JEFF BECK'S GUITAR SHOP (WITH TERRY BOZZIO AND TONY HYMAS)

There is no doubting Jeff Beck's stature as one of the top guitar players ever. He has however tended to be under-recognised when compared to his peers such as Clapton and Hendrix. This can in part be explained by the fact that he is more of a team player, his contributions to bands such as The Yardbirds and even his own Jeff Beck group usually being devoid of the virtuoso style of Eric and Jimi.

Beck began setting the record straight with his jazz fusion influenced albums of the late 1970's, and continues the process with this 1989 release. This album is almost exclusively instrumental (although there is spoken word on track one), Beck being accompanied by drummer Terry Bozzio and keyboard player Tony Hymas.

The early tracks on the album focus on the rock side of Jeff's repertoire, "Savoy" having a strong rhythm and some incisive guitar. The track structures are kept pretty simple, Beck remaining firmly centre stage throughout. "Behind the veil" explores funkier territory with a shuffling reggae beat and more noticeable keyboards, but it is still Beck's guitar which dominates proceedings.

Overall, there is a certain coldness to the tracks here, the guitar playing being technically supreme but often lacking in emotion. Even on reflective numbers such as the delicate "Where were you", Beck's focus appears to be on playing the notes with absolute precision. In this respect, for me Beck is much more of a Clapton than a Hendrix or a Gary Moore. This in turn leads to me appreciating the album rather than actually enjoying it.

Those who seek to hear a guitar maestro playing in top form need look no further. Those seeking an album of complex and/or emotional prog as best advised to look elsewhere.

Share this JEFF BECK review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Easy Livin
• Report this review (#157508)
• Buy JEFF BECK music online with PA partners
• Show all JEFF BECK MP3/Stream
• Go to JEFF BECK page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Jeff Beck's Guitar Shop (with Terry Bozzio and Tony Hymas) page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for JEFF BECK related discussions