Jeff Beck Performing This Week … Live at Ronnie Scott’s

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by John Kindred
Staff Writer

Following up the audio release of Performing this Week … Live at Ronnie Scott’s, Eagle Vision has released the DVD version of Beck’s live concert performance.

Jeff Beck’s latest release is a live affair recorded over several nights at the famed British jazz club Ronnie Scott’s in London in ’07. Beck’s band included bassist Tal Wilkenfeld, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and keyboardist Jason Rebello. The group performed 20 songs that spans Beck’s long musical career.

Special guest on the DVD include Joss Stone, Imogen Heap and Eric Clapton.

Having been a member of the Yardbirds in the sixties, the majority of Beck’s career has been as a solo artist releasing instrumental albums. His musical influence and recorded works dabbles within many frameworks of genres of rock, fusion and jazz.

Performing to standing-room-only crowds, Beck amazed, dazzled and electrified the audience. Fortunately these performances were captured to be shared with Beck fans and maybe even those who have yet to hear the legendary guitarist.

The audience although mostly filled with fans also included such as celebrities such as Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and Jon Bon Jovi.

Performing the infamous “Beck’s Bolereo,” Stevie Wonder’s “Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers,” and the Beatles’ “A Day In The Life,” Beck shines. The music on the DVD is truly inspiring. Fans of instrumental rock guitar (Vai, Satriani, Johnson) will easily be drawn into Beck’s unique playing style. Truly inspiring is Beck’s performance with Eric Clapton who joined Beck on “Little Brown Bird” and “You Need Love.” Clapton handles the vocals with his bluesy voice while he split time trading guitars riffs with Beck.

Joss Stone’s vocal performance on “People Get Ready” is breathtaking. Imogen Heap’s voice has an alternative soulful vibe and mixes with Beck’s guitar perfectly.

For the uninitiated, Beck may come across as frantic and undisciplined. His tone isn’t necessarily spell-binding (that is the sound of his amp). What is special is the tone and sounds that originate from his fingers, to the strings and then through the amp. Beck’s explorative nature allows him to freely explore elements of his desires whether it is blues, rock, fusion or jazz into another stratosphere.

Although never achieving the commercial success of Clapton or Page, Beck has inspired countless musicians and fans. The discovery of his musical legacy is beneficial to the continued learning of guitarists everywhere.

The DVD features a booklet with color pictures and a detailed write up of the concert experience. The bonus features on the DVD include interviews with Beck and his band mates.

Label: Eagle Vision

Band lineup:
Jeff Beck (g)
Tal Wilkenfeld (b)
Vinnie Colaiuta (d)
Jason Rebello (k)

Track Listing:
1) Beck’s Bolero
2) Eternity’s Breath
3) Stratus
4) ‘Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers
5) Behind The Veil
6) You Never Know
7) Nadia
8 Blast From The East
9) Led Boots
10) Angel (Footsteps)
11) People Get Ready with Joss Stone
12) Scatterbrain
13) Goodbye Pork Pie Hat/Bush With The Blues
14) Space Boogie
15) Blanket with Imogen Heap
16) Big Block
17) A Day In The Life
18) Little Brown Bird with Eric Clapton
19) You Need Love with Eric Clapton
20) Rollin’ and Tumblin’ with Imogen Heap
21) Where Were You

HRH Rating: 8/10