"There's a difference between playing music and being music and that's how he's set apart because he is music."
I watched this excellent documentary about virtuoso electric guitarist Jeff Beck several days ago; I continue to ponder it. Jeff's genius is so stunning to me, it's hard to process in some ways.
Beck, who was inspired after hearing Les Paul's innovative '50s recordings and rockabilly and rock n' roll, played hard rock, fusion, R&B, amd more. He made his guitar sound like the voice of an Indian singer, shredded the sounds, and played in unique styles that he innovated; he was a pioneer, a revolutionary player, he used the guitar as an extension of himself. Jeff Beck was sensational. How can someone have that much talent? A few of my takeaways:
1) Beck listened to and studied every type of music; he was a perpetual and open-minded student.
2) He approached his playing with habitual freshness. He said about himself, "The guitar is a constant challenge. Everytime I pick it up I pretend that I've just started playing and it seems to work."
3) He was a creative risk taker who continually tried new things, including being inspired by the Mahavishnu Orchestra.
4) He didn't compromise his integrity, even when it meant leaving his group days before Woodstock or taking time away from music to devote to his beloved hot rods and personal life.
5) He was lucky, in the right place at the right time, such as demonstrated by his auspicious meeting with Rod Stewart.
6) He worked with many other greats, such as the musicians who showed up to praise him in this film and so many more. George Martin said "he sings with his guitar."
7) He changed as required, becoming an instrumentalist after having worked with Rod Stewart and realizing that he couldn't find another male voice like that to accompany his playing.
8 ) He worked with top female vocal artists Joss Stone, Imelda May, Beth Hart, Rosie Bones, and other female musicians.
9) He worked with experts such as drummer Cozy Powell, and bass player Ron Wood, also Stevie Wonder to name only a few.
10) He has a gift and worked hard to continually develop it.
Throughout the film we often see Jeff building hot rodrods during his interview portion; there is outstanding concert footage that spans his career; and the usual talking head portion of the doc -- in this case, some of the best rock and roll guitarists, (friends and former bandmates and collaborators), including old friend and Yardbirds mate Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Slash, Joe Perry, and Carmen Vandenberg, who geninely revere him. Also Jan Hammer, Rod Stewart, Joss Stone, Imelda May, Beth Hart, and Rosie Bone sing his praises as musician and outstanding person. In sum, Jeff Beck is admired by the Cream of the crop.
Slash of Guns N' Roses describes Beck as, "the Pablo Picasso of electric guitar." Beck responded, "I would think I was more the Jackson Pollack." Joe Perry of Aerosmith said, "There's a certain amount of f- you-ness to everything that Jeff does," and rock n' roll and guitar playing are the better for it."
I saw this on Amazon. I highly recommend this film for Jeff Beck fans and music lovers who do not yet know of his greatness.
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On a personal note, a young man who worked at Licorice Pizza and was a music mentor for me introduced me to Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton's music when I was ten years old. I bought up Cream and Yardbirds albums that day from the used bins. My life has never been the same since.
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