Stringbender

I bought the new Jeff Beck CD about a week ago and cannot stop playing it!
This CD is incredible! It further proves Jeff's amazing ability as a guitarist.
In short- AFTER ONE WEEK OF CONSTANT LISTENING- THIS CD SEEMS IT COULD EASILY WIN A GRAMMY- HANDS-DOWN.
Now, for those of you who have heard some of Jeff's earlier works and are expecting an all-out shredfest of impossible notes and funky jazz-rock, THIS RECORDING IS A BIT OF A DEPARTURE FROM THAT. The songs are slower, moody and show somewhat of a more mournful emotion than say "Blue Wind" or anything from Blow by Blow or Wired. take the beauty and emotion of say Jeff's earlier song "Where were you" and multiply it over the course of a whole recording with some songs having orchestra backgrounds and you'll get just a basic idea of this new recording.
The first track: "Corpus Christi Carol" is haunting and beautiful. Jeff's guitar tone comes close to a surf-guitar sound at times and almost sounds a bit like you are underwater.. a much slower approach for the opening song of a new recording.But it sets you up for what is to come..
Track 2: Hammerhead. OK- this song DOES hearken back to the Jeff Beck sound of the "Wired" album- with lots of shred and delivered fast and frenetic.
I have to admit that this piece does seem out-of-place with the rest of the CD however.
Track 3: Never Alone. a nice medium paced piece. Nice guitar tone.
Track 4: Somewhere Over The Rainbow. The way Jeff plays this song is truly astounding- he tries to get Judy Garland's voice to come out of his guitar and it actually sounds like he succeeded. Jeff's use of Whammy bar and harmonics with volume- at times I'm not sure if Vai could do it as well as Jeff.. I doubt anyone could.. with an orchestral backing, this song is bound to get a few tears in the eye.
Track 5: I put a spell on you. This one features Joss Stone on vocals who is always a pleasure to listen to. Her voice taking on a raspy-soulful edge at times like Janis Joplin mixed with a sweet, sweet honey.. Jeff really lets loose a bit on this one and rips up a great bit of guitar work- while still keeping it all in the nice, neat package of this classic song.
Track 6: Serene. This one has Olivia Sate on vocals - who seems to be an amazing singer- Operatic soprano. I honestly had to listen several times and still cannot always tell what is Jeff's guitar and what is Ms. Sate's vocals.
This one is a nice, peaceful, mellow-medium tempo jazz sounding song..
makes me think of driving on a sunny Sunday's afternoon..
Track 7: Lilac Wine: this one features Imelda May on vocals who I have never heard before but wish to hear countless more from. her voice has that Cassandra Wilson, Nina Simone dark and sultry sweetness to it.. and this song has that great old jazz feel to it.. turn the lights low and listen to this a few times..
Track 8: Nessun Dorma. This is the Piece de' resistance.. Jeff actually makes his guitar sing like Pavarotti.. it reduces me to tears to listen to and I could keep listening to it.. yes it might seem different or odd for you to think Jeff Beck playing an opera piece, but then again- this is Jeff and he once again shows his amazing abilities.
Track 9: There's no other me. Once again featuring Joss Stone on vocals- which is nice nd rocking and good, but after tracks 6, 7 and 8 it seems to take a quick shift in mood.. which is a nice break, but I personally like keeping the mood going.. It's a good song, but compared to the strength of the other songs I can say it's a good rocking song.
Track 10: Elegy for Dunkirk. The last song on this recording leaves you with a sad and haunting piece.. much more quiet yet still elegantly powerful.
for those who have never heard Jeff Beck before - they will love this recording. For those who have heard Jeff Beck before- they will love this recording. I've played this at work and coworkers- who have no clue who Jeff Beck is, have said "what is that..it's beautiful!" as I said before..I smell a Grammy.
I got the copy with the bonus DVD of Live from the 2007 Crossroads festival which gives you a great look at Jeff shredding out some earlier classics. The DVD might not be for everyone- as fans of the mellower sound on the CD might not like the groove of songs like "Stratus"- for myself..it was great.
All- in all.. I think I shelled out somewhere around 14 US dollars- that includes the tax and the DVD is a "free bonus" .. it is WELL worth each and every cent of that money..this is a true genius who has given us a masterpiece, a work of art, a thing of absolute beauty.. I cannot reccommend it enough for fans of all styles of music.
And thank you, Jeff Beck for a work of sheer, astonishing beauty.

__________________
"personally..I take reviewing Lady Gaga's music the same as I would analyzing turds in the toilet bowl in hopes it will look like a Rembrandt."

Only with the eyes closed can one begin to truly see.

 

RickenbackerBassPlayer

Jeff Beck is by far the most weird, unique, good, son-of-a-bitch, guitar player that there is. That is fact, not opinion.

__________________
"Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy." - Ludwig Van Beethoven

MusicMan

I don't know why, but I've never really liked Jeff Beck all that much. I've always felt he's way overrated, kinda like Clapton and Santana. Then again, I feel that way about a lot of the guitarists that are regarded as "virtuosos" like Yngwie and all those shredders who play with no emotion. Beck plays with emotions, but it's in a language I don't relate to. I guess that's the best way I can express it.

But thanks for the review, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

__________________
Rules! A definite must-read

The Music Showcase is the best place to share your music here, you can even embed Youtube videos.

Send me a PM if you need any help with anything.

Stringbender

I understand where you're coming from on Jeff's work-this cd might actually change your perspective because as I had said- it's not his straight up funky rock stuff like before. Actually, youtube Somewhere over the rainbow and/ or Nessun Dorma- most of the video qualities are not good, but the songs coming out are good.. it would give you a good idea of the rest of he cd.

__________________
"personally..I take reviewing Lady Gaga's music the same as I would analyzing turds in the toilet bowl in hopes it will look like a Rembrandt."

Only with the eyes closed can one begin to truly see.

Stringbender

I actually understand what you are saying..there are a few bands/ artists that seem to work in a whole universe that I don't understand..LOL.

__________________
"personally..I take reviewing Lady Gaga's music the same as I would analyzing turds in the toilet bowl in hopes it will look like a Rembrandt."

Only with the eyes closed can one begin to truly see.

Stringbender

This is true- but he also seems to be a real down-to-earth guy that does not consider himself a guitar-god and gets shy when folks relate to him as one.

Musicman, I would say try "cause we've ended as lovers" -probably can youtube it.. the live at Ronnie Scott's video has an incredible bass solo in it. This song, is beautiful- not weird or strange.. it takes on guitar tones and playing qualities that remind me of David Gilmour, but then Jeff gets sounds from his guitar like a wind instrument.. it's really a gorgeous song.. I promise you.. it might not be so overrated on that song- but of course everyone has their particular tastes.. might be worth checking out though.

__________________
"personally..I take reviewing Lady Gaga's music the same as I would analyzing turds in the toilet bowl in hopes it will look like a Rembrandt."

Only with the eyes closed can one begin to truly see.

MusicMan

Yeah, I'm pretty familiar with his work, at least his more mainstream stuff like that one. It's a decent tune, but it's about the only one I can listen to for more than 2 minutes or so. But thank you for the recommendation.

__________________
Rules! A definite must-read

The Music Showcase is the best place to share your music here, you can even embed Youtube videos.

Send me a PM if you need any help with anything.