Jeff Beck - The Master of His Craft
Having caught Jeff Beck at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York last evening (9/12), I remain convinced that his guitar playing may be the closest any player has come to replicating the communicative timbre and expressive cadence of the human voice. He has an innate sense of melody. His playing has a tone, soul, touch and total control that is incomparable, and ultimately musical in its lyricism.
In my opinion, he is now the lone and conquering survivor of a peer group including Hendrix, Page and Clapton. Yes, I'm sure many would argue that these next words will be blasphemous to utter, but Jimi is dead, and has been for 36 years this coming Monday. We will never know what he would have achieved with his playing, so it is a somewhat fruitless exercise pondering. Jimmy Page's best playing is now 30 years gone and for Eric, well the Cream reunion last year can't nearly compare to what I saw last night. My apologies to Eric's fans, he is not Jeff Beck -- and Eric even said as much over 20 years ago. Jeff is here and very now.
Not only is he still relevant, but he's at the peak of his already considerable powers. He has energy, attitude, aggression and sensitivity, all wrapped into one six string package. Simply put, he is the master (and many would argue the inventor) of his craft. To me, there is none better.
So, not to sound too sappy, many who saw him last night may agree with what I'm about to say. Upon hearing his last notes of the evening, I was hit with a wave of waxing melancholy that did not go quickly away into the night -- a feeling that I had just seen an old friend for the last time waving his farewell. Ya see, he just celebrated his 62nd birthday. His music has brought me profound joy for decades. There will not be that many more, if any, opportunities to see him and hear his playing again. We are all mortal. Our lives are so enriched by his mastery.
You must see him on this tour if you have the chance. He is an icon - our icon, our last remaining "guitar hero".
Having caught Jeff Beck at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York last evening (9/12), I remain convinced that his guitar playing may be the closest any player has come to replicating the communicative timbre and expressive cadence of the human voice. He has an innate sense of melody. His playing has a tone, soul, touch and total control that is incomparable, and ultimately musical in its lyricism.
In my opinion, he is now the lone and conquering survivor of a peer group including Hendrix, Page and Clapton. Yes, I'm sure many would argue that these next words will be blasphemous to utter, but Jimi is dead, and has been for 36 years this coming Monday. We will never know what he would have achieved with his playing, so it is a somewhat fruitless exercise pondering. Jimmy Page's best playing is now 30 years gone and for Eric, well the Cream reunion last year can't nearly compare to what I saw last night. My apologies to Eric's fans, he is not Jeff Beck -- and Eric even said as much over 20 years ago. Jeff is here and very now.
Not only is he still relevant, but he's at the peak of his already considerable powers. He has energy, attitude, aggression and sensitivity, all wrapped into one six string package. Simply put, he is the master (and many would argue the inventor) of his craft. To me, there is none better.
So, not to sound too sappy, many who saw him last night may agree with what I'm about to say. Upon hearing his last notes of the evening, I was hit with a wave of waxing melancholy that did not go quickly away into the night -- a feeling that I had just seen an old friend for the last time waving his farewell. Ya see, he just celebrated his 62nd birthday. His music has brought me profound joy for decades. There will not be that many more, if any, opportunities to see him and hear his playing again. We are all mortal. Our lives are so enriched by his mastery.
You must see him on this tour if you have the chance. He is an icon - our icon, our last remaining "guitar hero".
posted by Johnny Riffer at 7:25 PM
3 Comments:
For the most part I agree. However, Robin Trower is still pretty strong.
Check this vid:
http://stratoblogster.blogspot.com/2006/08/robin-trower-please-tell-me-big-fat.html
JP
ps I'm really jealous cuz I didn't get to see Jeff Beck this week!
I saw Trower too on 6/29 in NY. I agree, VERY strong as well. The best he's ever played. He's one of my all time's as well, and will get his own RiffZoo piece (soon).
Check out Youtube. I recorded a bunch of songs from the Jeff Beck Concert at the Hammerstein: Just put in the search: Jeff Beck Hammerstein.
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