To guitar players worldwide, Jeff Beck is one of only a handful of people throughout history who has mastered his instrument. Beck’s appeal reaches far beyond guitar enthusiasts though. Beck’s amazing use of his instrument as a lead vocal is remarkable and commercially appealing, bending ears not normally bent towards instrumental music. Beck is still perhaps best known for being the third guitarist in The Yardbirds (following Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton) and probably the best known AS The Yardbirds guitarist due to most of their hits being written by him during his tenure. To guitar enthusiasts though he is simply Jeff Beck, one of the world’s greatest players.
Live at Ronnie Scott’s was recorded over a series of nights in 2007 and features a wide variety of songs and styles, although all are reasonably grounded in the bluesy rock that Beck is well known for. Pretty much every song is a highlight as Beck conjures up extreme passion with each song. Very few guitarists can make their guitar “gently weep” but beck does it on every single songs. The best examples are the powerful “Angels (Footsteps)” and the Reggae tinged “Behind the Veil,” which reminds me a great deal of the riff from “Buffalo Soldier” but is taken to a much different place through the soloing. “Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers” is another brilliant moment and probably the most moving ballad included. Of course, you have to mention the swaggering “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat/Brush With the Blues” as well as it exemplifies what Beck is all about.
My only complaint here is minor. Beck’s guitar sound gets lost sometimes due to its ethereal sound. I am by no means an expert and probably shouldn’t be even saying this BUT Beck always sounds like he is playing in 1968 and I can’t help but wonder how amazing his technique would be without all the hollow sound. Beck performs amazingly well here though and the set list is great so fans of instrumental works, classic rock, and guitar virtuoso’s need to own this.
Reviewed by Mark Fisher
