Jeff Beck RIP

[Andy Kev.]

I was shocked this morning to hear on the radio that Jeff Beck has died.

Whenever the hackneyed old topic of who was the best guitarist came up, I always had three: Eric Clapton for fluidity, Rory Gallagher for wild feel and deep musicianship and Jeff Beck for genius that I could only glimpse and never quite get the full extent of. In a way he was as much a jazz as a rock guitarist. I suspect that it will be a long time before we see anybody with similar skills and I suspect we will never see his equal. He was in my opinion, to use a much overused word, unique. I'm grateful for his music. RIP.

 

[Dr.Al]

I was shocked this morning to hear on the radio that Jeff Beck has died.

Whenever the hackneyed old topic of who was the best guitarist came up, I always had three: Eric Clapton for fluidity, Rory Gallagher for wild feel and deep musicianship and Jeff Beck for genius that I could only glimpse and never quite get the full extent of. In a way he was as much a jazz as a rock guitarist. I suspect that it will be a long time before we see anybody with similar skills and I suspect we will never see his equal. He was in my opinion, to use a much overused word, unique. I'm grateful for his music. RIP.

:text-+1: although I'm surprised Prince wasn't in your list.

 

[RogerM]

Very sad news. It was only last week that I ruminated that there is a whole cohort of great guitarists in their late 70's who we were likely to lose before long, a list which included Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Brian May, David Gilmore and Mark Knopfler, and that there seems to be no one coming on behind to replace them. There was a very interesting TV programme about Jeff Beck a few years ago in which it was revealed that as well as being a brilliant musician, he was also a passionate restorer of classic cars, at which he was equally talented. He came across as a very modest, unassuming nice man who was forever grateful that he was able to pursue the two great passions in his life - music and classic cars - and that one paid for the other. It was also revealed that when Pink Floyd were looking for a replacement for Syd Barrett, Jeff Beck was top of their list but they didn't have the nerve to ask him.

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

 

[Pete Maddex]

I have lined up You had it coming to play today.

Nadia is going to be first.


RIP Jeff

Pete

 

[Philly]

Sad news, Beck was still kicking it out to the end. Someone who had a unique style that was very difficult to replicate and hugely innovative. His use of harmonics manipulated by the whammy bar was unmatched!

Roger, there are some amazing talents out there. Check out Joe Bonamassa and Derek Trucks for just two.

 

[novocaine]

Completely disagree that there is no one coming along behind them, there are amazing talents of all ages that bring something new or different to the world, it maybe not to your taste but they are the equal if not the better of the old guard thanks to standing on their shoulders. I say all ages because I include the likes of Slash (no spring chicken), Dave Grohl (hardest working man in rock and roll and a sound that you can pick out of a line up, maybe not the best technically but that's by the by), Jack White, the list in the mainsteam is pretty big, out of the main stream, the likes of Mike Dawes (google him), marcin petrzalek and a few others that are quite frankly amazing.

I do also agree that it is a great shame and a loss to the world, the old guard did define a style that is copied throughout the world, but that style has morphed.

for those that disagree with me, perhaps it's more that you are entrained in your youth music, as we all are, me included, it's hard to consider the new crop as anything more than noise a lot of the time.

 

[AndyP]

perhaps it's more that you are entrained in your youth music, as we all are, me included, it's hard to consider the new crop as anything more than noise a lot of the time.

Quilty as charged there. Apart from a couple of odd tracks my phone is loaded with music from the 70’s & 80’s. I am more likely, these days, to go and see tribute acts of bands from that era than watch anyone new. Sad I know.

Whole heartedly agree with all the aforementioned Jeff Beck comments.

 

[Andy Kev.]

:text-+1: although I'm surprised Prince wasn't in your list.

There's a YouTube clip of Prince playing a straight blues and it is devastatingly brilliant. I always admired Prince and certainly liked his songwriting but had the impression that he never settled on a stable musical course. That's not to say that he didn't have genius but in my highly subjective view, he was always a work in progress.

By the way, if anybody who doesn't know is wondering what all the fuss is about, I would recommend one live (Performing This Week At Ronnie Scott's) and one studio (Blow By Blow) album from Jeff Beck. The former is a sort of review of his entire career and the latter is simply JB being wonderfully creative in his unique way.

