Jeff Beck Album Suggestions?

geddyleedog · January 14th, 2005, 05:16 AM

Okay, I admit it. I've been playing guitar for 20 years and I consider myself fairly diverse in who I listen too. I listen to players from Doc Watson to Chet Atkins to Paul Simon to Rik Emmett to Glenn Tipton to George Lynch and so on and so on. However, I've never heard a Jeff Beck tune (that I know of).

Stop laughing!!! Anyway, can anyone suggest a classic Jeff Beck album? One that really sums up who he is as a player.

TG · January 14th, 2005, 06:13 AM

This is actually a difficult question to answer. The man has had a long career and several different stylistic 'periods'. There's no one album that sums it up.

There's a 3CD 'Beckology' set that is a sort of 'best of' up to the early '90s.

But it's worth getting the album 'Wired'. It's from the mid 1970s when he was in an instrumental jazz/rock fusion period and it's considered his best work by many. George Martin produced it.

Oskar · January 14th, 2005, 07:36 AM

To me the ultimate Jeff Beck will always be his first solo album with Rod Stewart. It was such a natural extension of his Yardbirds work and really showed how far ahead of his time he was as a musician.
There's no denying that Wired is great work, but I've always thought he lack some direction after the first and second album (Beck-Ola).
It might not be a bad place to start, just to see where he came from as a solo artist and then move on from there. Regardless of where it takes you, he's pretty phenomenal.

jwsamuel · January 14th, 2005, 07:50 AM

What about "Blow By Blow."

I'll take that over "Wired" any day.

Jim

tdu · January 14th, 2005, 09:01 AM

I just got Beckology and it rocks. If you want a sampling of a variety of his material that is a pretty good way to go.

Sarge · January 14th, 2005, 09:23 AM

"Blow by Blow' is really good. Also try "Beck,Bogart,and Appice" another good one if you can find it. Features Jeff Beck, Carmen Appice(sp) and I don't remember who the "Bogart"is.

Dana · January 14th, 2005, 09:57 AM

I would say get Truth first, then BeckOla. I've seen both sold as a single set as well. If you have the $$$ I would highly suggest Beckology as well.

skinnyguy · January 14th, 2005, 05:42 PM

"Wired" is a great JB starting point.

guitar_ed · January 14th, 2005, 06:46 PM

What Jeff Beck to buy?????? It almost doesn't matter, because you will get blown away no matter what. But given my preferences.... Truth. Play it loud and piss off the neighbors.

Have fun and say "good-bye" to your hearing.

Guitar Ed

fezz parka · January 14th, 2005, 07:09 PM

fezz parka · January 14th, 2005, 07:12 PM

I like it so much, I had to post it twice!

hippietim · January 14th, 2005, 09:53 PM

Wired is my favorite. Blue Wind is the best song he's done IMO.

Also this live disc is awesome (it's not really a bootleg):
http://www.jeffbeckbootlegs.com/

Dana · January 14th, 2005, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fezz parka

I like it so much, I had to post it twice!

Ditto that! :D

gtrwrks · January 14th, 2005, 10:40 PM

#1 - Blow By Blow
#2 - There And Back
"Goodbye Porkpie Hat" (Mingus) from Wired

his last 3 have had techno leanings and much of it i didn't really care for (although i have them all!), but the last one "Jeff" contains some of his best playing ever. I almost shat myself on first listen. very hip use of wha too.

beez · January 14th, 2005, 10:45 PM

For the style that Jeff is playing now....lots of bends, slurs, tapping, whammy manipulation, vulger oscillations, growls, and screams.....I think Guitar Shop is where it all came together. That being said, I was probably first knocked out by what I consider to be his "third" incarnation (that assuming the Yardbirds to be the first, and the various hard rock/blues/r&b groups he was involved with for the next several years after the YBs being the second) that was his Blow by Blow/Wired era. Yeah, it sounds like vintage porno soundtracks at times.....but my gosh!!! These are some of the tastiest (and flashiest!) licks that have ever been played! And tone??? Well I have no issues with stating that NO ELECTRIC GUITARIST CAN GET A BETTER TONE THAN JEFF BECK!!!!!! Of course I'm not saying that there aren't any guitarists who can sound as good, but I will say that there are none who can sound better......

