Customer Reviews

Rock & Roll Party: Honoring Les Paul

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Les Paul was a bona fide genius. I've played acoustic and electric guitar, as well as tenor and baritone sax (although nowhere near the level of the guys on this DVD), for many years so I know what kind of monster musicianship went into playing it. In case you didn't know, Les Paul (and his friend Leo Fender, working separately and whose last name you should also recognize) had everything to do with the invention of the electric guitar. In addition, Les Paul invented recording studio techniques that are still in use today. Though the equipment has changed, those techniques are still the same. Everyone who uses a recording studio today - including myself - is still using many of those same techniques today.

I first saw the edited PBS version and just HAD to buy the DVD. Take it from an old-school rock'n'roller: I'm telling you THIS SHOW IS NOT TO BE MISSED! The show was recorded on what would have been Les Paul's 95th birthday in 2010 in a tiny club in NYC. You'll have a better seat than anyone who was actually at this invitation-only event.

The show features the amazing guitar work of Jeff Beck, the gorgeous Irish vocalist Imelda May, who, when she covers the 1950's Les Paul and Mary Ford records contained in the show, is a dead ringer for Mary Ford. Ms. May did the same trick Ms. Ford did on the original Paul and Ford Records of the 1950's (one of Les Paul's many inventions) - she pre-recorded the harmony vocals on such songs as "How High The Moon", "Mockingbird Hill", "Tiger Rag" and more - and sang the lead vocal live with the band and the recorded harmony tracks - essentially singing harmony with herself. Each of the guest artists came out in turn and did their stuff, and boy, did they do it UP! The show features a great horn section for some of the tunes, such as the theme from "Peter Gunn", plus Brian Setzer, Gary U.S. Bonds and lots more. If you're a fan of REAL rock 'n' roll, you are going to want this DVD or Blu-Ray disc in your collection...and you'll want to turn it up!!!

The Irridium show itself is fabulous. As if things couldn't get any better, there are a plethora of extras on this disc that are certainly worth mentioning.

There's a 15-minute bit with JB in his home with some of his most treasured guitars, relating a story to each one, that is just fascinating to watch. A Strat gifted from John McLaughlin? The Seymour Duncan "Tele-Gib" traded for the 1954 Yardbirds-era Esquire, and subsequent regret? A plastic guitar from Jimmy Page? A '54 Sunburst Strat that some guy just GAVE him? The "workhorse" Telecaster? Yep, pretty kewl stuff!

There's 1983 concert footage of JB playing live with Les Paul that's a hoot; LP tries to yank Beck's cord out of his Strat after a particularly blistering solo, and JB then tries to return the joke by de-tuning LP's; all in great fun.

From the same show, there's a Les Paul solo performance where he showcases his "little black box", which allows him to first layer several tracks spontaneously, then play lead over them. It reminds you just how much of a genius this guy was, not only as a musician, but as an inventor and engineer.

Then there's a long interview with JB. It's unfortunately marred by an annoying Entertainment Tonight/Access Hollywood-wannabe who obviously attended The Diane Saywer School Of Overanimated Interviewing. JB does relate a lot of his early life and influences, both from his family and music, and the over-acting-fake-tan-bimbo aside, it's damn interesting.

All of this may get overlooked with the other reviews in the excitement of the Irridium show, but anyone who is interested in purchasing this great DVD should know what else lies in store.

This event with Jeff Beck was recorded at the Iridium Club in New York, the same place the late great Les Paul held court each Monday. I was lucky to see one of these Les Paul mondays a few years ago and Jeff's tribute is entertaining and touching.

Jeff plays guitar, and I think he's the best player alive now. He is a innovator, crosses musical boundaries and definitions, plus is an incredible mimic: THE most stunning part of this session is his duet with Imelda May, performing the early Les Paul and Mary Ford hits in real time with that Les Paul sound. They prerecorded Imelda May's vocals and multiplied them to get the lush texture that was Mary's multi-track vocal signature.

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PS: the less than 5 stars review is for the last third of the concert where everyone tries to "big band." The event and manages to just get loud. Not a reason to dismiss the whole event, but "top this" is a convention in any concert where they try to end on a "high note."

