Jeff

Jeff Beck

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 5, 2003)
• Original Release Date: August 5, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00009MGQL
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (99 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #125,901 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Calling fabled guitar god Jeff Beck "mercurial" doesn't do justice to the word – or the legend himself. While this latest blast of maniacal Beckology seems to form a loose techno-centric triptych with its predecessors, by no means is the guitarist resting on his laurels here. If anything, his continuing collaboration with You Had It Coming producer Andy Wright (aided and deliciously sonically subverted by Splattercell's David Torn and Apollo 440) has yielded one of Beck's most muscular--if willfully challenging--collections of musical future shock. Save for the elegant, orchestra-backed take on the traditional folk of "Bulgaria" and introspective respite of "Line Dance with Monkey' and "JB's Blues," the guitarist seems to have little interest in traditional lyricism here, instead coaxing an inventive maelstrom of unearthly, metallic timbres and alien modalities from his instrument on the angular "Trouble Man," the hypnotic grooves of "So What" and the Torn-icated, melodic minimalism of "Plan B." On "Grease Monkey" and "Hot Rod Honeymoon," Apollo 440 playfully fold Beck's notorious car-culture fetishes into an ironic sonic origami of retro-samples and tense electro-rhythms, the latter highlighted by his neo-country chicken-pickin' and incomparable slide work. That track may be cast as mock Beach Boys car tune, but there's definitely nothing nostalgic about the evocative, often hard-edged mood here; it might as well be subtitled "Beck to the Future." --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delicious, rockin guitar madness for the new millenium from the "original" Beck, December 6, 2005

By	David Biedny - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Why is it that folks can't seem to understand that musicians - particularly those blessed with amazing talents - want to expand and break out of the molds they're cast into? I've read all these Amazon comments about Beck going techno with this album, and after listening to it more than a few times, it seems like this is the kind of record that Jimi Hendrix would be happy to make if he were still alive. Jeff Beck is consistently out on the bleeding edge, making new music and coaxing wild new sounds from his guitar, and I hope he continues to push the boundaries for many years to come.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Jeff" proves the last two were no fluke!, September 27, 2003

By	D. Caudwell (East Sussex , United Kingdom) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Jeff Beck's a rarity! A fully paid-up member of the 60's rock guitar aristocracy, he has always been at LEAST one step ahead of the pack. Never content to mark time or rehash old ideas, Beck had hardly finished drawing up the blueprint for 70's hard rock and metal when he was off into fusion hyperspace with Jan Hammer. And always, whether working on his own projects or playing hired gun for the likes of Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner or Mick Jagger, Jeff NEVER sounds like anyone but himself!! Anyway, that was then! So where do we find his restless spirit in this new century? Deep in techno territory, totally immersed in sounds normally associated with under 25s and not only sounding completely at home but obviously having a blast!
More in the vein of "You had it coming" than "Who Else?" this one floors it from the off with furious beats and nasty automotive tones abounding and the guitar poking through in all the right places. As other reviewers have noted, the guitar plays a more textural, organic role on many of the tracks: witness the tasty slide riffs on "Plan B" and the in-the-pocket, chicken-fried funk of "Pay Me No Mind". But just when you think you've got a handle on the man, Beck pulls out an ecstatic solo like those in "Seasons" or "Bulgaria" and clean takes your breath away! Have mercy!! Six strings speaking in tongues - Carlos himself would be proud!!
I defy any player of ANY generation to produce anything as cutting edge and totally genuine as this - make no mistake, this 59 year old rocker's on a roll!

...so WHAT are you waiting for? One-click-it!!

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Modern guitar rock!, August 8, 2003

By	Ryan (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

Let's cut to the chase and talk about the songs on Jeff:

So What: Great way to start the album. Good playing. 5/5

Plan B: Great beat and excellent solos throughout. Nice tone. 5/5

Pork-U-Pine: interesting phrasing and melodies. Not as good as the last two song but still good. Grows on you over time. 4/5

Seasons: My personal favorite. Beautiful guitar playing and a great song overall. 5/5

Trouble Man: The intro is a little much but the rest of the song is great. 4/5

Grease Monkey: Fun song with great car sounds from the guitar. 5/5

Hot Rod Honeymoon: Fast paced, finger picking tune. Voiceovers are a little much at first but not too bad. 4/5

Line Dancing With Monkeys: Very cool dynamics and effective playing. As good as Seasons. 5/5

JB's Blues: Very emotive and some great guitar playing. 5/5

Pay Me No Mind: Funky song with full vocals, nice Telecaster playing. 4/5

My Thing: Rocking track with effective changes in tempo and dynamics. Great playing. 5/5

Bulgaria: Beautiful and soaring guitar playing, like a voice. 5/5

Why Lord Oh Why?: Excellent ending track, great playing that is both beautiful and mysterious. 5/5

Average: 4.6 which would round up to 5 stars. Recommended to all who enjoy adventurous guitar playing and good music in general.