Always knew about Jeff but stopped listening to his stuff when he went "jazz" or "fusion". It wasn't my music at the time. I was totally into Led Zepplin. Things changed 2 years ago when I started listening to his stuff again and checking out his live concerts on RU-vid. Maybe just an older and mature brain was listening but I liked what I heard. Then I listened to Jeffs version of "Nadia". Wow! Such a beautiful tune. Then I listened to his "You Had It Coming" album and I was completely hooked. I know that for most people this is not his best album but to me it is. It demonstrates his complete control over his instrument. The sounds that he is able to produce is amazing and he now is over my other favorite guitar player, Jimmy Page.
He was the master. Never seen anyone who could coax such emotion out of the guitar. May favorite Jeff Beck moments were the two times I actually got to talk with him, briefly. He was such a cool guy. Very down to earth. One time was back stage at a Return To Forever concert and the other was at a Hilton right across from where I had just seen him do the Wired tour. He walked in with his guitar case and just chatted with myself and two others who said Hey Jeff, great show. That was about 10 minutes. Andy, when I saw him at Chastain and he ended the show with Nessum Dorma I was blown away as well. He was a legend.
my fav of all time as well. I saw him a couple of months before he died with friend Johnny Delp at MGM in Boston. Blessed to have seen him many times from 1970s to 2023.
I see you're a true lover of Mr. Jeff Beck. Enjoyed the tutorial. I've employed many of these techniques over the years. And you're correct...NO ONE is like the master (no one). It's more than a year later and I'm STILL not over it. Without going into my own playing history too much, I'm 63. And the impact of this man is almost too much to bare. Been playing on and off since I was 18. Saw him 4 times live. The last two at the Warfield Theater in San Francisco literally had me weeping, crying in the audience (pretty close to the stage). Grown man streaming tears with no regard or care who saw. I've studied all the shredders for sure. Love them all. But you're right, there was NO ONE that could match him. Eric has the moniker as "slow hand" but Jeff's was as slow as they come. And the most meaningful. It was always that moment matched with skill and true heart. Absoluteness in improv for rock guitar (even though he could play anything). And...he just seemed a cool guy. First time I saw him live was after I was already into his playing because of discovering Blow by Blow, Wired, and Live w/ Jan Hammer group when I was 18. I was 20 years old when I saw him live. I didn't even know ANYTHING about what came before in his history NOTHING! (YArdbirds, Jeff Beck Group, Truth, None of that). It was at the Greek Theater in Berkeley Ca. I didn't know he was an actual ROCK STAR at that point. I just knew I loved his playing on those albums. They spoke to me. And when he came out and commanded that stage I was like, "Holy Shit! This guy is a total ROCK STAR". I was taken aback at that moment. I was expect a Pat Metheny, Lee Ritenour, Al DiMiola, or even Santana sort of performance (Whom I'd seen play live that year at the same venue). You know..just sit or stand there and play and slay. But HE came out and opened with "Star Cycle" and changed my life. Humble but, TOTAL rock star stage presence. I didn't know. I had no idea. Blew me away. That was his "there and Back" tour. I saw an interview, shortly after that show (I think Guitar Player Mag), that it was one of his favorite live performances up to that point. It wasn't until 2001 when I saw him again at the shows mentioned above in S.F.. Now look, I've been a fairly major sound engineer (FOH/Monitor guy) all my life. I don't get star struck. But, I've NEVER sobbed at a guitarist performance like a baby. TEARS STREAMING down my face. He was our blessing on earth for what he did for sure. Like what you do here. I've subscribed.
When I was a beginner guitarist, back in 1984, I bought the tablature book for the Jeff Beck album Flash, and one of the first songs I learned to play was People Get Ready, I must’ve practiced that song for hours and hours over the years, and when I heard the news of JB’s sudden passing I was just crushed. Loved watching him playing over the past 40 years, especially with Tal Winkenfeld. So much taste and finesse in his playing. What a huge loss. Farewell to the king.
As I always say…”If asked to play Beck, let your own creativity flow through his techniques.” He was an explorer of the guitar. While saddening, this past week is the most fun I’ve had on a guitar in a long time. To connect to the music and just listen. To not be afraid to accidentally give a false landing on the II, then gently slide into the resolution as the note fades. And it’s beautiful.
I've played guitar my whole life , I have a friend who I would liken to Glenn Campbell one of the best I've ever had the joy to play with , He did not like Jeff Beck , and couldn't understand my abject love for him , we argued and argued and almost had a falling out , he told me , he just didn't get Beck , shoot forward , my buddy was on tour in Nashville I believe , he heard about a Beck gig , and decided to attend , he got a backstage pass , No pun intended , He watched Jeff with the intent of criticism, I got a text later that night , it read ,OH MY GOD , WHAT WAS I THINKING , I TOTALLY GET IT , HE MADE ME CRY!