Or have a look at this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC02wGj5gPw

 

[Phil Pascoe]

She isn't bad, either.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXtbvrz7XlA

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Best ever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzbLKPPNioE

 

[AJB Temple]

Well, it's sad to see Jeff go. But I've never understood the guitar adulation around him. Advance aapoloy. To me he was very much of his time, that time being 50-60 years ago, and never progressed creatively beyond that. The whammy bar stuff had already been done to death by Hank Marvin and others, and and the dive bombing, tapping and shredding era was yet to emerge. The Today programme on BBC Radio 4 signed out this morning by playing "Beck's Bolero" - which was basically a demonstration of slow pentatonic licks and didn't show off many skills that would be admired today. Two iconic members of Led Zep played on that and it dates from 1966. I actually saw him live once at the Royal Albert Hall. It was OK. Musically I always felt that Mark Knopfler could eat him alive and once the likes of Satriani and Bonamassa came along it was game over.

Fully agree that Mike Dawes can really play, though his acoustic style owes a lot to Tommy Emmanuel (who is now 67). Marcin is also an acoustic player (JB was almost exclusively solid body electric) who does not really float my boat - he's seen too many shredding videos on You Tube.

I agree though - the names from the past are disappearing. The press will go mad when Clapton passes away and I will probably write a thread like this when Jimmy Page (79) dies as he really woke up rock guitar.

 

[Mike G]

......Whenever the hackneyed old topic of who was the best guitarist came up, I always had three: Eric Clapton for fluidity, Rory Gallagher for wild feel and deep musicianship and Jeff Beck for genius.....

Obviously that lot are competing for the third spot after Dave Gilmour and Mark Knopfler. I'd argue that Sir Brian May should be in the mix too.

 

[AndyP]

What no Pete Townsend in those lists nor Jimi Hendrix

My ears are not as tuned musically as others but for pure entertainment than PT cannot be bettered. IMO or course. Having seen Mark Knopfler in Dire Straits and solo his stage presence is lacking in comparison. Dire Straits of course fall in to that category of youth music from 70's & 80's that I never tire of listening to.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

i read once someone comment that they wondered how Jimmy Paige felt being the third best guitarist in the Yardbirds.

No one's mentioned Gary Moore yet.

 

[novocaine]

top 50 here.
think we have covered the top ten now.

https://www.loudersound.com/features/th ... f-all-time

 

[Mike G]

i read once someone comment that they wondered how Jimmy Paige felt being the third best guitarist in the Yardbirds.

A commentator once said that Steve Waugh had to be the best all rounder in the world..........and the response from another commentator was that he wasn't even the best all rounder in his family. :lol:

No one's mentioned Gary Moore yet.

Body-of-work, would be my response. Has he actually produced enough stuff?

 

[Andy Kev.]

What no Pete Townsend in those lists nor Jimi Hendrix

My ears are not as tuned musically as others but for pure entertainment than PT cannot be bettered. IMO or course. Having seen Mark Knopfler in Dire Straits and solo his stage presence is lacking in comparison. Dire Straits of course fall in to that category of youth music from 70's & 80's that I never tire of listening to.

IMO Pete Townshend is a completely different kettle of fish. If all the other guitar greats were playing Rugby Union, he was playing Rugby League (or the other way around if that fits your metaphorical preference). For me he was the best songwriter and visionary for a band. I can't think of anyone else of whom I would say that and his band was, of course, unique. Someone once said of it that The Who was the only band in the world with a lead singer, a lead guitarist, a lead bass player and a lead drummer.

 

[RogerM]

The Jeff Beck Story : Still on the Run - is on Amazon Prime. Sadly not a freebie, but I can vouch that it is an entertaining way to spend an evening, having watched it when it came out on BBC. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jeff-Beck-Stil ... B07YN9HG3T

 

[Woodbloke]

For me he was the best songwriter and visionary for a band.

If we're nattering about songsmiths now, nobody, but nobody on the planet comes anywhere near Lennon and McCartney. I read some time ago that each century produces a true composing genius(s); in the 18th century it was Mozart, the 19th produced LvB and the 20th saw Lennon & McCartney. To favourably compared in the press to Mozart and LvB is about as good as it gets. All the rest, good as they are 'also rans' and will in the coming centuries fade into obscurity - Rob

 

[Malc2098]

What about Bert Weedon?

