BLOW BY BLOW

This album was my introduction into the world of jazz fusion and what a way to unravel a genre! "Blow By Blow" is the first solo effort by Jeff Beck and quite possibly his finest work. Together with a superstar team of talented musicians and production and arrangement talent by GEORGE MARTIN, "Blow By Blow" is 45 minutes of virtuosic jazz fusion bliss. The album's mood fluctuates over the course of listening, with funk and blues rockers like "You Know What I Mean" and "Freeway Jam" counteracting soulful and mystical ballads like "Cause We've Ended As Lovers" and "Diamond Dust". However, Beck and the crew are always sure to expand both intelligently and sensitively on musical ideas, blending and balancing technical marvel and emotion into a seamless musical experience, letting the varied styles of the album work to complement each other.

As far as a "track-by-track", there isn't a single track on the album that I'd consider weak, only "well-done" as opposed to "masterfully executed". "She's A Woman", a Lennon-McCartney co-pen, is one of the most inventive Beatles covers I've ever heard and Stevie Wonder's collaborations to the album are great showcases of the songwriting and playing talents of all those involved. The true masterpiece of the album (after great difficulty making the decision) in my opinion would go to the side 1 closer, "Scatterbrain". After a segue from "Air Blower", this track doesn't hesitate to get going right out of the gate and doesn't back down until the side ends. Richard Bailey's drum work is top-notch, the breakneck 9/8 performance is tight from the entire group and George Martin's arrangements do the song great justice. Don't be alarmed, however; the song isn't just a muddled sea of overblown virtuosity, it contains many great musical moments and is a fascinating, profound listen while not a challenging, inaccessible one.

"Blow By Blow" is a special delight for all of those who love jazz fusion, virtuoso guitar performances in general or just anyone looking for a soothing yet interesting album to listen to. A must-have!