Anyway, IMHO Jeff Beck has done as much as any other electric guitarist to really raise the bar as to what an electric guitar can do. He's 60 years old, folks. While that is definitly not old these days....he surely is no spring chicken. I would suggest that all of you do what you feel is right in supporting him through his albums, tours, etc. It's kinda nice having a "living legend" being appreciated fully while the are still at the peak of their facilities. Too often our heros are long gone before we really start to appreciate what they acomplished. That often leads to discussions about "What would they have done if they had lived???" Here, we actually have the honor of seeing one of the ALL-TIME GREATS actually grow old, mature, evolve, and fully develope himself.

I think that is pretty cool!

Beez

stantheman · January 15th, 2005, 12:16 AM

What phase of Dexter Gordon, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday.
Really...the original progression I feel is the right way to
really UNDERSTAND the genius of this Guitarist.
1. "Having A Raveup"; Yardbirds
2. "Over,Under,Sideways,Down; Yardbirds
next phase
3. "Truth" (1st High Water Mark IMHO)
4. "Beck-Ola"
next phase
5. "Beck, Bogert and Appice"
next phase
6. "Jeff Beck Group" (Steve Cropper produced Memphis)
7. "Jeff Beck Group - Rough & Ready"
next phase
8. "Blow By Blow" (The Masterpiece IMHO)
Band changes futher into Fusion
9. "Wired" (Goodbye Porkpie Hat 8) )
10. "Live"
11. "There And Back" (The "Sleeper" IMHO)
next phase
I think there's 6 more after this but these are the ones he made his "name" with; of the newer stuff I liked "Who
Else", "You Had It Coming", "Guitar Shop". I thought "Flash" was "contractual obligation stuff".
*The "Blow By Blow" Band was the best time of the three times I saw him live - that Band did what GREAT
BANDS DO.
There was a Cliff Gallup Tribute he did that is PURE but it
might not appeal to people who like "big production Rock".

Oskar · January 15th, 2005, 08:20 AM

Bogart. Just in case it hadn't come to you yet.

tdu · January 15th, 2005, 08:41 AM

It kinda might depend on what kinda music you like as well. I personally love old dirty Rock n' Roll which is why I love his work with the Yardbirds and his first few solo albums. While he doesn't freak out a lot on some of that stuff, even just his tone sends chills up my spine.

While I think the playing on the later albums is amazing, I am just not into the type of music that much. I heard those albums first and just wasn't into it. I backtracked a few years later and bought older stuff and loved it.

Billy Claire · January 15th, 2005, 10:21 AM

Truth.

Learn some of Beck's solos. They are the foundation of all of his stuff to me and give a real insight to his playing. Listen to how he comes in on Blues Deluxe- in your face, over the top- very cool. You don't hear that at the blues jam. And Rock My Plimsoul is probably everyone's fav from this record.

Beck's Bolero is cool too:
here

Billy

trag-o-caster · January 15th, 2005, 10:51 AM

As a starter I'd first recommend "Truth", and then "Wired". That give you a good "before and after".

Then, if you're still interested, you should go out and get "Beck-Ola", "Blow by Blow", "There and Back" is pretty good too.

The albums that I'd avoid at first would be "Beck Bogert and Appice", which is my least favorite Beck album. Also "Rough and Ready", and "Jeff Beck Group" (with the orange on the front cover) are very uneven albums, although there are some good things on there.

Oh, and ya GOTTA get some Yardbirds too!

Michael · January 15th, 2005, 03:42 PM

... if you want to hear a labor of love. There are so many good Beck records it'd be nearly impossible to go wrong. The cool thing about Beck is that he is so unlike all the usual "guitar hero" types, in that JB's playing has actually evolved and explored new ground. I respect all the great players for their accomplishments, but of all the players that established themselves as I was growing up, Jeff Beck rates as the most interesting in my humble opinion.

tdu · January 15th, 2005, 07:00 PM

This is a little bit off topic, but someone mentioned Beck's Bolero. What effects does he use on that tune?

TG · January 15th, 2005, 07:42 PM

Whatever you get, I'd recommend listening very closely. Although he's a master of 'flash' playing, it's often the little subtle things that show his genius. Licks and phrases that don't jump out at you in any obvious way but which create a texture/flavour/(or whatever)....and which are inventive and totally unique to him. Where he gets some of those ideas I simply do not know.

The song 'Where Were You' (on Guitar Shop?) is well worth a listen. Just a strat, an amp and his fingers and he made THAT?
Unreal.