"your favorite guitarist's favorite guitarist." Never truer words spoken. The grief comes and goes to this day. Your "People Get Ready" brought a tear to my eye. Thank you.
I took my son to the November performance in LA in 2022. We bonded to his amazing performance and both of us were crushed when we heard the news of his passing.
Saw Jeff the night before you did in Nashville, IN. It was a life changing experience, and shortly after he was gone. Thanks for your tribute to the greatest to ever do it.
Interesting, insightful and excellent. A great concept that is weell spoken and well played. Thank you. There are so many great examples of Jeff's playing, many mentioned in other comments here. I suggest also the two glorious solos that appear in 'Seasons' and also the cinematic 'Declan' with its Celtic overtones making it sound like the opening soundtrack for a movie involving Ireland. His subtle playing on the 'Live at Ronnie Scott's' DVD when backing Imogen Heap on the tune 'Blanket' is a reminder that Jeff understood the power of dynamics and melodic intent. Indeed, when he starts the second solo with a single stinging note, it is, along with Ms. Heap's fabulous vocals a highlight of the show. And for earlier Jeff, try the instrumental 'I Can't Give Back the Love (That I Feel For You)'. It was one of the tunes that gave him the confidence to do 'Blow by Blow' as an all-instrumental album. And also 'Plyth (Water Down the Drain)' from his days with Rod Stewart on vocals, Ronnie Wood on bass, Tony Newman (Bowie, T Rex etc.) on drums and Nicky Hopkins on piano. That was 1969, and a reminder that even in the 60s Jeff was so far ahead of everyone else.
Here's a chronological favorite list: Shapes Of Things, I Ain't Superstitious, Definitely Maybe, Cause We've Ended as Lovers, Scatterbrain, Diamond Dust(EVERY song on Blow by Blow!), Goodbye Pork Pie Hat, Where Were You, Big Block, What Mama Said, Nadia, Rollin' and Tumblin, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and Nessum Dorma❤🙏🎸🏆🥇
My life changed when I sat down for dinner and put the computer on and watched live at Ronnie Scott's. I started trying to learn the Jeff beck moves and like you I was hear broken to hear the news. Best player in the world at expressing an emotion with a guitar in my opinion. Also check out live somewhere over the rainbow with the orchestra. So perfect.
My favorite Jeff Beck moment is his last statement of the melody on his version of Goodbye Pork Pie Hat. Simply stunning playing and it still makes me well up with tears every time I hear it.
Well said Andy!. I'm an old guy who had the top of my head blown off when I first heard Jeff Beck Group's Truth album. I have loved and appreciated all the iterations of Jeff's musical journey, from blues-rock to fusion to funk. Who has a catalog as rich and varied as Jeff?! None of us can or should copy the masters, but take the inspiration and add it to your own voice and you'll be that much better a musician! God bless and RIP Jeff Beck!
Thanks Andy for sharing, your version of people get ready was fantastic, Jeff Beck was such an inspiration to so many of us, love his playing and always hear something new when I listen to his recordings and mind blown every time I saw him live.
Dude! absolutely with you on his version of Nessun Dorma.....unbelievably beautiful! But i remember as a 12-13 year old guitar wannabe.....my Dad pulled out his vinyl copy of Truth and made me listen to Beck make his guitar sound like it was barfing! Amazing guitarist from the very beginning.....RIP Master Beck!
I can’t pick a favorite Beck moment. My first album was “Flash” which isn’t probably going to top anyone’s favorite list of his but it was cool. If I had to pick it would probably be Live at Ronnie Scott’s. Can’t go wrong with any of his records really. What a voice on that instrument. Man. Thanks for this Andy. I always love to see and hear you play.
The main takeaway I get from Jeff's influence to me is keep getting better. He was my main inspiration in life and now in death. Never met Jeff but he appeared to be a really nice guy. You are also an inspiration and appear to be a really nice guy. That's as important as guitar playing. Thanks Jeff and Andy.
Hey Andy! Fellow East TN Guitar Player, love your work, and your chops! Really enjoy your insight! Saw Beck and Clapton play together in '04 (Crossroads Festival), life changing show! Rock on! 🤘👍✌️
Andy YOU ARE certainly in the same universe as Jeff Beck! You're amazing. I saw a tour with Jeff Beck and Santana as alternating headliners. Unfortunately they didn't jam with each other. Santana opened for Jeff the show I saw. Everyone was up and dancing for Santana and having a great time. When Jeff Beck came on a great portion of the crowd turned into the head scratchers, while the guitar nerds were in awe. Two amazing guitarists eliciting very diverse reactions. It was funny.