Seriously, how about Les Paul, of his time?

 

[Phil Pascoe]

If we're nattering about songsmiths now, nobody, but nobody on the planet comes anywhere near Lennon and McCartney. I read some time ago that each century produces a true composing genius(s); in the 18th century it was Mozart, the 19th produced LvB and the 20th saw Lennon & McCartney. To favourably compared in the press to Mozart and LvB is about as good as it gets. All the rest, good as they are 'also rans' and will in the coming centuries fade into obscurity - Rob

Comparing apples and oranges, surely?

(at least Beethoven didn't write Yellow Submarine. :lol: )

 

[thetyreman]

sad news RIP, beck, page and hendrix are my favourite guitarists from that era, but jeff beck was incomparable, there will never be another one like him, I own all his solo albums and will be playing them again.

 

[Woodbloke]

If we're nattering about songsmiths now, nobody, but nobody on the planet comes anywhere near Lennon and McCartney. I read some time ago that each century produces a true composing genius(s); in the 18th century it was Mozart, the 19th produced LvB and the 20th saw Lennon & McCartney. To favourably compared in the press to Mozart and LvB is about as good as it gets. All the rest, good as they are 'also rans' and will in the coming centuries fade into obscurity - Rob

Comparing apples and oranges, surely?

(at least Beethoven didn't write Yellow Submarine. :lol: )

A body of fantastic, incredible songs, lyrics and melodies that defy the test of time. All three (M, LvB, L&McC) had 'it', the rest, simply, don't. 'Paperback Writer', 'Yesterday' etc are as fresh now as the day they were penned in the early 60's - Rob

 

[thetyreman]

as a guitarist myself, what I really loved about jeff beck was how he never used anything too fancy, just a regular strat and a 100 watt stack, and he got the sounds from the guitar volume and how he played from his fingers, there was no hiding behind any gimmicks, it was about how he played and his technique.

 

[Alf]

A commentator once said that Steve Waugh had to be the best all rounder in the world..........and the response from another commentator was that he wasn't even the best all rounder in his family. :lol:

Thank goodness - something in this thread the reference to which I get.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I must admit to not having a clue who Steve Waugh is. :lol:

 

[RogerM]

I must admit to not having a clue who Steve Waugh is. :lol:

Steve and Mark Waugh are twin brothers and retired Australian cricketers, and there has been endless debate over which was the better. Hence when asked whether Steve Waugh was the best all rounder in the world, the comment that he wasn't even the best in his family. :lol:

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Thank you.

 

[Pete Maddex]

Jeff had a way of making his guitar playing look effortless.

Pete

 

[AJB Temple]

as a guitarist myself, what I really loved about jeff beck was how he never used anything too fancy, just a regular strat and a 100 watt stack, and he got the sounds from the guitar volume and how he played from his fingers, there was no hiding behind any gimmicks, it was about how he played and his technique.

No gimmicks. Just a regular strat and stack, eh? :lol: This is just plain wrong. His tech and magazine coverage of the rig show he used plenty of gear, including:

Snarling dogs wah (and various other wah over the years)
Digital Leslie emulation
Various digital delay pedals
Sustain pedal / compressor
Echo machine (digital, tape and emulator)
Tone bender (the stage one was really old)
Carbon copy repeater (MX)
Klon Centaur (used on lots of stuff)
Pro co The Rat
Feedback emulator
Front to front cabs to boost feedback
Some records show a flanger clearly in evidence
Volume pedal (like practically every stage guitarist)

The 'regular strat' was usually a far from regular custom shop "Jeff Beck" artist hand made model (wit near identical back ups), and he used tele's, Danelectro (ex Jimmy Page). A duo jet and a '59 Les Paul among other stuff.

An oddity was he always had talcum powder in his stage gear. For his fingers.

Sorry to burst the illusion, but JB embraced the effects just like everybody else.

 

[thetyreman]

as a guitarist myself, what I really loved about jeff beck was how he never used anything too fancy, just a regular strat and a 100 watt stack, and he got the sounds from the guitar volume and how he played from his fingers, there was no hiding behind any gimmicks, it was about how he played and his technique.

