RIP Jeff Beck

[Canard]

I have some memories that probably aren't real either, stemming from dreams, or fantasies that become realities over time.

I can assure you that it is not my memory that is faulty here. My friend did tell me the story.

I will call him this evening and ask him about it.

 

[Rocky]

Beck was never secretive about his gear. From Vox to Univox, to Marshall, Bradshaw racks, tonebenders etc.. What you saw was what you got.

I mean, to sound like him, you'd need to play like him.

 

[Canard]

One of the nicer tribute articles I have read:

Jeff Beck's Curtain Call

Paste Magazine is your source for the best music, movies, TV, comedy, videogames, books, comics, craft beer, politics and more. Discover your favorite albums and films.

www.pastemagazine.com

 

[Westerly Wood]

 

[adorshki]

Oh well I guess it's time to trot out the one that REALLY started "heavy metal", in the original mono (with extended backwards guitar solo ending):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beck's_Bolero



Is that Keith Moon's only vocal ever at 1:38?

Does anybody else think maybe that's the one that inspired Jimi to use a slide for the first time on "All Along the WatchTower" ?

 

[Rocky]

Oh well I guess it's time to trot out the one that REALLY started "heavy metal", in the original mono (with extended backwards guitar solo ending):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beck's_Bolero



Is that Keith Moon's only vocal ever at 1:38?

Does anybody else think maybe that's the one that inspired Jimi to use a slide for the first time on "All Along the WatchTower" ?

That's the first JB track that made an impression on me as a kid, but didn't know who it was at the time.

I've thought the same thing about AAtWT and Beck's Bolero.

 

[adorshki]

I've thought the same thing about AAtWT and Beck's Bolero.

I feel so vindicated!

 

[Westerly Wood]

Oh well I guess it's time to trot out the one that REALLY started "heavy metal", in the original mono (with extended backwards guitar solo ending):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beck's_Bolero



Is that Keith Moon's only vocal ever at 1:38?

Does anybody else think maybe that's the one that inspired Jimi to use a slide for the first time on "All Along the WatchTower" ?

well, probably just me, and I get the significance of it being done in 1966, but I find the beginning soloing a tad annoying and tired. the slide work is pretty cool.

 

[Guildedagain]

Anyway, there's that idea that he wanted to meet Clapton when he got to London

Clapton freaked out and went into a funk after seeing Hendrix play, and I can't blame him. His playing days peaked on the Beano album, besides Cream that happened yet and some super funky groovy and great 70's stuff, and eventual commercial superstardom with Tears from Heaven etc.

My friend did tell me the story.

Of course I wasn't thinking it was your memory that had issues ;]

suspect this is the style that originally sold Chas Chandler on Jimi

Hendrix had endless chops, just needed Marshall amplification, a couple pedals, and a band that could keep up, plus an audience and he got all that at the same time, some fabulous albums, but passed away too soon. The mutual effect between the two cannot be overstated as Beck later channeled Hendrix - Little Wing - in a way that became his signature, for me.

 

[Guildedagain]

One of the nicer tribute articles I have read:

Jeff Beck's Curtain Call

Paste Magazine is your source for the best music, movies, TV, comedy, videogames, books, comics, craft beer, politics and more. Discover your favorite albums and films.

www.pastemagazine.com

Writer is 24, not sure he's cognisant of much beyond Rock history...

"Beck didn’t have an upbringing full of tragedy or perseverance."


Born on June 24, 1944 in London.

Kind of says it all, it is after the Blitz, but still WWII London, with remarkably huge implications of tragedy and perseverance.

Never Forget

 

[twocorgis]

One of my favorites and a perfect example of the “touch” Jeff had. Incredibly haunting, mezmurizing, captivating example of how he could “say” the same simple phrase many different ways. Truly expressive playing.

Was revisiting the "Live at Ronnie Scott's" Blu-Ray yesterday, and the version on that is nothing short of sublime. Having a band like that (with Tal Wilkenfeld) sure doesn't hurt, either.

 

[Westerly Wood]

I also think this is super inventive and is a great example of the supreme, natural command he has of a fender strat...

 

[HeyMikey]

Was revisiting the "Live at Ronnie Scott's" Blu-Ray yesterday, and the version on that is nothing short of sublime. Having a band like that (with Tal Wilkenfeld) sure doesn't hurt, either.

Yes!!!

 

[Uke]

Tasteful.

 

[Canard]

Tasteful.

Tasteful and respectful. A Jeff overlay on Ted Greene, Frisell, and Mingus. Nice.

 

[Guildedagain]

Oh well I guess it's time to trot out the one that REALLY started "heavy metal", in the original mono (with extended backwards guitar solo ending):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beck's_Bolero



Is that Keith Moon's only vocal ever at 1:38?

Does anybody else think maybe that's the one that inspired Jimi to use a slide for the first time on "All Along the WatchTower" ?

Born on June 24, 1944 in London.

Just a minute in I can hear air raid sirens, bombs falling and screaming planes crashing, squeezed backwards notes at the end obviously quite proto Hendrixy, I think Beck will keep blowing my mind until I'm outta here.

An article that acknowledges his being a war baby from the outset, looks like a really good read, enjoy.

The Adventures of Jeff Beck: First Movement

Geoffrey Arnold Beck was a war baby, a term exclusively used for kids born during WWII, I think because of the sheer trauma of the times. He grew up in lower middle class surroundings, his Da an accountant and Ma teaching piano. Jeff was recognized as talented, especially in drawing, but efforts...

www.psaudio.com

 

[Uke]

A Jeff overlay on Ted Greene, Frisell, and Mingus.

Yes! Hadn't thought of it that way.

 

[Canard]

I took out Blow by Blow, which hasn't seen my turntable in decades, cleaned it up, and played it. It was an interesting experience.

I loved that album so very, very much at the time.

I still loved it but less this time, except for Jeff's playing. Take Jeff out and what's left is a sort of MOR Easy Listening Mahavishnu Orchestra, more generally accessible because of its reduced rhythmic and harmonic complexity, less weird. Quite dated sounding. Put Jeff back in and its lovable again.

It was an interesting relationship between McLaughlin and Beck. They toured together at some point, Beck as the headliner, I think. McLauglhin bought Beck a nice Strat as a present. But Jeff sometimes diss'd McLaughlin, calling his tone "cheesy." And yet McLaughlin's influence is very much present on Blow by Blow. I wonder how much the influence went the other way.

Two very different monsters. For tone and control of individual notes and phrasing Beck eats McLaughlin alive. For mastery of complex time, changes, harmony, scales and modes, microtonal (Indian stuff), and just sheer Coltrane-like speed, McLaughlin dwarfs Beck. Apples and oranges.

 

[Guildedagain]

McLaughlin dwarfs Beck

but somehow remains a virtual unknown by comparison. George Benson, "blinding technique", same.

It's because Jazz vs Rock, some music is just a little too cerebral for the unwashed masses.

 

[Guildedagain]

"Beck made full use experimenting with the Binson using his already abusive fretboard styling to add what one critic would call ‘sonic mangling’ and everyone else just thought was surreal and exciting. This was 1964. The Beatles had just reached cult status with “She Loves You Yeah Yeah Yeah” and Hendrix wasn’t due for 3 years."



"Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey remember being stupefied with Beck and The Tridents when they caught them at the Eel Pie Club."

PS I know we're all getting forgetful, so do remember to turn it up - appropriately - through your favorite headphones ;]