If you play guitar, you MUST rent or buy the DVD "Performing This Week...Live At Ronnie Scotts" by Jeff Beck. It's been on our Netflix queue for a looong time (the Netflix comment is "long wait"). It was worth the wait and then some.
Jeff plays with a very capable quartet: Jeff Beck on guitar; Jason Rebello on keyboards; Tal Wilkenfeld on bass; Vinnie Colaiuta on drums; with guest artists: Josh Stone, Imogen Heap, and Eric Clapton.
The music is a mix of rock, jazz fusion, blues, and reggae and unlike so many videos, the camera focuses on the masters hands much of the time - up close and personal. Hearing his virtuoso playing is enhanced by watching his hands generate the variety of sounds he coaxes out of his Strat. It's over 2 hours of jaw-dropping amazement.
I've got to learn to play without a pick. The variety of sounds available to bare fingers is just too great to pass up.
I've always enjoyed Jeff's playing, but after this my opinion of Jeff has been elevated to one of the world's greatest rock/fusion guitarists. In his soloing with Eric on a couple of blues songs, the difference between the two masters is astounding. Jeff is head and shoulders above EC, and as we all know, EC is fantastic in his own right.
I could go on and on, but my writing skills could not do this DVD justice.
All I can say is that you absolutely, positively HAVE to watch this video.
Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton
Owner, Norton Music http://www.nortonmusic.com Add-on Styles for Band-in-a-Box and Microsoft SongSmith
The Sophisticats http://www.s-cats.com >^. .^< >^. .^<
Beck is always at the top of my lists. here are youtube links to some of the tunes from that performance:
Good Bye Porkpie Hat (Beck's interpretation of the famous Mingus piece -- a fave of mine):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3y61-WSuwQ
Angel (Footsteps): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbhngojbrzQ
People Get Ready (with Joss Stone): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7ECdYboOVA&feature=related
You Need Love (w/ Clapton) and Where Were You : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcEQlWcYS_4&feature=related
A Day in a Life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPBqk-0gWfQ&feature=related
-=tension & release=-
I'm not one to brag or anything, but...
I HAVE TICKETS TO SEE HIM IN MANCHESTER!!!!
AND I SAW ALL NIGHTS OF HIS ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL CAREER RETROSPECTIVE BACK IN 2003! I EVEN HAVE THE T-SHIRT!
And I've just used up my 2009 quota of capitalisations.
I've never really been into Jeff Beck. I did used to own his Truth album, and liked that. Maybe I'll have to check out the DVD.
"The only way I know that guarantees no mistakes is not to play and that's simply not an option". David Hodge
Its been on the LOOOONG wait list on my netflix queue for weeks now.
It's worth the wait.
We waited a couple of months for it, and we liked it so much, we ended up buying a copy.
Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton
Owner, Norton Music http://www.nortonmusic.com Add-on Styles for Band-in-a-Box and Microsoft SongSmith
The Sophisticats http://www.s-cats.com >^. .^< >^. .^<
Notes, I agree! It is an incredible DVD: a great concert and a very good (and funny) interview to Jeff Beck. I purchased it one or two months ago, I don't remember exactly, when it was available here.
And I'd add: if you play bass, you must rent or buy the DVD also. Tal Wilkenfeld is awesome!
I fully agree, just checked it out as well. What a fantastic quality, you almost feel you're there. Amazing playing, Jeff's technique is absolutely astounding, especially his use of the whammy bar. Highly recommended!
have had it a few months now.play it whenever I get the chance.what the man does with a Strat is outstanding and without a pick.grew up on him and Clapton.
Heroes Don't wear capes.They wear Dog tags
Ive seen bits and pieses of it, and ya, its pretty awesome!! I can not say I am a huge fan... I will say he is one of the best playes though!!! Just not my style realy. He is amazing in the sounds he does get out of that guitar, and NOONE can work the wammy like him!!!!!!
Paul B
Whether or not the music is your particular favorite, or even if you don't like Jeff's music, you owe it to yourself to watch it. The technique alone is jaw-dropping.
Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton
Owner, Norton Music http://www.nortonmusic.com Add-on Styles for Band-in-a-Box and Microsoft SongSmith
The Sophisticats http://www.s-cats.com >^. .^< >^. .^<
Notes,you must be a mind reader.your statement reflects my thoughts exactly.Thanks for sharing yours too.
Heroes Don't wear capes.They wear Dog tags
Hate to spoil the party....... I don't really like Jeff Beck, I can see he is a great player but every time he uses his whammy bar (which is about 90% of the time these days) I just wish he would give it a rest.
I really liked some of his early stuff though (where he wasn't covering other people's songs) such as the stuff on Wired and blow by blow (though I haven't heard them fully yet but the stuff I heard I like more than present day Beck)
together we stand, divided we fall..........
Hate to spoil the party....... I don't really like Jeff Beck, I can see he is a great player but every time he uses his whammy bar (which is about 90% of the time these days) I just wish he would give it a rest.
I really liked some of his early stuff though (where he wasn't covering other people's songs) such as the stuff on Wired and blow by blow (though I haven't heard them fully yet but the stuff I heard I like more than present day Beck)being In merry old England I can understand people there can or do get too much of a good thing.however for those who never knew about Jeff as well as those just getting on scene with him.IMHO the DVD is spot on(along with the album Truth) although the whammy point is a good one and well taken.for the record I've listed to blow by blow many times since its debut.wired not so much.rest assured blow by blow showcases some of his more credidible(and outstanding) talent.again my opinion.many others also are not to be over looked in the talent deptartment.
Heroes Don't wear capes.They wear Dog tags
To be fair....... it's not that I am sick of hearing him or even hearing about him, but all the new video's I've seen of him I just never really got hit! However David Gilmour is my favourite English guitarist (he really looks up to Beck actually) and unlike Beck - Gilmour always hits me very hard, I just can't get enough of his style.
I guess that's it really, it's a stylistic thing and Jeff Beck's (new) style hasn't really hit me and made me go "wow, incredible".
together we stand, divided we fall..........
