Customer Reviews

Beck, Bogert and Appice Live

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First off, I have been a Jeff Beck fan since the Yardbirds. I always was mystified as to why this album was only released in Japan. Now 30+ years after its release I understand why. It's not bad. Some of it is quite good. But it suffers from a lot of the '70's excesses that weren't that great back then (mandatory drum solos, audience call and response, etc.). Mostly, I expected much more flash from Beck and less Bogert and Appice. I still mostly love the studio album, but had bigger expectations for the live show having seen them do a monster version of "Morning Dew" on In Concert or some other '70's music show.

Bottom line: If you can somehow find a cheap copy it is no disgrace to your collection, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it at Japanese import prices.

The BBA disc was one of my fave Classic Rock albums of this era. I was in my teens, playing in a power trio and this what I really hoped to sound like someday - balls-out rocking, good singing, ferocious rhythm section, chops galore! I was always disappointed that there wasn't a second album.

This set is especially noteworthy for drummers and bassists because you get to hear the interplay of one of the greatest Hard Rock batteries of all time. There's Moon and Entwistle, Jones and Bonham, Geezer and Ward, Glover and Paice and then there's these guys! Few bass/drum combos played with such ferocity in this era. Bogert and Appice are at the top of their game even for them; playing with an intensity they only equal on Vanilla Fudge's "Near the Beginning" and some of the best Cactus tracks.

If you are a real fan of the musicians involved (as I am) or if the studio album was one of your absolute FAVES, then this is disc is for you. Otherwise, it's not really a must-have.

My vinyl copy of this (in excellent condition) sounds great. It's well recorded, with minimized audience sound. Beck displays his signature guitar work over the rockin' rhythm section of Appice and Bogart. They had been playing together as Vanilla Fudge, and then as Cactus for years before joining up with Beck finally, after he recovered from injuries from a car wreck. If you haven't heard the two Cactus "Live and Unleashed" double -CD`s, seek them out immediately. I think Rhino has some of Vol. 2 left. That band rocked!

Beck is understated here, but does some nice work. There is use of the dreaded "squawk box", but it is a more understated use of it, compared to say.... Peter Frampton or Joe Walsh. His sound as always is wonderful.

Tim and Carmine's vocals are very much like their soulful Vanilla Fudge sound. This is of it's time, but a nice find if you can find it at the right price, for the enthusiast of this era, and of these artists.

Back in the 70s this recording was only available as a hard to find, high priced

vinyl import. It's still to pricey for what you get. Don't get me wrong, I love all of the guys in this band. I'm a BIG fan of their work. It's just that this

group had it's flaws. Sure, they were all great players, and the recording quality

here is first rate. What the group lacked was a singer. Tim and Carmine could carry a tune but they were background singers at best. That hurts the overall performance. Beck is still Beck. I love his playing. I never get tired of listening to him. The other two tend to overplay,good as they are, especially Tim Bogart.( but he's always done that. Check out some of the Vanilla Fudge clips on YouTube). I recently listened to the whole album straight thru and it got a little tedious after awhile. (call and response stuff is a little annoying).

This is not a record you will put on and listen to over and over.

I would only recommend this to Beck completists. Instead, (if you don't already have them) pick up Beck's "Truth" or "Ola" albums or the first three Cactus albums for better examples of balls to the wall Blues/Boogie rocknRoll by these three gents.

I initially had trouble finding this anywhere and then put it off due to the price. I finally broke down and I'm glad I got it. I saw them live in Boston and this was pretty much the same concert. The recording represents the live sound very well. Early 70's Beck, a spectacle for the eye as well as the ear. Could play a jaw dropping guitar lead fill with his left hand while patting his mouth as if yawning with his right. The unmistakable Beck phrasing and signature guitar "voice" is on full display here.

An excellent transfer to CD of the hard to find japanese 2 disc set. Sounds great, despite the presence of 1/2 of Vanilla Fudge. Beck's guitar is amazing well recorded.

This is one of the best live albums of its era. The power trio format leaves nothing but room for the master, Mr. Beck, to play as few can. Not a note is wasted. I see from other reviews that people are less than satified with the abilities of Carmine and Tim. While their playing can indeed be over the top and bombastic at times, when they hit it right they become a powerful canvas for Jeff to paint over. The vocals? Who cares? Nobody buys this expecting stellar singing. Also, it should be noted that Led Zeppelin "borrowed" (that is the nice way of putting it) their entire template from both Jeff Beck and Carmine and Timmy's older group Vanilla Fudge. So enjoy this for what it is, the originators of Heavy Rock doing it to death!!!

Jeff got to play with his dream rythmn section,and got bored with them too. Get all the artifacts you can of this collaboration--cause,in ways only Jeff Beck fans seem to appreciate, there never was, and never will be, ANYTHING like it.

... and just as well, considering the price! You'll never get more sound out of 3 musicians but most of all you have Jeff Beck - thankfully playing blues and rock, at which he is unsurpassable.