Jeff Beck - somewhere over the rainbow

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 12 Jan 2023 4:16 am

What a melodic and textural performance! Beck's concept of the instrument was unique. He pulled sounds out of the guitar that are beyond imitation. This little clip shows his tremendous range and feel for making a song come alive. RIP Jeff Beck. You are irreplaceable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWkgUopbru4

Craig Stock · Post by **Craig Stock** » 12 Jan 2023 5:45 am

Very nice Andy, Thanks.

A few years back I saw Eric Clapton and Jeff at the Garden in NYC it was a great show with an orchestra if I remember correctly. they were both awesome.

This video reminded me of Eric doing 'Moon River' that night which was just fabulous!

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 12 Jan 2023 6:13 am

The first time I heard this on the studio recording, it brought me to tears. It is a fantastic album in general.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 12 Jan 2023 7:58 am

What album is it on, Mike?

This is a fantastic discussion and demonstration of his playing throughout Jeff's career:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcVFK91TXcw

Fred Treece · Post by **Fred Treece** » 12 Jan 2023 8:27 am

Mike Neer wrote:The first time I heard this on the studio recording, it brought me to tears. It is a fantastic album in general.

Same here. Had to play it again to make sure I heard what I thought I heard, and to dry up a little.
Woke up today thinking, Jeff Beck’s gone and I don’t know what to do.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 12 Jan 2023 9:36 am

Studio recording is on Emotion and Commotion from 2010 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWJMlDNFZ6E - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotion_%26_Commotion - a great record. Hammerhead won a 2011 Grammy.

What always did it for me is that his level of emotion and intensity was and is unmatched among guitarists. And no matter the level of intensity and emotion, or how much he rocked out, everything was always totally musical and tasteful. Oh yes, he could bring the flash, but it was never flash for flash's sake.

Nor could I ever detect any stylistic boundaries for him. He would take anything on with total authority. One surprise in the 90s was the Crazy Legs album - a set from Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps. He pretty much ran through the catalog, and especially the guitar playing of Cliff Gallup (who he said was his major influence at the beginning) and Johnny Meeks. He nailed every aspect of this - I'm into rockabilly big-time, and it was remarkable. For his entire life, he totally nailed everything he touched.

One of the most amazing things about Jeff is that I have never been able to detect the slightest diminution of his talent over his entire career, right to the present. I actually think he has gotten better and better, right to the end. I mean, here's a complete show from four months ago at 78 years old - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A36T_RTPJYc - 'nuff said.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 12 Jan 2023 10:02 am

Thanks, Dave! The whole record is on youtube. Astonishing! Nessun Dorma? Really? Beck refused to be pigeonholed as a 60s rock guitarist. He definitely got better and better, seemingly decades younger than so many of his contemporaries

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 12 Jan 2023 10:10 am

Yes to all of the above. You are right, Dave, there was no diminution of talent, just a refinement of it, which is all you could ever ask of the greatest artists.

JG Miller · Post by **JG Miller** » 12 Jan 2023 5:15 pm

Jeff Beck was important enough that Paul Franklin refers to him in his instructional material. That's how much his influence was!