Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

At The Back => Time Out => Topic started by: hunter on September 03, 2009, 07:46:36 AM

Title: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: hunter on September 03, 2009, 07:46:36 AM

The drums are wrong, but his playing is awesome!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4LUH2kB9RY&feature=player_embedded

Here the original from Nitin Sawhney: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acX5JKSjzno&feature=player_embedded
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Twinfan on September 03, 2009, 08:37:05 AM
I'm not even opening that - I can't stand Jeff beck!  :lol:
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Tellboy on September 03, 2009, 08:57:55 AM
I'm not even opening that - I can't stand Jeff beck!  :lol:

For someone who is on a permanent 'tone quest' I find that absolutely amazing !!!!
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: hunter on September 03, 2009, 09:03:05 AM
I'm not even opening that - I can't stand Jeff beck!  :lol:

For someone who is on a permanent 'tone quest' I find that absolutely amazing !!!!

Yeah but I can relate to that, he's not so much my cup of tea either, I often find his playing too "intellectually sloppy" if that is a valid term. But on the Nadia thing he rules!

Here is an even more awesome version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP1jeisylBs&feature=related
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Tellboy on September 03, 2009, 09:21:27 AM
There is a lot of his material I don't like but I have always been mesmerised by his ability to get amazing tones from a very basic setup.

Typical example:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI5CCEwnkE8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI5CCEwnkE8)

...as Clapton said "with Jeff it's all in his hands"

Some details of his simple gear setup....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wg-9WrMxf8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wg-9WrMxf8)

Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Ian Price on September 03, 2009, 09:50:22 AM
I'm not even opening that - I can't stand Jeff beck!  :lol:

For someone who is on a permanent 'tone quest' I find that absolutely amazing !!!!

I don't find it that surprising. I'm on a tone quest (not permanently though) and find that Jeff Beck's stuff leaves me cold. I watch some of the Ronnie Scott stuff and whilst the playing was impressive I found it a little too 'muso' and not really interesting enough to hold my attention.
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Plexi Ken on September 03, 2009, 10:26:22 AM
I just don't get Beck  :?

My experience when listening to him are as follows;
Song 1 - That's amazing technique, I couldn't play that if I practice 10hr a day,
Song 2 - HHHhhhmmmmm....
Soug 3 - What else is on?
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Twinfan on September 03, 2009, 10:58:34 AM
^ exactly my feelings too Ken  :lol:

I just don't "get" whatever it is he's supposed to have.  I can't listen to him, it bores me.  It's just widdle-widdle-widdle.
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Tellboy on September 03, 2009, 04:42:48 PM
Looks like it's the old marmite syndrome again - you either love it or hate it.

I first saw him live when I was 13 - I was absolutely gobsmacked, but the other guitarist in my group thought he was cr@p.

Even so ..I'm still with these guys...

Joe Satriani: - “If I could have an hours tuition from any guitarist it would be Jeff Beck.”

Kirk Hammett: - “Jeff Beck is going to be inducted into the Hall that night too and I'm a huge fan of his work. I can't wait to see him, and if he joined in the jam session, I would be so f*cking excited for that! If I got the chance to play along his side, it would a big honor me.”

Jennifer Batten (on getting the Jeff Beck tour gigs) – “ I was so excited I pissed my pants.” (I must admit that gets me going  :?)

Ritchie Blackmore:-“ I can turn on some jazz guitarist, and he won't do a thing for me, if he's not playing electrically. But Jeff Beck's great to listen to.”

Jimmy Page: - “When Beck is ‘on’ he’s the best.”

There are numerous other similar quotes from Steve Morse, Eric Johnson, Steve Lukather etc


Oooh and one for Twinfan:-

Billy Gibbons: "Jeff is as good a guitarist as it gets and yet he, at one time, chose to assign the singing chores to someone else. However, I invited him to appear on ZZ Top's XXX release as a singer. It was an unexpected invitation and to capture the moment, we revisited the Robert Johnson blues recordings method of setting up the recording session in Dallas in a hotel room. One take and he nailed it! 'Hey Mr. Millionaire' became another stunning example of Jeff's genius and delivery. Mercy!"

Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Ian Price on September 03, 2009, 04:54:47 PM
Marmite syndrome agreed.

I'm not sure if many pro players/musicians would want to be heard sl*gging him off though (unless they really didn't like him!)
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Tellboy on September 03, 2009, 04:59:05 PM
Marmite syndrome agreed.

I'm not sure if many pro players/musicians would want to be heard sl*gging him off though (unless they really didn't like him!)

Maybe..but conversely not many musicians go out of their way to praise other musicians unless they really like them...and these quotes are from fairly well respected guitarists...and there are many more if you google.
Just because you don't get it doesn't mean it's not there.
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Matt77 on September 03, 2009, 05:08:33 PM
I'm not even opening that - I can't stand Jeff beck!  :lol:

Listen to the Blaze of Glory soundtrack he did with Jon Bon Jovi.
You must like that?
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Ian Price on September 03, 2009, 06:20:07 PM
Maybe..but conversely not many musicians go out their way to praise other musicians unless they really like them...and these quotes are from fairly well respected guitarists...and there are many more if you google.
Just because you don't get it doesn't mean it's not there.

Maybe - although I think many words spoken nowadays are either empty or said with a motive behind them. Just my opinion of course!

I don't get it but accept it is there.
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Tellboy on September 03, 2009, 06:30:51 PM

Maybe - although I think many words spoken nowadays are either empty or said with a motive behind them. Just my opinion of course!

Don't quite get where you're coming from????? Professional/name guitarists have musicians they admire/respect (just like us) - what possible motive could they have for saying they like them? If "many words spoken nowadays are either empty or said with a motive behind them" is true perhaps we are all wasting our time on this forum!! :D :D :D

P.S. My son Adam and Mrs Tellboy don't get it either  :( :( - ......Err perhaps I should rephrase that.. Mrs Tellboy doesn't get Jeff Beck but gets 'other things' on her birthday and other special occasions.
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Twinfan on September 03, 2009, 07:21:28 PM
I think Ian is saying it's possibly 'cool' to say you like Jeff Beck.......
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Afghan Dave on September 03, 2009, 07:39:59 PM
I've spoken before about how much I like Jeff Beck so I think it neccesary to point out that my taste extends only to certain albums/tracks.

I thought Nadia "sucked donkey balls" I simply hated it...

Guitar Shop is sublime and remains astonishing decades after release. "Jeff" which he collaborated with Apollo 440 is another winner.

But I reiterate... What I don't like of Jeffs work... I F**king hate...  :?
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Ian Price on September 03, 2009, 08:06:29 PM
I think Ian is saying it's possibly 'cool' to say you like Jeff Beck.......

Cheers Dave - you should be my forum contribution editor!
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Ian Price on September 03, 2009, 08:17:43 PM
If "many words spoken nowadays are either empty or said with a motive behind them" is true perhaps we are all wasting our time on this forum!! :D :D :D

 :D :D Not what I was leaning towards but I see your point - although this forum is not made up of soundbites/single statements of praise.

I'm not sure how much time I spend on here, and it's probably a lot, but I don't consider it a waste of time. Not yet anyway.  :o
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Tellboy on September 03, 2009, 09:44:00 PM
I think Ian is saying it's possibly 'cool' to say you like Jeff Beck.......

Interesting - never heard that one before !!. I would have thought Billy Gibbons, Joe Satriani, Kirk Hammett etc were cool enough in their own right without having to name drop other guitarists. As I mentioned above I have been a fan of his since I was 13 (a VERY long time) - certainly never ever considered it to be cool - just made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up when I first saw him. However, he tended to be a bit eratic in his early career and definitely had his 'off' days (and often didn't bother to turn up for some gigs).
Surprisingly I also agree with Afghan Dave, there is some of his material I hate but overall I think he has a unique talent and feel.