Telemaniac · January 15th, 2005, 07:46 PM

In the UK they issued a CD called Shapes of Things which is a compilation of the session work he did in the 60s as well as some Jeff Beck and Yardbirds stuff. I love it, I didn't realise just how many things he played on - it almost sounds as though there were only a dozen or so guitarists in the UK in the 60s!!

stantheman · January 15th, 2005, 10:01 PM

Some people have told me that The Tridents would have "SMOKED" every other Blues Band in Britain and
that they still play England's "chitlin' circuit".
Is there anything out on Vinyl or CD ???
If Beck had stayed a Trident instead of becoming a Yardbird there might have been some epic battles with
The Bluesbreakers.
Jeff said he left because The Yardbirds bought him a suit.
Someday The Yardbirds will get their proper due, they're
like "the Joe Gibbs of Rock Bands".*
*Joe Gibbs; NFL Head Coach who won The Super Bowl
three times with three different Quarterbacks.

January 14th, 2005, 05:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
geddyleedog Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 583	Jeff Beck Album Suggestions? Okay, I admit it. I've been playing guitar for 20 years and I consider myself fairly diverse in who I listen too. I listen to players from Doc Watson to Chet Atkins to Paul Simon to Rik Emmett to Glenn Tipton to George Lynch and so on and so on. However, I've never heard a Jeff Beck tune (that I know of). Stop laughing!!! Anyway, can anyone suggest a classic Jeff Beck album? One that really sums up who he is as a player. __________________ (.o)==:::

January 14th, 2005, 07:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
Oskar Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northampton, MA Posts: 3,166	Personally I would suggest the 1st album To me the ultimate Jeff Beck will always be his first solo album with Rod Stewart. It was such a natural extension of his Yardbirds work and really showed how far ahead of his time he was as a musician. There's no denying that Wired is great work, but I've always thought he lack some direction after the first and second album (Beck-Ola). It might not be a bad place to start, just to see where he came from as a solo artist and then move on from there. Regardless of where it takes you, he's pretty phenomenal.

January 14th, 2005, 09:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
tdu Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 32 Posts: 2,455 11 Photos	I just got Beckology and it rocks. If you want a sampling of a variety of his material that is a pretty good way to go. __________________ Torn Down Units brand Rock n' Roll My Solo Stuff:

January 14th, 2005, 05:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
skinnyguy Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Spokane, WA Age: 41 Posts: 219	I Agree with TG.... "Wired" is a great JB starting point. __________________ www.jeremylunnen.blogspot.com

January 14th, 2005, 06:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
guitar_ed Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bankrupt State of California Age: 47 Posts: 711 16 Photos	What Jeff Beck to buy?????? It almost doesn't matter, because you will get blown away no matter what. But given my preferences.... Truth. Play it loud and piss off the neighbors. Have fun and say "good-bye" to your hearing. Guitar Ed __________________ Piss off a politician, register to vote. When you complain about the government, remember that you ARE the government. Voting is the ultimate act of civil dis-obediance. AIM - guitar_edg Skype - guitar_edg (had to change on 5/16/06)

January 14th, 2005, 06:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
TG Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Beside a bog in the west of Ireland Age: 47 Posts: 4,492 7 Photos	This is actually a difficult question to answer. The man has had a long career and several different stylistic 'periods'. There's no one album that sums it up. There's a 3CD 'Beckology' set that is a sort of 'best of' up to the early '90s. But it's worth getting the album 'Wired'. It's from the mid 1970s when he was in an instrumental jazz/rock fusion period and it's considered his best work by many. George Martin produced it.

January 14th, 2005, 07:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
jwsamuel Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2004 Location: Upper Holland, PA Age: 51 Posts: 2,071	What about "Blow By Blow." I'll take that over "Wired" any day. Jim

January 14th, 2005, 09:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
Sarge Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pgh,Pa Age: 53 Posts: 3,549	"Blow by Blow' is really good. Also try "Beck,Bogart,and Appice" another good one if you can find it. Features Jeff Beck, Carmen Appice(sp) and I don't remember who the "Bogart"is.

January 14th, 2005, 09:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
Dana Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ashland, Ma Posts: 1,695 11 Photos	I would say get Truth first, then BeckOla. I've seen both sold as a single set as well. If you have the $$$ I would highly suggest Beckology as well.