Great video, a humbling lesson. I love this approach of trying to grasp even a tiny part of what Jeff created. Even if we miss (and we sure will miss), we'll definitely improve ourselves.
Favorite Jeff Beck moment was when he played with Jan Hammer at Comiskey Park in Chicago. He was warming up for Aerosmith. They played Train Kept a Rolling, which I later heard they weren't supposed to do because Aerosmith plan to play it. But the favorite moment was when a fire broke out in the stadium and it began to fill with smoke. I think they were playing Blue Wind and Jeff said into the mic "F___ the fire, keep playing"
Jeffs playing on Roger Waters "What God Wants, Pt 1" is unreal, I love him on Mick Jaggers "Throwaway", and how about "Roy's toys"... A great musician indeed with a unique voice.
Andy this is great you are doing a great service for us guitar players. One of my favourite moments is him playing with the Stones for president Obama.
Right he never got stale every other great topped out around 30 years old . And that is cool. But Jeff beck wrote where were you. At 45 years old. That song. Was crazy difficult and ground breaking. Original. Unlike anybody else
Excellent video, Andy. Very respectful. I predict we will start hearing subtle Jeff beck-isms in a new generation of guitar players and that can't be a bad thing. Like Jeff, you remain so humble for such a monster player.
Thanks Andy. Still can't believe Jeff isn't here anymore. What an innovator. He was a mentor to many younger players, esp women. Here's a rare clip that shows his soul coming through his guitar: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-WLRVHKS0p24.html
Great video/lesson Andy. Jeff Beck was definitely a guitar hero of mine. When I saw him in LA, he closed the show with Nessun Dorma, truly an epic moment.
Getting to see him play "Two Rivers" live back in 1989 was a guitar highlight for me. Back in those days i had NO idea how he was doing that. I always loved those types of tunes that he played... synth backed melodies... just Synth and Jeff.
I saw Jeff in 2009 at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary concert in NYC. Clapton was supposed to play but had to cancel for health reasons. Jeff took his spot - had Sting, Buddy Guy and Billy Gibbons join him on stage. It was magical.
lick library has a great Jeff beck lesson done by late Michael Casswell. there's also another lesson on whammy bar technique related the same style! anybody who want to tackle Jeff's style should get them.
He was a master of making the simple and mundane seem awesome. That hook from People Get Ready ... root and 4th. That's all. That's all it needed. Sublime. He could certainly shred (and I'm not the biggest fan of a lot of the crazy sounds he coaxed out of his guitar) but he had the confidence and courage to play the music without pulling a lot of "rock star" shit, while still, always, being the epitome of "cool". That show he did with Ronnie Scott really stands out for me as demonstrating his ability to serve the music vs showcase his chops.
Maybe with all the folks wanting flash and technique as well as tones it would be good to focus an episode on cats that are playing cool stuff In great songwriting bands. Ryan Engleman, for example, is with Turnpike Troubadours and has great tone and really cool lead work that suits the songs. Technique is great, but for most uses it is to serve a song. Not every application is to play Steve Vai licks in an apartment! It'd be cool to have someone of your stature show off some current guitar players that serve songwriting. Thanks again for the inspiration
When our band first got together 4 years ago, one of the first songs we rehearsed was the Beck/Stewart version of Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready." We plan on resurrecting it to our regular set at our next rehearsal. I think my favorite Jeff Beck moment was "Stratus" at Ronnie Scott's: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ul4pbiDUdso.html
the Lesson that should be learned from Beck is to be INDIVIDUAL .. I see alot of insecure cats judging a player based on how they should sound like someone else .. just be YOU playing BECK Andy .. or anything else .. its Beautuful Man.
I watched your interview on TrueFire, where you had these tiers of guitar rock e.g. Hendrix, Van Halen. I was disappointed that you overlooked Beck as a tier. There still isn't a gutarist who compares, and he was continuesly honing his skill. Frankly, in my opinon, Jeff Beck was better than both Hendrix & Van Halen and no one has yet to copy his style.
@@cerclesvicieux better is a term I steer clear from. They weren’t “tiers” as much as milestones in how the guitar was approached. Beck is a Mount Rushmore guy for sure. Glad you like him more than Hendrix and Ed, but I think you severely missed the point of what I was saying.
Saw JB when blow by blow came out. He hardly played . It was odd. Very laid minimal. Crazy thing was the Ramones were the opener. Lol Going to see a guitar legend and having a band known for three chord songs was odd. I think if he had better material he would have been recognized by more non musicians. Still he was killer and had some other worldly talent
