Reproduced with thanks to Alan Kurzer
Jeff Beck >> Truth (Original Recording Remastered Import) (EMI Records)
Rating: 5
By Alan Kurzer
NOBODY’S BETTER Musicians come and musicians go, but as far as guitarists are concerned, there remains one and only one…Jeff Beck.
Born in Wallington Surrey, England, Beck idolized renowned guitarist Les Paul and our own local legend Cliff Gallup from Gene Vincent’s Blues Caps. When Eric Clapton left the Yardbirds over that band’s change in direction from blues to pop, future Led Zeppelin member and session guitarist Jimmy Page suggested Beck for the vacant slot.
Although his tenure in the Yardbirds lasted only 18 months, Beck’s vision, tone and innovations preceded every major guitarist including Jimi Hendrix.
The tonal direction of the lead guitar in songs like, “I’m A Man,” “Train Kept A Rollin’,” “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago,” and the visionary “Shapes of Things” all led to Beck’s mystique as one of the instrument’s most revolutionary wonders. Beck and new bandmate Page held guitar rave-ups during the Yardbirds appearance in the ‘60s movie Blowup.
Beck was given the sack over his increasing unreliability, but he did manage to connect with singer Rod Stewart, drummer Mickie Waller, bassist Ron Woods and keyboardist Nicky Hopkins. With this superb lineup, the first Jeff Beck Group released two excellent hard-rocking albums, Beck Ola and the recently remastered Truth. Following the band’s demise, Beck’s next outfit featured a more r-and-b approach, but still managed two excellent releases. He then put together a heavy lineup featuring ex-Vanilla Fudge bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice. His big instrumental seller, Blow By Blow was arranged by Beatles producer George Martin.
Over the years Beck has flirted with jazz/rock fusion, keyboardist Jan Hammer, rockabilly on Crazy Legs. He’s backed performers ranging from Tina Turner to B.B. King and managed to collect four rock instrumental Grammies.
On Truth, the rearranged Yardbirds’ hit “Shapes of Things” features Rod Stewart’s tortured vocals, Beck’s overdriven slide guitars and a gutsy rhythm section. In addition to future Rolling Stone Ron Wood on bass, “Let Me Love You” also boasts Stewart’s r-and-b singing and Beck’s passionate blues bending. Willie Dixon’s “You Shook Me” gets two versions here, slow and funky with Beck’s nasty, wah-wah-ed guitar and Stewart’s gritty voice.
The instrumental “Greensleeves” receives an energetic acoustic finger-style rendition. Stewart’s blowout singing, Hopkin’s sweet piano fills and Beck’s unmatched vibrato make both takes of “Blues Deluxe” something else. “I Ain’t Supersticious” features Beck’s almost barking delayed guitar, Stewart’s animated voice, and Wood’s driving bass. With Hopkin’s satisfying piano and Beck’s fuzzy solos, Stewart does Sam Cooke proud on the slow r-and-b treasure “I’ve Been Drinking.”
Two funky takes on “Rock My Plimsoul” feature Stewart at his grittiest and Beck’s guitar approximating sax lines. “Beck’s Bolero” is a mind-boggling instrumental with the Who’s drummer Keith Moon, Led Zep’s future bassist John Paul Jones, keyboardist Hopkins, and Beck’s echoed, fuzzy emotional guitars. Beck’s two vocal releases, “Tallyman” with its slip-slidey guitar break, and the hit “Hi Ho Silver Lining” with its double-tracked vibrato runs, are both textbook solos.
On a side note, I got to meet this amazing guitarist back in 1999 following his powerful local gig the Boathouse. I actually delayed a scheduled hospital stay by three weeks to finally catch my guitar hero. Knowing of my impending medical story, Beck gave me a big hug and wished me well. Five days later, I underwent open-heart surgery. Thanks for all the support, Jeff, and for your continued influence as the best picker on the planet. — Alan Kurzer