lambert ask for the ridiculously high fee of £10,000. When Antonioni rejected that, Napier-Bell offered the Yardbirds at an acceptable price and got the gig. Ironically Jeff, frustrated by the Yardbirds' tour schedule, would smash up his Les Paul in a dressing room in America before walking out, leaving Page to handle all the guitar parts. Fed up by Beck's mercurial behaviour, the band fired him.
The 'Beck's Bolero' session was May '66, not March. It was originally released in '67, though as the B-side of cheesey pop single 'Hi Ho Silver Lining', which means Jeff fans didn't hear it at the time, only hearing it on 'Truth', which as you indicate was two years after the fact and so lost any opportunity to be the history maker it would have been.
Yes, 'Beck-Ola' is great. 'Truth' had some great tunes but wasn't a great album, IMO. 'Beck-Ola' was more cohesive. It was also heavy rock versus heavy blues, so he was moving on from the late 60s heavy blues rock cliche that he had created - .
I believe Beck's auto smash happened the evening prior to him flying to America to join Tim and Carmine. The anticipation was that Rod Stewart would be the singer, though Rod apparently wasn't quite so committed to the idea.
Bobby Tench was the singer with the MKII lineup. He is also a tremendous guitarist. Check him out on UA-cam, videos of him at the Bull's Head in Barnes, south London. And listen on UA-cam to the MKII band playing London's Paris Theatre.
Worth mentioning that one of Beck's heroes, guitarist/songwriter Steve Cropper of Booker T & the MGs, produced the 'Orange' album. Cropper said he couldn't believe what Beck was playing - he was totally knocked out. Yet while 'Rough & Ready', supposedly produced by Beck (there were disputes over who did and wrote what) was a good and consistent album, the 'Orange' album, while containing some fine tunes lacked consistency.
Beck had apparently never heard the Mingus version of 'Goodbye Pork Pie Hat'. He got into the song after hearing Max Middleton running through some chords on his piano, asked him what the tune was, and then wanted to try them it guitar.
Beck's big complaint with 'Flash' was that Nile Rogers was tied up producing Diana Ross's latest album (which also included Jeff) and so there was no opportunity to develop the album. As for 'People Get Ready', Carmine got Jeff and Rod together when they all happened to be staying at a hotel in Australia. I believe Carmine selected the tune (he sang it with the Fudge) and keyboardist Duane Hitchings came up with the riff Jeff would play on the record. But neither got mention in the credits other than 'Thanks to da boys' or something similar.
Yes, 'Guitar Shop' was monumental is so many senses. Live - there are a couple concert clips on UA-cam - Jeff, Terry and Tony were ridiculous.
It is too bad you stopped getting Jeff albums after 'Who Else?'. The next one, 'You Had It Coming' is very good. Its followup, 'Jeff' is too diverse for its own good, though listen to the two solos in this tune. IMO, some of his very best playing ever.
Here it is: ua-cam.com/video/5py1nmJxXJ0/v-deo.html
Been a yardbirds fan for over 40 years. Rip Jeff a guitar genius.
A passionate tribute to a passionate champion of the electric guitar
Great tribute and especially keen to see the appreciation of Guitar Shop - went to the London gig to see Bozzio and as a press review said next day "A Nuclear power station in meltdown' he was ferocious . Whole trio awesome of course . Wired and There and Back other favourites . Loved Simon's Space Boogie
Thank you Andy for an excellent summation of the innovation of Jeff Beck to Rock/Jazz fusion. His and his collaborations are often overlooked. I agree Jan Hammer and Staley Clarke is/are 'the man'; so the intersections with Jeff are inspirational.
I’ve watched a few Beck tributes and yours is one of the best. A passionate homage to one of the true guitar trailblazers. 👏
Notable observation: Jeff was very much a temperamental guy to work with in his teens and 20's (and 30's?). But when you watch all the musicians who talk about him over the past few days, note how many thank him for what a great guy he had been to their careers. I think Jeff sincerely liked to showcase other musicians - just as long as no one tried to tell *him* what to do. 😊
Jeff Beck was really my intro to the Fusion scene (which expanded my ears for Prog, and therefore Jazz). A couple of points that support what you were saying about his near constant innovation but that you didn't have time or experience to showcase - he continued lifting people up and into his level, passing on the tradition of influence.
On "Nadia" by Nitin Sawhney, he was struck by the beauty of the piece and took it up in a serious way. On the album 'You Had It Coming' he got imogen Heap in to sing/vocalize a couple of songs, including "Rollin' & Tumblin' after meeting her at a songwriting camp and later recording some guitar on her second album. That association was strong enough to bring her back for the famous "Live At Ronnie Scott's" DVD, and along with the great Vinnie Colaiuta, Tal Wilkenfeld, Jason Rebello, and with an additional vocal cameo of Joss Stone. That series of live sets are among the best live recordings of some of his best work of his career, and featured his generosity and humility in pointing to the future for those great young players.