No gimmicks. Just a regular strat and stack, eh? :lol: This is just plain wrong. His tech and magazine coverage of the rig show he used plenty of gear, including:

Snarling dogs wah (and various other wah over the years)
Digital Leslie emulation
Various digital delay pedals
Sustain pedal / compressor
Echo machine (digital, tape and emulator)
Tone bender (the stage one was really old)
Carbon copy repeater (MX)
Klon Centaur (used on lots of stuff)
Pro co The Rat
Feedback emulator
Front to front cabs to boost feedback
Some records show a flanger clearly in evidence
Volume pedal (like practically every stage guitarist)

The 'regular strat' was usually a far from regular custom shop "Jeff Beck" artist hand made model (wit near identical back ups), and he used tele's, Danelectro (ex Jimmy Page). A duo jet and a '59 Les Paul among other stuff.

An oddity was he always had talcum powder in his stage gear. For his fingers.

Sorry to burst the illusion, but JB embraced the effects just like everybody else.

you've not burst any illusions, but thanks for the lecture, I won't participate anymore in this.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Jeff had a way of making his guitar playing look effortless.

Pete

I was watching a vid of Leonard Cohen with javier Mas playing the bandurria - I commented on how effortless he made it look and my friend (who plays several instruments) said yes, have you any idea how many thousands of hours it takes to make something look that simple?

 

[AJB Temple]

Ben, I was not trying to offend you and apologise if I have. It's just that you said you were a guitarist and asserted that Jeff did it all with no gadgets. I know that is the myth and I understand why you believe it, but ....reality is different.

As it happens I play guitar a bit too. I'm not all that good, but I have done pro studio session work, played live, taught a few people etc. When I was just a kid really. Collected guitars. Amps. etc. So I am an ex guitar obsessive. But still, I apologise. Sorry.

On JB: I discovered today the Beck's Bolero, featured on Today, was written by Jimmy Page.....(who also played on it).

 

[Blackswanwood]

It is sad that JeffBeck has gone.

Assuming the comparisons are not just British guitarists I would put Bonnie Raitt up there as one of the best also.

 

[John Brown]

There are so many to choose from, depending on genre. Peter Green, SRV, Albert Lee, Robben Ford, Lennie Breau, Django, Joscho Stefan, Richard Smith, Hendrix.
I've been trying to play Blind Blake tunes for 55 years or so, probably time to give up!

 

[John Brown]

It is sad that JeffBeck has gone.

Assuming the comparisons are not just British guitarists I would put Bonnie Raitt up there as one of the best also.

Not forgetting Rory Block.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

It is sad that JeffBeck has gone.

Assuming the comparisons are not just British guitarists I would put Bonnie Raitt up there as one of the best also.

I remember seeing some while back references to another American woman guitarist who was thought by some to be better than Bonny Raitt, but who didn't have her success, primarily because B.R. apparently had the contacts to progress her career while she was an outsider. I looked the other day, but I can't remember her name for the life of me. I think the surname began with Mc or Mac, but I'm probably wrong. I usually am.

This lady's good on a guitar as well -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pAm0uqkXAI

 

[novocaine]

Elizabeth Cotten
Rosetta Tharpe
Beverly Watkins

all amazing players and singers who we would not have the music we have today without (Especially sister Tharpe who played in Manchester and helped kick start the music scene with new fangeled electric guitars).

I've been trying to play Blind Blake tunes for 55 years or so, probably time to give up!

nope, never time to give up. I've been playing since I was 9 or 10, still crap, still don't care. if you play to be seen then that's another matter, but when you play because you want to there is never a time to give up. bscene-drinkingcheers:

 

[Blackswanwood]

(Especially sister Tharpe who played in Manchester and helped kick start the music scene with new fangeled electric guitars).

Yes, good call. I’d forgotten about her until I was Googling after reading this thread last night and had always thought she was just a bit of a novelty which is wrong. Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Keith Richards all were influenced by her stop in Manchester on her European tour.

A couple of others on the female list for me would be Susan Tedeschi and Joan Jett.

 

[AndyP]

Moving away from the jazz and blues which have never really appealed to me. As well as who I call the classic rock guitars can I put a shout out for probably the best prog rock guitarist, Steve Hackett. So many guitar solos on so many Genesis tracks.