Jeff Beck ~ England

Truth (1968)

While I can take or leave most of Beck's blues rock works, I think the debut has more spirit than the others. While it's got the usual over reliance on covers, they aren't the usual "standards" and Beck puts in some mean guitar here. You still have to deal with Rod Stewart though lol. I think the CD itself pushed this one into the win column. 

Ownership: 2006 Epic Legacy (CD). Historical liner notes and eight bonus tracks.  

11/16/21 (review)

Jeff Beck Group - Rough and Ready (1971) 

Most of Jeff Beck's works around this time circle the UK blues movement of the late 60s. Rough and Ready is a departure from that, and much more enjoyable to my ears. There's a jazz rock flare, and a bit of straightforward hard rock as well. This is the best Beck album I've heard from his earlier era. 

Ownership: 2015 Iconoclassic (CD). Historical liner notes.

11/18/21 (review)

Jeff Beck / Tim Bogert / Carmine Appice (1973)

Unlike the other Beck's below, I hadn't heard this one prior. Kind of a power trio / blues rock hybrid. For such a lineup it seems kind of toothless to me. There is some great stuff here however, in particular their version of 'Superstition'.

Source: 1973 Epic (LP)  

1/12/21 (review)

There & Back (1980) 

I always thought it was There & Beck lol. This was Beck's first new album since I started listening to FM radio in 1977. I remember liking some it, but never enough to buy a new copy. Much more glossy (80's of course) than his previous output, but nonetheless of similar consistency. Hammer and others bring the latest in keyboard technology while Beck does what Beck does - solid guitar soloing and melody lines.

Source: 1980 Epic (LP)

1/10/21 (review)

Wired (1976)

Both Blow by Blow and Wired go back to my late high school years. I've always enjoyed 'Led Boots' with its super sludgy rhythm section and with Beck and Hammer trading solos. The album overall has a nice melodic undercurrent, and Beck's solos are always tasty. I appreciate Beck's jazz rock works much more as I get older, and after recently reviewing his back catalog, I prefer these.

Ownership: 1976 Epic (LP)

1983 (first acquired); 6/29/12; 3/11/18; 1/8/21 (review)

Blow by Blow (1975)

I go back and forth on this album, but I'm back in the positive camp. For a fusion album, there are a lot of well written melodies. Though my favorite track remains the more aggressive 'Scatterbrain'. I've also always been fond of the FM radio airplay song of 'Freeway Jam'. And 'Thelonius' has a deep heavy funk groove. 

Ownership: 1979 Epic (LP)

1983 (first acquired); 6/29/12; 3/11/18; 11/30/20 (review)

12/9/21 (new entry)