RIP Jeff Beck (1944-2023)

12th January 2023 · 1970s, 1975, 2000s, 2007, Music

I think the only Jeff Beck record in my collection is the single Hi Ho Silver Lining, which does not exactly show the guitarist at his virtuosic best. But this does: an incendiary live performance of a tune from his instrumental album Blow By Blow, recorded at Ronnie Scott’s in 2007.

The sounds he gets from his instrument are astonishing: he really does make his guitar gently weep, as his predecessor in The Yardbirds once did.

Beck is a generous performer too, his delight in his bandmate’s bass solo evident for all to see.

When I was at school people loved to argue about the “best” musicians. Not their favourites – it was more competitive than that.

And while Clapton was literally regarded as God – there was graffiti saying so – there was stiff competition in the guitar category.

Some liked the showier histrionics of Jimmy Page and Ritchie Blackmore, others the jazzier virtuosity of John McLoughlin and Carlos Santana.

Jeff Beck was always there in the mix, admired for his early work with The Yardbirds and in The Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart.

I didn’t know those records – I was listening to Bolan and Bowie – but there was one album I recall by a trio called Beck, Bogert & Appice.

And I remember the acclaim that greeted the release of Blow By Blow, the album from which this is taken, in 1975.

I’ve always loved an electric guitar solo, and sometimes they say more than words ever can to articulate the deepest feelings.

Like this one.

RIP Jeff Beck (1944-2023)