Two and a half years ago, I heard that Jeff Beck had died unexpectedly. It sent shockwaves throughout the music world as the media reported the news to fans everywhere. Not knowing that much about his career since the early days, I checked out those reports, went to YouTube to look for his music, and discovered so many riches. Equally at home in different musical genres, this amazing, innovative musician had his own unique style of playing that defied categorization. Jeff was in a class by himself. I shared what I had discovered as a way to appreciate and honor the man: The virtuosity and versatility of Jeff Beck was unique among rock guitarists. One of the best!
From L-R: Jeff Beck, Vinnie Colaiuta, Tal Wilkenfeld, Jason Rebello
I really enjoyed Jeff Beck – Performing This Week… Live at Ronnie Scott’s, with its many outstanding performances, including special guest artists. Accompanying Jeff on guitar were Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Tal Wilkenfeld on bass guitar, and Jason Rebello on keyboards. Amazing musicians in their own right, they produced an exciting cohesive sound. The joy they shared making great music together was self-evident and the audience responded in kind. Surprise guests included Joss Stone, Imogen Heap, and Eric Clapton. One highlight was Jeff using a glass bottleneck slide to delicately tap out high notes at the lowest position on the strings towards the conclusion of Angel (Footsteps), which drew a standing ovation from the audience, and a satisfied smile from Jeff. Beck was interviewed on the success of the 5-night run at Ronnie Scott’s. He talked about each musician and every song on the set list. The show was edited into a 1-hour program for broadcast on the BBC.
But I keep coming back to three sublime pieces from that one-week residency in November 2007 at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London: Stevie Wonder’s Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers* featuring Tal’s impressive bass solo, Imogen Heap singing and riffing her way through a jazzy-bluesy performance of her song Blanket with Jeff contributing two short sublime solos, and Jeff concluding the night with the hauntingly beautiful Where Were You.
*Also see them play that piece at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago Southland July 2007 featuring Tal’s bass solo and Beck repeating his enthusiastic response to her playing.
Guitarist Jeff Beck’s unexpected passing earlier this year took the rock world by surprise. He died suddenly of bacterial meningitis. He was 78. R.I.P. (June 24, 1944–January 11, 2023)
A guitar player’s guitar player, Jeff Beck was considered one of the top five of all time. An eight-time Grammy winner, he was inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—as a member of the Yardbirds, and for his own Jeff Beck Group.
Once news of his sudden passing came out, many of us searched his music online. I was impressed by his amazing virtuosity and versatility. Equally at home in different musical genres, he had his own unique style of playing that defied categorization. Jeff never sang; his guitar did.
Part of Gene’s comment explains: “He is a fusion of blues, soul & progressive rock. He could manipulate the strings, whammy bar, volume & tone knobs simultaneously, with technical mastery, to seamless & absolutely dazzling effect. He had voice on the guitar that was exceedingly rare and distinct.”
Accompanying Jeff were Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Tal Wilkenfeld on bass guitar, and Jason Rebello on keyboards. Amazing musicians in their own right, they produced an exciting cohesive sound. The joy they shared making great music together showed on their smiling faces. One highlight was Jeff using a glass bottleneck slide to delicately tap out high notes at the lowest position on the strings in Angel (Footsteps), which drew a standing ovation from the audience, and a pleasing smile from Jeff. The evening’s 21 performances included a few surprise guest appearances, like Joss Stone and Eric Clapton. But the one that stood out for me was Imogen Heap. She sang and riffed her way through a jazzy-bluesy performance of Blanket, weaving her magic, enthralling the lucky attendees. The band grooved, and Jeff deftly, tastefully, contributed two short sublime solos (1 & 2). The camera caught a few famous musicians in the crowd, among them lifelong friend Jimmy Page beaming after A Day in the Life. Jeff concluded the night with the hauntingly beautiful Where Were You, from his 1989 album Jeff Beck’s Guitar Shop. Jeff was interviewed on the success of the 5-night run at Ronnie Scott’s. He talked about each musician and every song on the set list. The show was edited into a 1-hour program for broadcast on the BBC. In 2009, it was released on DVD, Blu-ray, Multi-Format, and Prime Video. In 2015, a Deluxe Edition came out with all 28 songs on 2 CDs (1h 54m), including the Extra 7-song Rockabilly set with Beck and the Big Town Playboys, available on Spotify.
I embedded those previously listed videos for your enjoyment, plus one.
Jeff Beck beautifully played all of Women of Ireland, Live in Moscow at Crocus City 2010, and with violinist Lizzie Ball Live at Madison Square Garden 2013. “Mná na hÉireann” (Women of Ireland), a poem written by Ulster poet Peadar Ó Doirnín (1704–1796), became famous as a song.
It seems appropriate to conclude with Jeff Beck playing Elegy for Dunkirk featuring classical singer Olivia Safe, the 10th and final number on his album Emotion & Commotion (2010). The album was nominated for 5 Grammy awards and won two.
Elegy for Dunkirk is part of the OST composed by Dario Marianelli for the film Atonement (2007). It was performed by the English Chamber Orchestra featuring pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet and cellist Caroline Dale. In 2008, it won the Academy Award for Original Music Score and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score. Marianelli also received three awards for Film Score of the Year, Best Original Score, and Film Music Composition of the Year for “Elegy for Dunkirk” in the International Film Music Critics Association Awards.
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