JEFF

Jeff Beck

Jazz Rock/Fusion

3.29 | 67 ratings

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Easy Livin
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin

Short on good vibrations

Released in 2003, this was until this year's "Emotion & commotion" Jeff Beck's latest album. While it received critical acclaim, including a Grammy award for the track "Plan B", the album failed to find commercial success on either side of the Atlantic. This lack of recognition in terms of sales can most easily be explained by the fact that while the tracks bear the Beck (guitar) watermark, they remain largely annonymous.

Here we have what essentially boils down to 13 or so variations of Edgar Winter's "Frankenstein", overdubbed with guitar pyrotechnics by the legendary maestro. The tracks offer a limited diversity, but remain rooted between the jazz fusion of "Plan B" and the whimsical west coast pastiche of "Hotrod honeymoon", complete with Beeched boys (sic) backing vocals.

Beck's mastery of his instrument is never in question, but while the funky electronica which prevails here is admirable from a progression point of view, it rather seems to indicate Beck is wandering up an industrial cul-de-sac. On the plus side, I do get the impression that the man is enjoying himself, while drawing heavily on the influences of the many guests who appear throughout. Whether though this translates into a satisfactory album is certainly debatable.

Rather perversely, I actually found this album made better background listening than something to sit in a darkened room with. Tracks such as the slightly more orthodox "JB's blues" would offer a budding documentary maker some fine accompanying music for a travelogue or natural world film.

In all, an album which will satisfy those who enjoyed Beck's more recent albums, but not one for those wishing to discover the great man's true identity.

Easy Livin | 3/5 | 2010-7-16

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