JEFF

This is as heavy an album as you will hear from Jeff Beck with thundering guitar assault, at times an industrial rythm section, and yet a sophistication that may leave some listeners confused or just plain unable to understand or comprehend. Where "So What" opens the album with an all out guitar assault the following "Plan B" jumps back and forth from the hard to the tender and Beck creates some of the most amazing guitar sounds and atmospherics ever dedicated to disc. It is no wonder that Jimmy Page recently was quoted as saying "Jeff Beck is the best guitarist on the planet". It's important not to confuse Jeff as ever being a simple blues player as he has always deviated from the standard and never played a solo straight or traditional in his career. So this album finds Beck again stretching the boundaries of rock music and this time fusing rock with electronica with amazing results. The third album in a row to do this and probably the most complex of the three "Jeff" is simply an amazing listening experience. One of the most intense tracks on the album is "Seasons" where Beck uses hip-hop electronica and Tangerine Dream sequencing and coupled with the vocals of Nancy Sorrell he create's a true fusion masterpiece. On "Trouble Man" Beck really lets loose with an absolutely stunning guitar display, his guitar screaming and diving with pure power riffs and solos strongly backed by the rhythm section of Dean Garcia and Steve Barney. He employs some awe inspiring single-string runs throughout ranging from prog metal to delta blues to Eastern Indian inspired, enough to stand any fellow guitarists hairs on end. "Grease Monkey" is another fine track with again a heavy rythim section and the sassy vocals of Sorrell to complement the dirtiest guitar playing on the planet. "My Thing" starts out with a classic blues based guitar riff that quickly changes from funky to 'rockin' with Chuck Berry' all within the context of blues fused hip hop electronica. As schizoid as it may sound it all really makes sense within the context of this album. The disc winds down with the last two songs, the beautiful and ethereal "Bulgaria" where Jeff's single note slide guiar is joined by the London Symphony Orchestra and "Why Lord Oh Why" with orchestra and guitar soundscapes that rival both Fripp and Eno in ambience and structure. This is a very comprehensive listen and not for the amaterish or the weak of heart. Jeff Beck is one of the few if only guitarists to come out of the sixites (or anytime really) and consistently redefine himself throughout his career. With this masterpiece Jeff has probably put out the best of any modern guitar album. This album will stand the test of time and that is what truly makes a masterpiece. Buy it as it should be essential to all prog rock collections.