BLOW BY BLOW

The very first Jeff Beck album to grace my collection, I still consider it to be one of my favorite out of his whole discography. Along with his next album, "Wired", 1976 was one of his biggest years from a commercial stand-point. Although "Blow By Blow" is Jeff's 5th studio album, it is his first solo output. After the last line-up of The Jeff Beck Group didn't work out, he sent Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice packing and started out solo. Not bad for a first effort, I'd say.

The one thing that I really enjoy about Jeff's playing is that he really makes the sound his own. "Blow By Blow" is one of his first albums that really breaks a lot of ground into the jazz-fusion genre, while his previous albums only slightly touched upon the style. Even his cover of Paul McCartney's "She's A Woman" has Beck's signature style pinned onto it.

The album opener, "You Know What I Mean", wastes no time in pulling you into the mood of the album, with its jazz-rooted funk blasting right from the get-go. Solos fly every which way, and the most impressive part of the whole song may just be the drum solo near the end. "She's A Woman" follows, and just like I said before, Beck makes the song his own by putting his signature raw emotion into his playing. The next three songs, "Constipated Duck", "Airblower" and "Scatterbrain" sound like one long set of pounding jazz fusion, which is why these three songs are usually a staple in his live performances.

"Cause We've Ended As Lovers" is one of Jeff Beck's signature live songs, mainly because it is virtually impossible for anyone but himself to play it. The way he almost "makes love" to his guitar is almost unfathomable. Another standout is the longtime radio staple "Freeway Jam".

So, if you have ever picked up a guitar you need to own this album. Even thoguh I say that, by no means is this only an album for guitarists. Max Middleton, Phil Chenn and Richard Bailey all get their time in the spotlight, and like I said before, Richard Bailey's drum solo on "You Know What I Mean is one of the high points of the album.To repeat myself again, this album is incredibly rhythmic and musically stimulating to anybody with ears, pretty much. Not too many people enjoy all- instrumental albums, but if you are one of those that do then this is a must have.

4 stars, a great example of 70's jazz fusion.