January 14th, 2005, 07:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
fezz parka Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: A town south of Bakersfield... Posts: 1,283 45 Photos

January 14th, 2005, 07:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
fezz parka Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: A town south of Bakersfield... Posts: 1,283 45 Photos	I like it so much, I had to post it twice!

January 14th, 2005, 09:53 PM	#12 (permalink)
hippietim Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Raleigh Posts: 2,101	Wired is my favorite. Blue Wind is the best song he's done IMO. Also this live disc is awesome (it's not really a bootleg): http://www.jeffbeckbootlegs.com/

January 14th, 2005, 10:40 PM	#14 (permalink)
gtrwrks Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2003 Location: oklahoma city, ok Age: 44 Posts: 753	#1 - Blow By Blow #2 - There And Back "Goodbye Porkpie Hat" (Mingus) from Wired his last 3 have had techno leanings and much of it i didn't really care for (although i have them all!), but the last one "Jeff" contains some of his best playing ever. I almost shat myself on first listen. very hip use of wha too. __________________ www.myspace.com/toddlynchmusic

January 14th, 2005, 10:45 PM	#15 (permalink)
beez Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 755	For the current incarnation of JB..... For the style that Jeff is playing now....lots of bends, slurs, tapping, whammy manipulation, vulger oscillations, growls, and screams.....I think Guitar Shop is where it all came together. That being said, I was probably first knocked out by what I consider to be his "third" incarnation (that assuming the Yardbirds to be the first, and the various hard rock/blues/r&b groups he was involved with for the next several years after the YBs being the second) that was his Blow by Blow/Wired era. Yeah, it sounds like vintage porno soundtracks at times.....but my gosh!!! These are some of the tastiest (and flashiest!) licks that have ever been played! And tone??? Well I have no issues with stating that NO ELECTRIC GUITARIST CAN GET A BETTER TONE THAN JEFF BECK!!!!!! Of course I'm not saying that there aren't any guitarists who can sound as good, but I will say that there are none who can sound better...... Anyway, IMHO Jeff Beck has done as much as any other electric guitarist to really raise the bar as to what an electric guitar can do. He's 60 years old, folks. While that is definitly not old these days....he surely is no spring chicken. I would suggest that all of you do what you feel is right in supporting him through his albums, tours, etc. It's kinda nice having a "living legend" being appreciated fully while the are still at the peak of their facilities. Too often our heros are long gone before we really start to appreciate what they acomplished. That often leads to discussions about "What would they have done if they had lived???" Here, we actually have the honor of seeing one of the ALL-TIME GREATS actually grow old, mature, evolve, and fully develope himself. I think that is pretty cool! Beez

January 15th, 2005, 12:16 AM	#16 (permalink)
stantheman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: White Mountains Posts: 5,021	This is difficult seriously. What phase of Dexter Gordon, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday. Really...the original progression I feel is the right way to really UNDERSTAND the genius of this Guitarist. 1. "Having A Raveup"; Yardbirds 2. "Over,Under,Sideways,Down; Yardbirds next phase 3. "Truth" (1st High Water Mark IMHO) 4. "Beck-Ola" next phase 5. "Beck, Bogert and Appice" next phase 6. "Jeff Beck Group" (Steve Cropper produced Memphis) 7. "Jeff Beck Group - Rough & Ready" next phase 8. "Blow By Blow" (The Masterpiece IMHO) Band changes futher into Fusion 9. "Wired" (Goodbye Porkpie Hat 8) ) 10. "Live" 11. "There And Back" (The "Sleeper" IMHO) next phase I think there's 6 more after this but these are the ones he made his "name" with; of the newer stuff I liked "Who Else", "You Had It Coming", "Guitar Shop". I thought "Flash" was "contractual obligation stuff". *The "Blow By Blow" Band was the best time of the three times I saw him live - that Band did what GREAT BANDS DO. There was a Cliff Gallup Tribute he did that is PURE but it might not appeal to people who like "big production Rock". __________________ Somebody Loan Me A Dime

January 15th, 2005, 08:20 AM	#17 (permalink)
Oskar Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northampton, MA Posts: 3,166	Hey, Sarge... it's Tim Bogart. Just in case it hadn't come to you yet.

