Legendary guitarist Jeff Beck keeps rolling like Ol’ Man River on this 2 cd set from Ronnie Scott’s jazz club. Teamed with Vinnie Colaiuta/dr, Jason Rebello/key and Tal Wilkenfeld/b, Beck sounds inspired and feisty as he sears through material ranging from his early days like “Beck’s Bolero” as well as from his classic Blow By Blow album with “ Cause We Ended As Lovers.” He breathes life into “A Day In The Life” with the band showing deft sensitivity, but it’s when guest stars pop on stage that the ante gets upped.
Eric Clapton joins with the fellow Yardbird for a couple bluesy beauties in “ Little Brown Bird” and “You Need Love” while a raucous “Rollin’ and Tumblin’” is delivered by Imogen Harp. Joss Stone brings it down with a soulful “People Get Ready” and the Big Town Playboys” get rock-abillin’ on “Matchbox,” “Crazy Legs” and almost bring down the roof with a return to “Train Kept a Rollin’.” Of all the guitarists that came out of the first generation of the 60s blues rock, Beck is still the best gun in the West, as the six slinger here demonstrates.
Eagle Records