His passing was crushing, but his legacy was long and strong. Thanks for reinforcing some historical points I was weak on. Cheers! :)
Fantastic tribute! Thanks for mentioning Roy Buchanan, a phenomenal unappreciated talent from our neck o' the woods (Wash DC suburbs). Check out Roy's live version of Hey Joe.
Absolutely lovely, and most moving, thank you! Personally, I've always loved Wired best 😊 I frigg'n *LOVE* Jan Hammer! I have the Analog Productions 2-45 LP set and it sounds bloody divine! I also really dig the Beck & Hammer Live album, beautiful! Spectrum is stunning too! There and Back 👍 I have all of these on OG vinyl. As far as I'm concerned (unlike many other 'older' guitarists) he only got better as time went on with Jeff Beck's Guitar Shop and Loud Hailer, both on OG vinyl, just fantastic!
Remember seeing various interviews with Beck where he said that the whole jazz fusion thing on Blow by Blow and Wired, was a "bit of a mistake ". That's the way he saw it in retrospect. Great jazz-influenced sense of melody though, great touch, and a mechanical fascination and sense of technical trickery. Would have been a great guitar tech.
I think the person who really nails it as to why Beck wasnt more of a household name is Tim Pierce: Basically Jeff never had huge song that blew the world away, that people can remember anyway, "Tthere was no Stairway". He also never played the game, hated the media side, even when being pushed to do it by record companies. He just never sold out, even for a short period, a very honourable man.
Also, has anyone noticed - sh*t, there's a lot of people suddenly and unexpectedly dying at the moment! or is that just me. 🤔
The only time I saw Jeff Beck live was when he toured with The Jan Hammer Group. Amazing!
I'm in general agreement with your overview, well done. I bought the Yardbirds' Shapes of Things single in 1966 when I was 12 years old. It was a great ride.
Great summary of a complex and varied career. I’d never heard the Woodstock spite story - I chuckled when I heard that. I hope there is a similar story behind the second Woodstock concert
For me Jeff made some of his greatest recordings in the last 20 years. Check out "Ronnie Scott" or "Emotion & Commotion". Absolutely brilliant.
I love the Ronnies disc, a career highlight. I may do a part 2 and start with Whos Next
Yes, I think Jeff peaked in the 21st century. I love his playing in the Mike Figgis docu "Red, White & Blues", the "Live At Ronnie Scott's" and "Jeff Beck Rock N' Roll Party" concert DVDs and also the "Loud Hailer" album, which isn't only about the guitar playing, but has songs with strong messages, powerful singing and a very modern production.
Well done, Andy. Thank you for this.
I believe Jeff’s tenure in the Yardbirds was more like 20 months, not 10, but I could be wrong.
Thank you very much for doing this Andy. I still haven't recovered from the deep sadness. Been listening to Jeff all my life, part of me has gone. Bravo e ciao😊
Hello Andy thanks a lot for this video!
But you should go listen to
“You had it coming” and “Jeff”.
There’s amazing stuff there, I love the techno Trilogy:
Who Else
You had it coming
Jeff
Thanks for you smart considerations about Jeff’s music.
Agree Wired better than Blow. Loved the descriptions.
I was obsessed with Blow by Blow when it came out and went to see him live with the Jan Hammer Group which was simply astonishing.
I didn't discover Blow By Blow until the late 80s when I decided to rent it from my local CD library and I also became obsessed !
@@TheHumbuckerboy - In the late 70's I was working at a music store. I was 17 and the older staff (pro musos) would turn me on to wonderful music.
@@camerontaylor1255 It would have been a great help to me to have had someone recommend Jeff. I had been listening to Jimi, Eric and Jimmy and others for years but Jeff's profile in the UK wasn't as high so I decided to just check him out. I couldn't believe what I had been missing ( having played guitar myself for several years at this stage) .
Thank you. Your two video's have been much appreciated.
You are very welcome
Blow by blow
Wired
To me was the pinnacle of his career
I agree ... two of my favourite ever albums
A wealth of information!!! Thank you, Andy.
Glad you enjoyed it!
My first introduction to Jeff Beck was via the Journey to Love album by Clarke. I was listening to Jaco and Clarke because I was playing bass guitar in our school jazz band. This was a gateway into other music such as prog and funk as well.
Great episode Andy. I`m not one to watch videos of people talking about the death of my favorite musicians. And it took me a few weeks to watch this one. Jeff Beck`s passing is hard for me. And I can easily tell it was hard for you. I can comment on all your points but I think I`ll just mention the great Jeff Beck with the Jan Hammer Group Live. When I hear this album back in the day it blew my mind. I couldn`t believe what I was hearing. Was this guitar or a spaceship landing on my turntable? I quickly grew up and studied musicians after this record. Particularly drummers and guitarists. This album has sent me on a long and complicated journey across many music genres and stylists. And of course Jeff Beck is the King. The greatest rock guitarist, yes. But also the greatest ambassador of music to me.
This is a great point. That album seems forgotten too but it's a really great example of Jeff's guitar playing as he has a chance to stretch out with a band of his equals...
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer I have a vinyl copy of Live at Ronnie Scott`s . The DVD is amazing . And to have it on vinyl is a treasure