January 15th, 2005, 08:41 AM	#18 (permalink)
tdu Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 32 Posts: 2,455 11 Photos	It kinda might depend on what kinda music you like as well. I personally love old dirty Rock n' Roll which is why I love his work with the Yardbirds and his first few solo albums. While he doesn't freak out a lot on some of that stuff, even just his tone sends chills up my spine. While I think the playing on the later albums is amazing, I am just not into the type of music that much. I heard those albums first and just wasn't into it. I backtracked a few years later and bought older stuff and loved it. __________________ Torn Down Units brand Rock n' Roll My Solo Stuff:

January 15th, 2005, 10:21 AM	#19 (permalink)
Billy Claire Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Marlborough MA Posts: 940	Truth. Learn some of Beck's solos. They are the foundation of all of his stuff to me and give a real insight to his playing. Listen to how he comes in on Blues Deluxe- in your face, over the top- very cool. You don't hear that at the blues jam. And Rock My Plimsoul is probably everyone's fav from this record. Beck's Bolero is cool too: here Billy __________________ www.myspace.com/sherylamour www.theallens.theallens.com tear off my arms and beat me to death with them...

January 15th, 2005, 10:51 AM	#20 (permalink)
trag-o-caster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Flushing, Michigan Posts: 4,578	As a starter I'd first recommend "Truth", and then "Wired". That give you a good "before and after". Then, if you're still interested, you should go out and get "Beck-Ola", "Blow by Blow", "There and Back" is pretty good too. The albums that I'd avoid at first would be "Beck Bogert and Appice", which is my least favorite Beck album. Also "Rough and Ready", and "Jeff Beck Group" (with the orange on the front cover) are very uneven albums, although there are some good things on there. Oh, and ya GOTTA get some Yardbirds too! __________________ Timothy Jon Lamb

January 15th, 2005, 03:42 PM	#21 (permalink)
Michael Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Sunny Side of the Street Posts: 533	Get "Crazy Legs"... ... if you want to hear a labor of love. There are so many good Beck records it'd be nearly impossible to go wrong. The cool thing about Beck is that he is so unlike all the usual "guitar hero" types, in that JB's playing has actually evolved and explored new ground. I respect all the great players for their accomplishments, but of all the players that established themselves as I was growing up, Jeff Beck rates as the most interesting in my humble opinion. __________________ "Help thy brother's boat across, and lo! Thine own has reached the shore".

January 15th, 2005, 07:00 PM	#22 (permalink)
tdu Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Age: 32 Posts: 2,455 11 Photos	This is a little bit off topic, but someone mentioned Beck's Bolero. What effects does he use on that tune? __________________ Torn Down Units brand Rock n' Roll My Solo Stuff:

January 15th, 2005, 07:42 PM	#23 (permalink)
TG Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Beside a bog in the west of Ireland Age: 47 Posts: 4,492 7 Photos	Whatever you get, I'd recommend listening very closely. Although he's a master of 'flash' playing, it's often the little subtle things that show his genius. Licks and phrases that don't jump out at you in any obvious way but which create a texture/flavour/(or whatever)....and which are inventive and totally unique to him. Where he gets some of those ideas I simply do not know. The song 'Where Were You' (on Guitar Shop?) is well worth a listen. Just a strat, an amp and his fingers and he made THAT? Unreal.

January 15th, 2005, 07:46 PM	#24 (permalink)
Telemaniac Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wokingham, England Age: 56 Posts: 1,253 2 Photos	In the UK they issued a CD called Shapes of Things which is a compilation of the session work he did in the 60s as well as some Jeff Beck and Yardbirds stuff. I love it, I didn't realise just how many things he played on - it almost sounds as though there were only a dozen or so guitarists in the UK in the 60s!! __________________ Growing old is mandatory . . . growing up is optional

January 15th, 2005, 10:01 PM	#25 (permalink)
stantheman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: White Mountains Posts: 5,021	U.K.ers any Tridents stuff out there ??? Some people have told me that The Tridents would have "SMOKED" every other Blues Band in Britain and that they still play England's "chitlin' circuit". Is there anything out on Vinyl or CD ??? If Beck had stayed a Trident instead of becoming a Yardbird there might have been some epic battles with The Bluesbreakers. Jeff said he left because The Yardbirds bought him a suit. Someday The Yardbirds will get their proper due, they're like "the Joe Gibbs of Rock Bands".* *Joe Gibbs; NFL Head Coach who won The Super Bowl three times with three different Quarterbacks. __________________ Somebody Loan Me A Dime