EMOTION & COMMOTION

Jeff Beck never does what you would expect, in interviews in 2009 he was suggesting a power trio type album having toured with perhaps his best ever band in Tal Wilkenfeld, Aussie female bass prodigy, Vinnie Coliauta the powerhouse jazz-rock drummer and Brit jazz keyboard ace Jason Rebello.

Instead we get an eclectic quite restrained album with few guitar histrionics. The album is wonderfully played (and produced by Tevor Horn and Steve Lipson).

Track by track:

Corpus Christi Carol: A short rendition owing lot's to the Jeff Buckley version, a perfect example of Beck's ability to make the guitar "sing".

Hammerhead: A wah-wah drenched riff, one of the only tracks where Beck let's rip. Lacks the invention of his 70's tracks, very one dimensional riff although it sounds fab.

Never Alone - Sublime track with inspired playing, for me the best track on the album, gorgeous melody, no one gets close to El Becko on this form.

Somewhere Over The Rainbow: Lovely playing on the old (too familiar?) standard but I'm not a fan of the track, Beck taking a bit of an easy option here.

I Put A Spell On You: Joss Stone sings well, sounds like Beck guesting on someone elses album, great solo, not enough of Beck on the track for me.

Serene: Another original and another highlight of the album. An atmosheric melody, very much a mood piece, again the originals here outshine the covers. JB sounds more inspired and obviously has a greater sense of freedom to play.

Lilac Wine: Imelda May does a good job on this one (obviously Grace by Jeff Buckley is a fave album of Beck's) but can't get near the Buckley original. Again sounds like Beck guesting rather than dominating the proceedings.

Nessun Dorma: Backed by a rather muted orchestra JB plays beautfully but the track is so familiar it begins to sound like muzak, shame.