Let's just leave it with the Marmite comparison !!
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Afghan Dave on September 03, 2009, 09:55:07 PM

Surprisingly I also agree with Afghan Dave, there is some of his material I hate but overall I think he has a unique talent and feel.

THANKS A BUNCH! .. Jeez...  PDT_041 I have feelings too you know...  PDT_021 PDT_018 PDT_028
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Will on September 03, 2009, 09:55:42 PM
Or maybe that its not cool to voice your dislike of him..?

Similar, but I think that could be a bit more accurate maybe?
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Tellboy on September 03, 2009, 10:06:38 PM

Surprisingly I also agree with Afghan Dave, there is some of his material I hate but overall I think he has a unique talent and feel.

THANKS A BUNCH! .. Jeez...  PDT_041 I have feelings too you know...  PDT_021 PDT_018 PDT_028


I'm sure you have unique talent and feel too Dave  or should that be a unique feel and a talent :D
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Tellboy on September 03, 2009, 10:19:15 PM
Or maybe that its not cool to voice your dislike of him..?

Similar, but I think that could be a bit more accurate maybe?

I don't think it's cool/uncool to like dislike/like Jeff Beck anymore than any other well known guitarists - you could say the same about any name musician. There seems to be more dislikers than likers on this forum - like I said - Marmite.
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Afghan Dave on September 03, 2009, 10:35:51 PM

Surprisingly I also agree with Afghan Dave, there is some of his material I hate but overall I think he has a unique talent and feel.

THANKS A BUNCH! .. Jeez...  PDT_041 I have feelings too you know...  PDT_021 PDT_018 PDT_028


I'm sure you have unique talent and feel too Dave  or should that be a unique feel and a talent :D

True... If I spot talent, I ALWAYS try to cop a feel....  PDT_003
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Philly Q on September 03, 2009, 10:41:11 PM
Or maybe that its not cool to voice your dislike of him..?

Similar, but I think that could be a bit more accurate maybe?

Agreed, I think that is the point.  He's one of those players you're supposed to be in awe of.  Whether or not it's hip-and-cool to say you like him, it's certainly frowned upon to say you don't.  The Nelson Mandela of the guitar world?

And in that respect he is different from "any name musician", or at least most of them.  Nobody's really bothered if you say you don't like Slash, or Gary Moore, or Michael Angelo Batio - it's just different musical tastes.  But if you say Beck's shite.... it's like you've let off a fart at a funeral.

Going back to "Nadia", I didn't like it, it's all a bit too microtonal for me.   I like some of Beck's stuff, but I agree with Plexi Ken's post earlier - his playing is amazing for a couple of songs, but it's very tiring on the ears somehow.  Especially his current style, with the fingerpicking and heavy use of the whammy bar, there's just too much going on and - dare I say it? - it all starts to sound the same after a while.  I saw him a few years ago and was bored to tears by the middle of the show.  I wish he'd just play a simple melody or a big dumb riff sometimes.   



Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Afghan Dave on September 03, 2009, 10:52:54 PM
I saw him a few years ago and was bored to tears by the middle of the show.  I wish he'd just play a simple melody or a big dumb riff sometimes.   

With that post you're really spoiling us.... You've hit the nail on the head Philly.
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: MrBump on September 04, 2009, 06:46:55 AM
I'll plonk myself in the category of liking Jeff.

And I love that track.
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: martinw on September 04, 2009, 07:47:12 AM
Obviously he's very gifted, great technical player, innovative, yada yada. So what?

He ignores one of the guitar's key ingredients: attack.
He could make most of those noises on a keyboard with one of those pitch-shift jobbies. Jeff, learn to use a pick again and STEP AWAY FROM THE FRICKING WHAMMY BAR! It's like Zakk and his pinched harmonics.

