Customer Reviews

Live With the Jan Hammer Group

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Having read the previous reviews I feel as if I'm not referring to the same record. But, as those old Latin guys said, "de gustibus non est disputandum". This 1977 live recording was made in a decade in which Frank Zappa so aptly declared that "Jazz is not dead... it just smells funny". Many jazz and rock credentials were tainted by failed attempts to turn the flirting between jazz and rock into a 'lasting relationship', and a number of records from that era are best left forgotten. This one, however, is not among those. On the contrary, it portrays a successful concert of a cohesive group of impressive musicians providing ample opportunities to hear just why is Jeff Beck indisputably one of the most amazing guitarists in popular music. Charmingly outdated (if only slightly) recording of a very good (sound) quality from the days when synthesizers were still monophonic, this record features inspired and passionate playing of Jeff Beck (g), Jan Hammer (ky, v), Fernando Saunders (b, g, v), Tony Smith (d, v) and Steve Kindler (vn, syn, g). Among rather uneven records of Jeff Beck, this is one of the few that has my undivided attention every time I listen to it. I'd give it solid 4 stars but I'll add one more in an attempt to increase the overall rating - Jeff deserves it.

Several reviews here seem to be from disgruntled Beck fans who resent the fact that Jan Hammer has horned in on the keyboard. Indeed, this album might as well have been titled The Jan Hammer Group with Jeff Beck, but the point is the same:
This is a top-notch fusion jam, made all the more impressive by the fact that it was recorded live. The smooth tones produced on Beck's studio work may be missing, but are more than made up for by the sheer energy of the ensemble players in this group.
The interplay between Beck and Hammer recalls that of Hammer and the late Tommy Bolin on Billy Cobham's Spectrum album, with Freeway Jam, Darkness/Earth in Search of a Sun, Scatterbrain and Blue Wind producing some of the best solo work. Other than the reggae-tinged version of She's a Woman, most of the tunes are anchored by a solid, funk-laced rhythm that recalls not only the fusion work of Cobham and Alphonse Mouzon, but, on Full Moon Boogie, a nod to Earth Wind & Fire.
I'll concede that the vocals are hideous (and frankly unnecessary in fusion), but fortunately there are few of them.
This is certainly as much Jan Hammer as Jeff Beck, and Beck purists may never aquire a taste for this album. But I'll take it over all of Beck's work, with the possible exception of Blow by Blow, and rate it a must-listen for fans of high-powered, guitar/keyboard fusion riffs.

I admit, I bought this because I love Jeff Beck from the 70's fusion era. Of course i'd heard of Jan Hammer, from the Mahavishnu Orchestra and elsewhere, but i'd not really heard him do much virtuoso stuff except with Beck on "Wired". Here, it's basically the Jan Hammer Group, with Jeff Beck accompanying. None of Beck's band mates from his albums of the period are on this live album, except of course Hammer. Now, let me go through the tracks. "Freeway Jam" is very cool here, it starts out with Beck and Hammer imitating car horns and things like that, and they jam out for a good 6 minutes after that. Beck is the star here of course, he plays some great solos, lots of whammy bar bends and whatnot. Hammer is doing ok too though, I think he's holding back since it's one of Beck's most well-known tracks. "Earth's Our Only Home" is of Hammer's creation, he sings here and plays some wacky synth stuff, a little bit of latin percussion and things like that. It sucks the first couple listens, but it just might grow on you. "She's a Woman" is very cool here in this live version, much more ska-ed out than the studio one, less voice box (which Beck was doing before Peter Frampton, BTW), just enough guitar to satisfy. "Full Moon Boogie" is a kinda southern-esque jam in G, more voice box from Beck, a different, albeit better, vocalist, it's what it says, a boogie. There's plenty of violin here (the disc says Hammer co-wrote with Jerry Goodman, the violinist from Mahavishnu), guitar, synths, all that buisness. "Darkness...." is the first track where Hammer really starts to dominate as soloist. He plays a dark, intense moog solo for the first 2-3 minutes, and it's definetly worth listening to. Beck is not as strong a presence on this track, maybe because Hammer wrote it. Next track is "Scatterbrain"...I loved the album version, it's near-perfect...however, on here, it's not BAD or anything, just not my favorite! Of course, people who like jams will dig this track. There's a lot of guitar playing, synths (Hammer plays a cool slap bass synth), and it definetly rocks. Last is "Blue Wind", from the "Wired" disc. It's probably the one of all that's most similar to it's album version, except Beck REALLY burns here! It is heavy, I really like it! All in all, the CD is worth the measley 10 dollars, you guitar and synth freaks will love it, you Satriani fans might like it except for the singing.....it will appeal to a lot of people, probably more middle-aged than younger though. Go see Jeff Beck live if you get the chance!

This album has some of the most incredible live guitar playing I have ever experienced. The jamming between Jeff and Jan is beyond words. The solos by Jeff on Freeway Jam, Blue Wind and Earth will never be matched in a live situation for ingenuity, gut feel, sonic boom tonal purity and for pulling every last sound out of a Stratocaster. I listen to all types of music and all types of guitarists, but this album displays the electric guitar and amplifier in a manner that goes beyond hearing, it's surreal......

