Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Jim Williams]

My experience with Jeff was with luthier Rex Bogue at a Mahavisnu Orchestra concert back in the 1970's. We had built the custom double neck guitar John McLaughlin made famous. Jeff also played at that same Santa Monica civic auditorium concert. John was all gaga about his custom guitar and invited Jeff to meet Rex and me, the guys behind his groundbreaking double neck guitar.

Jeff was extremely rude and blew us AND John McLaughlin off badly. Afterwards I felt badly for John as Jeff was a major league asshole to him, not being very concerned about myself. I've met enough major league famous a-holes in my life not to get worked up about it. As much as I have enjoyed some of Jeff's output, every time I hear him I think about that guy at that concert. I can't separate the artist from the man.

You only have one chance to make a first impression.

[Plush]

Here's Jeff at the Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago this summer.

I had a chance to have a beer with him and visit for a little while.

He's looking great and playing fantastic!

He outshone all other players that day.

[compasspnt]

Jeff in slightly earlier days...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd1FaijgJ1U&feature=relat ed

[Tim Campbell]

Terry,
It's funny that you picked that clip (what a bunch of youngsters). Though it's Jeff in the video, it was Clapton playing guitar on this tune and this is the song that's credited with making Clapton quit the Yardbirds.

[compasspnt]

Indeed, I knew that, and should have mentioned it.  I was just amazed by finding that early (goofy) film footage.

[KB_S1]

Going to see him next Wednesday.
I will report back, possibly in the saloon if more appropriate?

Edited: Just found out gig is 20th October. Mis-information from my Mum.
The feedback will be delivered here as per Klaus's request.

[Mikes]

J.J. Blair wrote on Sat, 14 August 2010 17:58

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96XiH5C7gos&feature=relat ed

Apart from THE. BEST. ELECTRIC. GUITARIST. ALIVE. I really dig the rhythm section in this one, especially the bass player.  Anybody here knows the bloke's name ?

[GREGL]

Saw him in the  80's with SRV (the first show of their tour together). I probably needn't mention it was one of the best shows I've seen in the 40 years I've been  going to concerts.

JB was loud but his tone was incredible.

[Klaus Heyne]

Mikes wrote on Fri, 10 September 2010 15:17

J.J. Blair wrote on Sat, 14 August 2010 17:58     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96XiH5C7gos&feature=relat ed Apart from THE. BEST. ELECTRIC. GUITARIST. ALIVE. I really dig the rhythm section in this one, especially the bass player.  Anybody here knows the bloke's name ?

It's Stephen Amazing on bass, Jim Copley on drums, Andy Clark on keys. More here:
  http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/rare-jeff-bec k-video-oxblood/

This web page is interesting also because it identifies JB's guitar: I always thought the combination-tail piece 1954 Les Paul Gold Top had the best sustain and heft of tone of all Les Pauls ever made. Combine that with a couple of humbuckers, which he added, and you are in business! (Never mind the funky paint job and the Schallers!!)

[Mikes]

Thanks for the information, Klaus!


Seems like Stephen Amazing aka Steve Fields vanished from the scene pretty early.  No trace of him (in the web) after Upp.  Anyway, he really earned his nick - what a bass player!

I'm not at all surprised about your emphasis on the wrapover bridge.  If you're not into fancy string gauges, it's the way to go for added sustain and snappiness.

I always wonder why it isn't more popular - its such an improvement, tonewise.

[KB_S1]

I saw Jeff Beck's concert last night. Really enjoyable show.

Some details:

Support act was 'Trombone Shorty'. Good start to the night with a jazz to funk bluesy vibe. They joined the main band for a number at the end of the night.

JB's band was Rhonda Smith on bass, Narada Michael Walden on drums and Jason Rebello on keys.

I don't even need to comment on the guitar skills.
The concert was 99% instrumental. Rhonda Smith sang little snippets on a couple of numbers. That was a bit challenging for me over the 80+minutes of the show but the technical brilliance of the band, balanced with musical interest pulled it off.

One thing I wasn't too keen on was the synth sounds throughout. Given the fabulous guitar sound, bass and drums were fairly sparse the pad synth sounds stood out to much. Not my thing. Personally I think a real piano or Rhodes would have suited more.

Great night and despite being all seated I enjoyed the venue.
(A quick edit to add that the venue was the Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow.)