Beck's Bolero

Introduction

Jeff Beck died aged 78 on Tuesday 10th January 2023 after “suddenly contracting bacterial meningitis”, and it is a sad loss to the world of music.

I first came across the work of Jeff Beck as a guitarist with the Yardbirds who also numbered Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page within their ranks, particularly picking up on the futuristic "Shapes Of Things" (later covered by David Bowie on his covers album "Pinups" and getting an awesome rebuild by Manny Charlton and Nazareth on their greatest album "Rampant").

You have to hear this story from Alice Cooper

Jeff ranked in the top five of Rolling Stone. He was often called a "guitarist's guitarist".Rolling Stone described him as "one of the most influential lead guitarists in rock". Beck did not establish or maintain the sustained commercial success of many of his contemporaries and bandmates but recorded with many artists.

Beck earned wide critical praise and received the Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance six times and Best Pop Instrumental Performance once.

In 2014 he received the British Academy's Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice: as a member of the Yardbirds (1992) and as a solo artist (2009).

He formed The Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart on vocals and Ronnie Wood on bass, both of whom went on to form The Faces with members of The Small Faces.

After that, he was involved in many collaborations, always innovative and interesting, although never hitting the commercial successes of the people he had previously worked with, but nevertheless highly regarded.

He recently was working with Johnny Depp.

There is more information on the Wikipedia page and the Jeff Beck website below.

Here are a few songs from Jeff's career that stand out for me.

Jeff Beck Group - Shapes of Things

Although the Yardbirds' version was Jimmy Page this version steamrollers you into submission.

Jeff Beck with Rod Stewart - People Get Ready

When you start off with a great song and add Jeff Beck's guitar and Rod Stewart's voice you get this absolute treasure.

Yardbirds - Over, Under, Sideways, Down

I love the main riff in this, and the all over the place lyrics and stop start form of the song.

Beck Bogert & Appice - Superstition

Slowed down and ponderous, monstrous version of the Stevie Wonder original, another direction that Beck showed that he could take.

Yardbirds (Beck and Page) - Stroll On from the film "Blow Up"

Mini-skirted mods, swinging London go-go scenes. Cool 1960s fashions. The Yardbirds with Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page with guitar destruction thrown in a Michelangelo Antonioni Masterpiece!

Jeff Beck - She's A Woman

This was originally from the "Blow By Blow" album but I have included this live version from the BBC's 'Sing The Beatles' so you can see him using the voice box and still keeping the spirit of the song.

Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp - This is a Song for Miss Hedy Lamarr

This is a beautiful tribute to an amazing woman from Beck and Depp. A Song you definitely have to take time to listen to, and you have these beautiful sentiments emphasised by Beck's amazing guitar runs.

Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp - Isolation

This was their first single together, a great take on the John Lennon song.

Jeff Beck - Beck's Bolero

A suitable place to end this piece with this amazing performance. I think this was originally the "B" side of "Hi Ho Silver Lining" which was a decent sixties pop song, but this knocked the "A" side out of the park, and this live take really showcases his talent and sound to great effect.