Overall, this is not a bad CD and, in fact, at $9.97, it's hard to turn down. Essentially, what you get is 7 songs featuring Jeff Beck on lead guitar backed up by, and sometimes overpowered by, Hammer's organ and the Hammer group.

Jeff performs his "Freeway Jam", "She's a Woman", and "Scatterbrain" from his "Blow by Blow" CD and "Blue Wind" from the CD "Wired" (both CD's sell for $7.99 on Amazon). Personally, I prefer the studio quality and performance of these songs, but then again, you don't have Hammer's fusion music on those discs. As with most live performances in the 70's, the quality of the recording is not great and could use some digital remastering to bring it up to todays standards.

This album was always knocked b/c of the over influence by Jan Hammer. That assessment is so inaccurate since the knock on Jeff Beck is that he cannot write songs, carry a band, and act as a frontman. He always needed a collaborator...enter Jan Hammer.

What is Beck's best works but "Blow by Blow" and "Wired" ... Jan Hammer influenced works?!

This a showcase of musicianship and Hammer's keyboards enhances the guitar playing, it does not detract it.

"Freeway Jam" is extended from what it was in the studio. As much as it is a guitar song, it needs heavy keyboards. It is a great rendition.

"Fool moon boogie" and "Earth" are groove tunes that allow the guitar and keyboard, trading back and forth, to establish and carry the rhythm.

"Scatterbrain" is a genuine jazz (not fusion) song.

"She's a woman" takes a Beatle's song and turns it on it's head utilizing its basic form to showcase innovative musicianship.

"Blue Wind", the closer, rev's up everything, goes for the jugular, and rocks, rocks, rocks! It takes teh great studio song and opens it up in every direction.

Beck's greatest success was in the 1970's, when he played his fusion stuff. Why would a live album, reflective of his most successful period, not be considered triumphant?

I highly recommend this.

I saw this band, playing this set, in Perth, Western Australia god know's how long ago, I knew I wasn't old enough to drive...
Remembering that all this music was done 'live' before click tracks or on stage sequencers, this was amazing.
Some of the most amazing synth solos and comping from Jan Hammer, one of the true stylists, at his most dexterous...And Jeff Beck (with whom I wasn't really familiar at the time, though I knew he was a heavyweight...) is the perfect partner. This band had an unusual and angular sound that I haven't heard anywhere else.

This cd captures a unique moment in time with some amazing players at the peak of their abilities.

Great and exciting stuff.

This Cd is one of ,but not, the best By Jeff Beck. "FreeWay Jam" is the opener and both Beck and Hammer pull out all of the stops.There is a track ,which is mostly Keyboards, "Darkness/Earth Searching..." that will dissapoint Beck fans that want this to be a purely Jeff Beck recording. Highlights include "Scatterbrain" with the whole band practically exploding, and "Blue Wind" which is a showcase for fans of Beck's Blues/Rock influences. The rest of the disc contains some vocal tracks which ,if you can get past the mediocre singing, have some great playing in them. I prefer to hear a Beck disc which is purely instrumental but there is plenty of Beck's trademark guitar work on the CD to overtake the vocalizations.Athough there are some weaknesses to this CD, Beck fans and Hammer fans should find them small enough to actually take away from the large amount of greatness. Recommended.

This is Beck's best album (which makes it great). Jan Hammer and Jeff explore many genres, and no, nobody's trying to outdo anybody, they're just having fun. These old pros are a little too mature for that. The people who didn't like the vocals probably have never heard funk before, as they resemble Earth Wind and Fire in places. A nice extra.

If I could give it 3.5 stars I would, but I can't, so I'll give it 3. Here's the track analysis:

Freeway Jam: This is probably the best song on the album, a good 6 minutes or so of soloing from both Jeff and Jan.

Earth (Still Our Only Home): Jeff has a cool part in this song, but the singing is horrible. I can't bear to listen to the singing. Cover your ears.

She's a Woman: This version of She's a Woman is very "ska-ed" out, but nonetheless, a pleasure to listen to. Jeff doesn't use the voicebag quite as much as on the album version.

Full Moon Boogie: This is a cool song, and the singing isn't quite as bad as on Earth. Jeff pulls out the voicebag again for this song. Jeff is obviously the star of this one.

Darkness/Earth in Search of a Sun: Jan really rips out his bag of tricks for this one, and Jeff doesn't have as big of a part. Jan has a solo for the first 2-3 minutes of the song, give it a listen, you might like it.

Scatterbrain: Not as good as the album version (as stated in another review), but nonetheless it is pretty cool.

Blue Wind: Jeff really attacks his guitar on this one. A good, tight performance too. Sometimes, however, it is hard to tell when Jeff is playing and when Jan is, their instruments sound almost identical.

Overall, it is definatley worth 10 bucks, and I wish I could give it 3.5 stars, but I'll settle for 3. Had there have been better singing, the album would probably get 4 stars, but at points the singing is really horrible. Aside from that, it's a solid effort and a good buy.