Guitar legend and my choice of best guitarist in the world Mr Jeff Beck dies aged 78
Perhaps the greatest and certainly one of the best guitarists of all time, Jeff Beck has died aged 78
“On behalf of his family, it is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of Jeff Beck’s passing.
“After suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis, he peacefully passed away yesterday.
Rest easy now Jeff
These from Guess I’m Dumb!
Track Name
Shapes Of Things
Artist
The Yardbirds
The Yardbirds: Shapes Of Things
Track Name
Beck's Bolero
Album
Truth
Artist
Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck - Beck’s Bolero (1967)
Here Jeff covers The Beatles’ Day In The Life (with Tal Wilkenfeld on bass)
I am indebted to Kathryn Williams for sharing this fine fine performance on her Facebook page
and in tribute to his single in the ongoing series of singles I bought when they came out (not forgetting begging my Mum to go into the local record shop and buy me The Yardbirds Over Under Sideways Down! b-side Jeff’s Boogie when I was ill which she never forgot!) Having written the part on bass Jeff swished to guitar for the solo and intro riff as remembered by drummer Jim McCarty
"We needed an intro, and Jeff peeled one out, an instantly recognisable peel that completely took us by surprise ... Over and over we listened back to that line, going back and forth over whether it belonged in the song. And then like a flash of lightning, we realised that it did. More than that, it made the song." Jim McCarty
The Yardbirds - Over Under Sideways Down [May 1966]
Hi Ho Silver Lining with Jools Holland in his Hootenanny of 2003 Robert Plant Tom Jones Solomon Burke Jimmy Cliff Chrissie Hynde Chas n Dave [yes really!] et al
Always sort of faintly embarrassed by his great feel good funny hit, only Jools perhaps could have persuaded Jeff (and THAT line up!?) to sing this . . . . . .in happier times!
Our greatest guitarist . . . . .anyway you go now baby!
This IS a great loss.
ReplyDeleteJeff has made some of the most interesting and evocative music of his generation and probably a few more too! Never afraid to take a risk, he seeked out other musicians who could help him stretch the boundaries of what we might be familiar or even comfortable with.
Although I had come across him in other situations ( notably the Yardbirds ) without paying too much note, it was when as a young teen I heard his first solo album "Truth" that I was hooked and was amazed at the sounds he was creating. The technique which he developed and embellished over the years and the tone he could pull from a guitar with no effects and just his fingers was mastery. You never knew what was coming when a new album came out by him and his habit of playing with less well known musicians turned the focus on them too - such a generous guy. Whether it was jamming with Stevie Wonder, creating "Wired", "Guitar Shop" or "Jeff" he simply demanded your attention.
Rest in peace.....
Such an intelligent and thoughtful post SF. Spot on too
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for dropping by. You are always welcome