Beck Ditt Eget Blod

Continuing with the same group lineup as on Rough and Ready, Jeff Beck Group was slagged off by critics for Steve Cropper's admittedly lazy production. However, several of the songs hold up masterfully, including the skronky "Ice Cream Cakes," the superlative redo of Don Nix's "Going Down," and the beautifully sad and wistful instrumental, "Definitely Maybe." Beware of early, poor-sounding versions…

The studio album didn't work, but Beck Bogert & Appice's Live in Japan is a bit of a better bet, since it captures more of their interplay, thereby giving a better idea of why Bogert decided to embark on this particular project…

Despite being the premiere of heavy metal, Jeff Beck's Truth has never quite carried its reputation the way the early albums by Led Zeppelin did, or even Cream's two most popular LPs, mostly as a result of the erratic nature of the guitarist's subsequent work…

Fifty five minutes of straight ahead jazz with a nice variety of tunes that allows the band plenty of opportunity to demonstrate their improvisational skills. The program includes seven jazz standards plus Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely". For each tune Joe Beck delivers innovative interpretations with clear articulate linear and chordal solos. No electronic modification of the guitar sound (which guitarists, including Beck himself, often used in the 1980's). Here the sound is clean in the tradition of Tal Farlow. Support from Jay Leonhart and the incomparable Grady Tate is superlative. Recorded sound is excellent. Recommended for fans of the guitar-bass-drums trio sound or for people who just like straight ahead jazz in it's purest form. If you are not familiar with Joe Beck and want to add some of his music to your jazz collection, this CD is a good place to start.