OK - I confess to being a hardcore Beck fan. But this DVD is the one that will pull in anyone who had wondered what the "buzz" about Jeff Beck is. He does spot-on versions of songs that you have probably heard from the original sources (Les Paul & Mary Ford, for example) - but his playing is in homage to the sources, and is not overly modified, as too many artists would have done.

And..."The Train Kept A Rollin' " is worth the price alone. You hear Jeff do a nod to his Yardbird days, yet retain the aura of the original song. Wow.

Imelda May adds vocals on about half of the twenty tracks - and she is amazing. Her obvious love for the music pops right out of the screen. The rest of the musicians are likewise stellar - including Imelda's husband, Darrel Higham on guitar and vocals (he was part of Jeff's Big Time Playboy band, and added chops to the "Crazy Legs" CD,also a classic).

Among the added tracks on the DVD there are a great interview with Jeff, a clip of him showing off his "toys" (a guitar selection to die for!)and two pieces with Les Paul showing why he will always be remembered both as an artist and an inventor. The clip of him and Jeff jamming in the '80s is joyful and charming. Talk about loving what you get paid to do!

I plan on loaning this DVD out to my friends - the ones who wonder why I am such a Beckophile. I'm sure it will blow them away as much as it has blown ME away.

Really late last night i was flipping the channels and happen to see a 'rockabilly' concert going on at PBS. I stopped to watch awhile. I'm sure I had heard the singer before (Big Sandy?)....but who is that great guitarist next to him? He sure looks a lot like Jeff Beck? He plays blistering solos (short and compact, true to songs of the era) like Jeff Beck.

Jeff Beck is a rock/jazz fusion genius, it can't be him playing sideman on a rockabilly band? Then they brought out this beautiful singer that looks a lot like Scarlett Johansen with a weird hair-do, and she beautifully sang 50's songs with what sounded like 2 of the Puppini Sisters. I wondered if I was dreaming?

Finally, they had a 'pledge break'...OMG! It WAS Jeff Beck!!! The singer is new to me; Imelda May, from Ireland.

You read the details above about the concert and the over-dubbing trick of Imelda. All I can add is that this was great, a lot of fun, and makes me appreciate these classic songs anew. I'm only bummed I have to wait to get the CD, and I'm on my way to find some Imelda May albums.

For one night only - June 9, 2010 -,a date that would have celebrated guitarist/inventor/music legend Les Paul's 95th Birthday ( he died 8/19/2009 at age 94), rock guitarist Jeff Beck hosted "party" at the small 200-seat Iridium Jazz Club in New York City. In the audience were names like David Bowie, Meat Loaf and Steven Van Zandt. But they didn't take the stage. On stage, and captured on video, were Beck along with British rockabilly singer Imelda May and her band. For 90 minutes there was, virtually, non-stop music. Beck gets about 10 words out of his mouth, but does all his communicating with his fingers on the fretboard. May sings on about half of the 27 songs performed and there are one-shot vocals by guests Gary U.S. Bonds and Stray Cat Brian Setzer. Beck does his solo thing on Paul classics like "Sleepwalk" and "Peter Gunn".

But it's not ALL rock and roll. While Paul's early Trio work is mostly overlooked, there is a large segment devoted to his Capitol years and the recordings he made with then-wife Mary Ford. May uses vocal tape looping (pre-recorded) to do a creditable re-creation of Ford's vocals on their hits "The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise" and "Vaya Con Dios". As the program progresses, Beck takes the beat more into rock and roll territory but never breaks a sweat. Paul never had ROCK hits but that isn't to say he couldn't play rock guitar. (After all he invested the solid body electric guitar which Beck plays.).

The concert itself would be a reason to get this DVD but the bonuses make it a must have. First there is a 26-minute interview with Beck at his home in the UK. Next is an 18-minute "Behind the Scenes" featurette that mostly shows Beck's fans anxious to see him. (Paul is rarely mentioned). Two performances of Paul playing with Beck in 1983 (From the Rock `n Roll Tonite TV show) show how Paul could match - or beat - Beck at hard rock if he wanted. There's a 14-minute section on Beck and his large guitar collection and a four-minute performance of Paul (again from 1983) demonstrating his patented "black box" which allowed him to layer his guitar sound.

I can't think of any music fan - whether a young kid just starting out on guitar or a baby boomer who remembers Paul from his 45 hits with Ford - not getting a lot of enjoyment from this DVD.

