I saw Jeff Beck here in Santa Barbara last night. I am still in awe. This was the most inspiring perfomance I have seen for years. Jeff is now 62 years old but he is playing at his peak. I walked out of the theater awestuck by what I heard. He is not just a fantastic musician but he really is the master of the electric guitar. He was just like an artist painting with his guitar. I have never heard anything more spectacular.

Plus he plays without a guitar pick choosing to use his thumb and fingers to caress his Fender Stratocaster. He is without a doubt the greatest electric guitar player in the world today. While I never got to see Jimi Hendrix live I have experienced the magic of Jeff Beck. If you get a chance to catch him on his US tour then do yourself a big favour. You can see the shows he is still doing at http://www.jeffbeck.com

At 62 his years of touring are probably limited so see him while you can. You won't be sorry.

Some of us old-timers can still ROCK!
DonM

Beck is DA MAN! He's just two years older than me, and, because of him and my facination with Wes Montgomery, I stopped using a pick in 1975.

You always have good taste in players, Nigel. Ever heard of Lenny Brough? He was a monster jazz player from Canada in the league of Howard Roberts. Sadly, he died at a young age-about 10 years ago, I think. Right now, I'm listening to Tuck Andress of Tuck and Patty fame. He's a real MONSTOR...particularly on his solo albums with no other musicians, multi-tracking...just him!And then there's Pat Metheney...WOW!

Russ


Russ

Russ, I didn't know you also chose not to use a guitar pick. After hearing Jeff play extraordinary guitar without one it has made me rethink using a pick as much as I do. Occasionally I play without a pick when I am switching between keyboard and guitar mid-song in the band I play with so I am quite comfortable not always using one. Maybe I should try to play more without one. I also played bass for years with my thumb and fingers so it does feel natural.

I haven't heard of Lenny Brough. Did he leave any recordings? I have heard Tuck with Tuck & Patty but didn't know he had released a solo album. I'll definately look out for that one.

By the way Jason Rebello is playing the keyboards with Jeff Beck. He is a great keyboard player who plays pianos as well as covering synth parts ( many of which were originally played by Jan Hammer in the late 70s ). He is a masterful player who really compliments Jeff Beck's guitar work.
http://www.jasonrebello.co.uk/


[This message has been edited by Nigel (edited 10-01-2006).]

Nigel, Lenny did a lot of recording, but I loaned all my albums to a "friend" who dissapeared with them. Not sure about the spelling of his last name...wonderful, inventive guitar player. Tuck is fabulous, particularly on the album with "Louis, Louis" on it and "Man in the Mirror"...all done without back-up, multitracking, etc. the album I'm referring to was recorded in 1990. I'll look it up on my week-end job-the disk it there.

I use the same pick-ups Al Dimiola uses...put them in a Gibson 295 and the old Guild I have. they're Demarzios. Often, Al plays a 175...a 295 is the same body...lots older and came with P 90's.


Russ

I went to the last show on the tour in Mesa AZ! I'm not much of a Jeff Beck fan... Don't get me wrong. I think he is truly talented, but that's not the true driving force behind this one. First I had to check out the new Mesa center for the arts center. I have to say I was impressed... A bit too sterelized for the event, but the sound was great. If you ever get a chance to attend an event at this venue, do! Second, I am a huge Beth Hart fan (the female singer you are all wondering about). This is the closest I have ever come to seeing her live, and i was not dissapointed!

I mean't to reply to this earlier but forgot. Thanks so much to putting a name to the female singer on the Jeff Beck tour. She was awesome and really played off Jeff Beck. They did some killer blues numbers together. She looks and sounds great on stage. I will definately look out for Beth Hart now. Does she have her own albums out already?


[This message has been edited by Nigel (edited 11-12-2006).]

Actually she has 4 albums out...

Imortal relieced 1997
Screeming for my supper - 1999. She had a hit off of that one called L A Song.
Leave the lights on - 2003
Live at Paradiso.

All of her works are available on iTunes

A must have is the Live at Paradiso DVD concert footage. It claimes the #1 spot for best concert footage I have ever seen (folowed by a close 2nd - Stevie Rae Vaugn's Montroux footage). You can find out more from her website www.bethhart.com

I should have went on (and on) with my last reply, but I had to stop and watch the dvd some more (fanatic).

If a person does not want to drop major coin on an unknow artist, here is some great listens...

iTunes > Beth Hart > Live at Peridiso > Am I the one. Be aware that this one has an "explised" rating...

She also is great on the keys....
iTunes > Beth Hart > Live at Peridiso > Mama

Just a couple of highly recomended... if your courious.

Thanks so much for those recommendations. I will definately check them out. I enjoyed her performance so much and want to hear more from her.


[This message has been edited by Nigel (edited 11-18-2006).]

Someone gave me this live clip of Jeff playing Cause It Ended For Lovers . If your a guitar player you will love it. Even if your not and just love good music give it a listen.




[This message has been edited by Nigel (edited 09-17-2007).]

Hello Nigel,

Nice song indeed. But reminded me immediately to this one!
Fred
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NfZBvRvkIg



[This message has been edited by freddynl (edited 09-20-2007).]

I took your advice and got Beth Hart's Live At Paradiso from Netflix. ...... WOW ... words just can't express how much I loved it. Beth is just awesome. Boy does she just tear it up !!!!!! She is the most impressive female performer I have seen for over 25 years. Everyone should check out this DVD. Sort of like Janis Joplin reincarnated. She has both the incredible vocal talent as well as that bad girl attitude. Thanks so much much for turning me onto that.

Beth singing Leave The Light On

Beth live with Jeff Beck

Oh yeah another good one is Beth singing Get Your Shit Together where she jumps into the audience singing her heart out. This is blues at it's very best.

Nigel,
I got your e-mail.
Seems every time I recomend the DVD, I find a new fan.
My favorite performance of hers is "Am I the One" on the Paradiso DVD. Absolutly kicks that one square in the teeth!

Great singer, but I like the bass player better! Check out the post above.

R.