Customer Reviews

There & Back

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Many reviewers have written that while this album is great Jeff Beck, it's not his best. I tend to agree with that, however this album is definately worth the money.

Anyone familiar with the impressive You Had It Coming (Jeff's newest album) is aware that Jeff is stretching out into electronica territory. With "Star Cycle," he seems to have invented the genre 21 years earlier. A constant keyboard loop is played throughout the song as Mr. Beck executes Jan Hammer's melody perfectly as well as throwing in his usual amazing Beckisms during the solo(s). The next two Hammer tracks feature some great emotional playing by Jeff, but the melodies and Hammer solos do not seem to stack up as well. Perhaps the major fault here is There and Back does not seem to stand the test of time as well as other Jeff Beck albums. Nevertheless, one track that has stood the test is "The Pump." It is probably the standout of There and Back, and features great playing by the whole band. "The Golden Road" is a different story though. The track as a whole is not bad, however I seem to cringe everytime I hear the intro. As we move into "Space Boogie," it is probably the right time to mention that Simon Phillips is an awesome drummer on this album. Simon shines on this track, as does Jeff. The closing track, "The Final Peace," is worth honorable mention. This song features some of Jeff's most emotion playing and is considered by many to be the big brother of Guitar Shop's "Where Were You."

There and Back, while not Jeff Beck's best, is worth your money. You will not be disappointed.

I got this album on vinyl, and on the first spin I was like "okay, well this is good" but didnt listen to it again for quite a while. The next time I heard it, as if by some delayed reaction, I thought "damn, this is AWESOME!". Jeff's guitar playing has the perfect blend of technique/feel/phrasing, but you expect that on even the weakest Jeff Beck album (not that any of his albums could be described as "weak"), brilliant playing is a given. But here, the leads, the melodies and the backing musicians are just outrageous! Its hard to pick favourite tracks, but I really like "Too Much To Lose", "Star Cycle", "The Pump"... Actually, they're all pretty great! This album is definetly up the the standard of "Blow By Blow" or "Wired", in my opinion at least.

Ask anyone who knows me, I'm the biggest Jeff Beck fan around. I'm serious. While There and Back is very good and is one of my favorite albums, it's not one of Jeff's best. It is, however, still worth to buy, because after all--It IS Jeff Beck. Anything with his name on is worth having.

The musicianship, however, is very good. Simon Philips is a great drummer and Tony Hymas does some nice keyboard playing. Jeff's playing is also very good, as always. However, I'm not sure I like all the tunes. The Pump, as stated previously, is the standout tune. Nowadays, it's even better when Jeff performs it live. Star Cycle is quite good, and You Never Know is also pretty strong. However, the other Hammer cut is not as strong as the other two.

Space Boogie and El Becko are fun tunes, and The Final Piece is full of emotion. However, some of the others sound a little too cheesy. Maybe it's the production sound, but it just doesn't sit with me.

Overall, this is worth buying, because Jeff Beck is the greatest guitarist ever, and his playing on most of There and Back is no exception. A good album...but not his best. For his best, check out You Had It Coming (2001), Guitar Shop (1989), Blow by Blow (1975), and Wired (1976).

This has to be one of the best sleeper Rock/Fusion albums to date. I saw this group perform the album live at the Philadelphia Spectrum on October 8th 1980...of the hundreds of concerts that I have seen, the There and Back performance which include an amazing performance from a 23 year old drumming sensation Simon Phillips has to be in my top 5 along with Van Halen opening for Black Sabbath in 1978...I highly recommend getting "There and Back" you will not be disappointed.

I agree with the other reviewer. Beck was definitely at his peak here, especially in all of his collaboration efforts with Jan Hammer. Hammer plays drums and keyboards on the first track. Simon Philips is awesome in his double-bass drum technique in the Boogie number. The Final Peace number predates some of the awesome echoplex guitar work that makes Steve Vai famous. As another drummer reviewing this album, this is Beck's BEST all-around effort; EVERYONE is in top form!

This is an all-instrumental effort from the early-80's, a radically different, refreshing change from one of the world's most talented, under-rated guitarists. The concept is a Space Age sound, an interesting mix of rock and jazz, which he pulled off tremendously well. All of the songs are great, and they enabled him to display his talents to the hilt. I don't miss the singing at all. The instruments are very crisp, with lots of bass and drum. It's the kind of album that you pump up the volume and let it go while you're on the road.

If you buy this, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!

I first heard this album on vinyl and I couldn't help but think to myself could this be one of Jeff Beck's greatest works ever?
The reason for asking is because that it's not only Beck's pyrotechnic guitar work that's the biggest highlight of the album but musos Jan Hammer(who would go on to score two hit instrumentals, THEME FROM MIAMI VICE and CROCKETT'S THEME) and Simon Phillips(who would join Toto) contribute on keyboards/synths and drums respectively, and contribute they do!
Anyway, one of Beck's greatest works? To be frank, you be the judge!

Producer Sir George Martin brought the best out of Jeff Beck in their 1975 and 1976 collaborations (Blow By Blow & Wired). And it was Beck's work with Tony Hymas and Simon Phillips on this June 1980 release that brings some of the more stylish work out of the oftentimes self-indulgent guitar legend.

Hymas (key) and Phillips (d) co-wrote four tracks (The Pump, Becko, Golden Road, Space Boogie), with The Pump one of the greatest rock instrumental pieces ever recorded. The technical aspects of Beck's work is extraordinary, with the band - including bassist Mo Foster - taking the track to brilliant heights. Beck and Hymas co-wrote the final song on the CD, Final Peace.

The trio of compositions by Jan Hammer (Star Cycle, Too Much to Love, You Never Know) are less satisfying, with his keyboards vying for space with Beck's guitar; not working as a cohesive unit. It is fusion colliding with arena rock and the results bring out a hefty dose of ego from both musicians.

This was Beck's only studio release between 1976-1985. It remains a shining star in an oftentimes frustrating and uneven solo career.

"There and Back" is an excellent disc. On this 1980 release, there is a more modern sound than on Beck's late 60's and 70's material, naturally... If you like soulful & expressive electric guitar compositions, then you would really enjoy this disc. We shouldn't overlook Beck's bandmates, as there are playing at a very high level of proficiency and artistic expression as well. Get "There and Back" you will be glad you did. I've always enjoyed this release!

This is an AMAZING CD!!!

I bought the album years ago, and getting the CD brings all the joy back again. Jeff's searing guitar licks cut through the heavy bass backing, and Simon Phillips on Drums wales and these have got to be some of the best tracks he's ever layed down!

You can not buy Star Cycle as a download anywhere, and I'm very glad I bought the whole CD as there is not a bad track on it!

I have been cranking it in my car, home and even in the shower as a big "Wake Me Up!" and the whole neighborhood in the morning!!

A must for any Jeff Beck Fan!!

You won't be dissapointed!

Jimmy Z