JEFF BECK GROUP: BECK-OLA

With a more streamlined approach, JEFF BECK released his sophomore album BECK-OLA the following year in 1969 as THE JEFF BECK GROUP, a moniker he would retain for two more albums before shedding his group and reinventing himself as one of jazz-rock's greatest guitar gods. Less known than the debut "Truth," BECK-OLA basically followed in the footsteps with a bluesy hard rock style that had been developing in the late 1960s before taking off in the early 1970s. With only 7 tracks, BECK-OLA was a rather short album clocking in at just under 31 minutes. In the year's time since the release of "Truth," the debut album by Led Zeppelin was released which forever changed the music landscape and upped the heavier elements and tempos and BECK-OLA followed suit with an overall heavier, faster approach.

After a debut of myriad guest stars joining in for a blues rock party, BECK-OLA featured a bonafide band lineup. JEFF BECK of course handled guitar duties and vocalist Rod Stewart and bassist Ronnie Wood were back for one more album before forming their own band Faces. Drummer Micky Waller was replaced by Tony Newman and pianist Nicky Hopkins returned as a full-time member of the band. This album featured a majority of originals with only two covers from Elvis Presley, namely "All Shook Up" and "Jailhouse Rock." The album carries the blues rock to the next level with a heavier participation by the piano which gives the album more of an old time rock 'n' roll type of feel that lends well to the Elvis Presley covers however hearing Rod Stewart imitate Elvis is definitely the low point of this otherwise consistent album.

While following in the footsteps of the blues rock sound most recognizable by bands like John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, BECK-OLA finds BECK upping his guitar skills with more interesting guitar riffs, soloing and an overall approach to his playing although he still sounds a bit tethered due to the blues rock limitations of the day. The musical interplay sounds more like the Faces band. Overall the band gelled better together on this sophomore album with a rhythmic interplay that began to display the advanced boogie system that BECK unleashed in the mid-1970s especially on tracks like "Plynth (Water Down the Drain)." This album was a hit as it peaked at #15 on the Billboard charts and #39 in the UK. The album's title was apparently a pun on the Rock-Ola jukebox company, a reference lost in time.

This album is perhaps most famous for the band's implosion just as they were slated to perform at Woodstock. The usual musician's ego thing resulted in Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood leaving the band only to form Faces which enjoyed great success while Nicky Hopkins joined Jefferson Airplane just in time to play at Woodstock only to then join Quicksilver Messenger Service and tour with the Rolling Stones. If that wasn't enough BECK was in a car accident the same year and would have to put his music career on hold for a while. Overall this is a decent album that showcases nice boogie rock with a heavier emphasis on honky tonk piano rolls but ultimately comes off as a preview for the four Faces albums from Stewart and Wood rather than a true JEFF BECK album. Nevertheless a decent slice of late 60s blues rock even if Led Zeppelin and other contemporary bands were doing it much better at this point.

3.5 stars rounded down