Jeff Beck is a great British guitar hero, he is worthy, and deserving of a much wider audience. His albums show his skill and talent in finding interesting and colourfull sounds, amalgamating many styles of playing together though always keeping his uniqueness, which makes him so distinct and head and shoulders above other accomplished guitarists.

I became aware of Jeff Beck through his playing with the Yardbirds, when he took over on lead guitar from Eric Clapton. Jeff's playing gave the group a new vitality. Jeff was certainly just the player they needed to progress further. Later Jimmy Page joined the group, and Jeff decided to leave the band and take a rest, having been on the road touring a long time.

Jeff formed a group with Rod Stewart on vocals, Ron Wood on bass, and Mick Waller on drums. They recorded a great album called Truth, this album had Jimmy Page playing guitar with Jeff, on Beck's Bolero, and also had Nicky Hopkins playing piano on a number of tracks. A follow up album called Beckola was released this featured some rock 'n' roll tracks, one was a version of Jailhouse Rock.

Later this group disbanded, and after sometime the Jeff Beck group was formed, with Bob Tench on Vocals and backing guitar, Max Middleton on Keyboard, Clive Chaman on bass and Cozy Powell on drums. This group had more of a soul funk style of music they recorded two albums, Rough and Ready, and The Jeff Beck Group.

Jeff had wanted to form a group with Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice who were members of a group called Vanilla Fudge, when they became available Beck, Bogert and Appice were formed. They made a studio album BBA which featured some heavy rock, (an album I personally am still fond of) also a live album was released in Japan.

After the demise of this band Jeff brought out a brilliant instrumental album titled Blow by Blow, which also featured the keyboard playing of Max Middleton who play in The Jeff Beck Group. It was produced by George Martin. (The man who produced the Beatles).

The follow up album was another instrumental album with Jeff's amazing playing called Wired. This album is also another outstanding musical statement, and also shows how good Jeff is at picking the right musicians to complement his playing.

There and Back was the next album and had Jan Hammer on keyboards on some tracks, Starcycle was feature as the theme music for a TV music show called the Tube. At this time I and a few friends were fortunate to see Jeff play at the Hammersmith Odeon with Tony Hymas on Keyboards, Mo Foster on bass and Simon Phillips on drums. It was a great gig, and at the end Jeff welcomed on stage Jimmy Page and they finished off the set playing I'm Going Down.

Jeff brought out an album named Flash which had Rod Stewart on vocals on the track, People Get Ready, featuring some beautiful playing by Jeff, and also featured some of Mr Beck's vocals. The title of the album made me remember when I saw him play at the Sundown in Edmonton with Beck, Bogert and Appice, because the support group was named Flash (they featured the original YES guitarist).

Jeff Beck's Guitar Shop was the title of another great album release, I went and saw the band play at the Hammersmith Odeon and was in ecstacy watching and listening to a real master at work, I didn't think Jeff would be able to play some of the tracks live, how wrong I was.

Jeff released an album called Crazy Legs which was all rock 'n' roll, the type of music he listened to when young, and a tribute to Cliff Gallup who greatly impressed him as a guitarist.

A sound track album was made by Jeff Beck and Jed Leiber called Frankies House this is another instrumental album with lots of short tracks, but interesting listening to fans of Jeff.

Who Else, was made with Jennifer Batten backing Jeff on Guitar, and features a track, Brush with the Blues, who else indeed, there's only one Jeff Beck guitarist extraordinaire. This is another good album well worth listening to, and of course buying.

Jeff brought out an album called You Had It Coming, which sounds very modern (for an old fan like me) but has some great playing, and has a great track called Dirty Mind, and on Blackbird he plays some chirping guitar, a very good album.

Jeff is the album title and again is very modern sounding, I thought one of the tracks was skipping at first, but listening closer revealed it wasn't, just tricking me. This is another great album by Jeff and quite different as often he is, which helps make him sound fresh and more interesting than other guitarists.(some sounds remind me of the brilliant Billy Cobham album Spectrum featuring the stunning guitar work from Tommy Bolin).

The Live album recorded at BB king's club is only available to buy online. I would like to buy this CD, as I'm sure it must be very good, but I don't like to buy goods online so unless it becomes available in shops, here in the UK I will not be able to purchase it.

Listening to any Jeff Beck record is highly recommended, and if you have not heard any of his recent music it could be a real eye opener for you. Jeff has played on other artists records. Here are a few, Malcolm McClaren, Mick Jagger, Narada Michael Walden, Stanley Clarke, Rodger Waters, Donovan.

Here are some of Jeff's appearances in films etc. He can be seen on film as the postman in the movie, The Pope Must Die. He was playing in a band in the movie, Twins. Jeff was in a film with the Yardbirds called, Blow Up, and was featured on the UK TV program, Later with Jools Holland, and another UK TV program called Rapido. Jeff also made a guest appearance on a video by the very funny Lenny Henry. One of the best videos with Jeff in is the A R M s charity concert, which also featured Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. Strongly recomended if you can still get it.

I have put some links on this page for fans of Jeff Beck, and would suggest the ainian website to be the most comprehensive site about Jeff.

A screensaver is available for fans of Jeff Beck to download, the link is below.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this webpage, thanks for your visit.

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