Steve Ramm

"Anything Phonographic"

I think what is missed in all the reviews is the fact that Jeff Beck is not even the best part of this performance. Sure, Jeff can play this style he grew up with as good as anyone, but the real focus here should be Imelda May and her band. First, Imelda May's vocals are why Jeff Beck decided to do a project like this in the first place. She is an amazing blues/rockabilly singer who has really created her own sound in recent years. Her husband Darrel Higham is also singing lead vocals throughout the show. Darrel is an incredible lead guitarist and fantastic vocalist in his own write. Trust me, had Darrel been playing lead guitar, he would have MORE than held his own against Beck or Setzer. Jeff is icing on the cake with Imelda May's drummer and bass player and Darrel really keeping this "train rolling"!

I'm not particularly a fan of Jeff Beck's own music but I do truly appreciate what he has done in creating his own unique playing style. He is truly a master of the guitar. I just happen to like more blues in my rock. His history in The Yard Birds is also of interest to me since Jimmy Page is at the top of my favorite players list. I enjoy seeing deserving people honored and appreciate the exceptional character of people big enough to give such honor as Mr. Beck does here for Les Paul. This night's performance is very 50s rock-n-roll and as such is not my personal favorite style of music but no one can argue how well those assembled here cover that classic genre. I was especially impressed with Imelda May's multi-track covering of Mary Ford's vocals as Jeff belted out the classic Les Paul guitar parts. Even to a hard core hard rock and heavy blues fan (Led Zep, Aerosmith, Badlands, Bad Company, Cry of Love, Rainbow, Gary Moore, etc)those songs IMHO are musical brilliance. Les was way ahead of his time in his playing technique, skill and methods, not to mention his legendary recording studio techniques. Mary Ford's singing was perfect for those songs as well. Thanks also go to Les Paul for pushing Gibson to create my favorite guitar. Had Gibson payed his ideas more attention sooner, they might have had advantage over Leo Fender's Stratocaster. but then again, it is Les who is being honored with this lineup of very talented musicians. I highly recommend watching the Video of Les' life story, interviews and historic footage of he & Mary Ford called Les Paul - Chasing Sound, you'll likely enjoy it at least as much as this night's performance. His contribution to the world of music can't be overstated. The same can be said of Jeff Beck. I'm very happy to have this production alongside all my music concert videos.

I followed Jeff Beck off and on starting during the Yardbirds and Rod Stewart/Faces days. Sometimes I liked what he did, sometimes not. He dropped off my radar screen during the 90's. My wife recently heard his interpretation of "Nessun Dorma" on the radio and asked me if I knew who Jeff Beck was. That question led to my rediscovery of Jeff Beck and his current work, including a purchase of his album "Emotion and Commotion" and seeing him in concert for the first time. I purchased "Rock and Roll Party" on a whim for two reasons: I love old rock and roll, and I wanted to see what Jeff Beck would do with it.

This video is just plain fun. the songs sound great. The backup band is the same one that plays the rockabilly set on the "Live at Ronnie Scott's" DVD, with the inclusion of Imelda May as vocalist. I know little about the band and Imelda May but they are very good on this video. Beck plays the music "straight up", sticking closely to the original arangements (or closely enough that my admittedly sketchy memory didn't notice any major differences). The solos are phenomenal. It is amazing to watch Jeff Beck at work.

The guest musicians are good. Beck gives them their due and lets them play without trampling them with his guitar wizardry. They do not detract from the overall presentation, although one or two of the saxaphone solos didn't really add to the songs.

The video bears repeat viewing, both for the music and to try and recognize people in the audience (how many can you name?!). My wife and I have watched it several times, and my children (ages 11 and under) love to dance to the music. This was a great buy for the whole family.

Havent watched a DVD this much since "Live At Ronnie Scotts"; Beck continues to amaze.Plus a bonus---my wife likes it!My feelings about this are the same as all the rest of the 5star reviews.Id like to add the fact that the horn section contains some pretty heavy hitters also.Google up Leo Green,or Dave Prisman-household names in the music world,playin with just about everyone.Also we all know Blue Lou Marini from the Blues Brothers(looking a little more gray,but arent we all).Imelda May just freakin blows my mind as well.Her band is amazing.Sitting in my Lazy Boy and watching and listening to this on a fine system for 15$ is a no brainer for me and should be for anyone who appreciates fine music.