I'm a big fan of Billy Gibbons, but that doesn't mean I care who he likes as a player. I mean, you couldn't say that BG sounded anything like Beck, so what's the relevance?

Edit: And "great tone"? Are you kidding?
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Tellboy on September 04, 2009, 08:09:28 AM
Martin let's just agree to disagree as this thread is stuck in a loop and any further comments seem pointless.

I'm off to eat my Marmite sandwiches, play some Jeff Beck tracks and turn on my Cornford amps.....au revoir.


Guthrie Govan anyone ?????????????
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: hunter on September 05, 2009, 10:50:49 AM

Haha, seems to be quite polarising. But Martin, I think we all agree on Billy G being one of the best out there!
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Tellboy on September 05, 2009, 05:24:21 PM

I think we all agree on Billy G being one of the best out there!

+1 - But don't think I'll ever come to terms with that hat......

( Reminder....must rescue my vinyl copy of Tres Hombres  and numerous other albums from the loft before they get mouldy  :( )
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Afghan Dave on September 05, 2009, 07:48:20 PM
...I think we all agree on Billy G being one of the best out there!

AMEN to that!  PDT_003
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Lew on September 08, 2009, 12:33:48 AM
No one comes close to Beck. I understand why his modern stuff can be fatiguing though. If his style is too hectic and microtonal don't even bother trying to listen to Scott Hendersons latest stuff  :lol:

Other than Tres Hombres (which is sublime), nothing by Billy G and the gang has done anything thing for me or moved me. Even less than AC/DC. ZZ Top are the yankee Status Quo and should have changed their name to ZzZzZzZzZ Top a long time ago.

(http://kinderfresser.org/download/fun/pics/forum/flame.jpg)

 :lol:  PDT_040
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Twinfan on September 08, 2009, 08:58:33 AM
For me, ZZ Top and AC/DCs best work is their early stuff.  It was consistently great, and there's some fantastic songs out there.  They have a legacy and have earned their place in history to my mind.

Jeff Beck, on the other hand, has always been boring and naff to listen to.  In my opinion.

But don't think I'll ever come to terms with that hat......

Do you know how and why he wears the hat?  Look up the story, it's pretty cool  :)
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Tellboy on September 08, 2009, 09:39:45 AM
Do you know how and why he wears the hat?  Look up the story, it's pretty cool  :)

I still think the African chief got the best deal......I bet he had been trying to offload that for years  :lol: :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Twinfan on September 08, 2009, 09:42:48 AM
:lol:
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Lew on September 08, 2009, 04:08:09 PM

Jeff Beck, on the other hand, has always been boring and naff to listen to.  In my opinion.


Bit of an odd comment, you think Page + Beck Yardbirds were boring? Have you listened to any Beck, Bogert and Appice? At Last Rainbow (1974) and especially Live (1974) have loads of crushing riffs, the band is tighter than a nuns asshole and Becks tone is the stuff Les Paul players dreams are made of.  8)
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Twinfan on September 08, 2009, 05:47:49 PM
I've not listened to any of thatm no.  I've heard snippets of Beck in loads of places and none of it has made me want to investigate him any further!!!!
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Lew on September 08, 2009, 06:34:23 PM
If you can be bothered, get your hands on 1974 - Beck, Bogert & Appice Live. They're a bit like a really tight and explosive Cream without Ginger Bakers epileptic drumming. I think it has some of the best rock tones ever recorded, it may just change your mind about Beck :p

... or not  :lol:
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Philly Q on September 08, 2009, 06:40:47 PM
I like the Yardbirds stuff, and Truth and Beck-Ola.  Somehow never got the chance to hear any BB&A, I really should investigate it.
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Lew on September 08, 2009, 06:53:27 PM
It's a shame this vid is such poor quality, the version on Live kills me everytime.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBpSeyk1z4o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9NyC73CjTg&feature=related
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: 38thBeatle on September 08, 2009, 08:17:32 PM
I like Jeff Beck a lot though I can understand some of the negative things said. The two albums I like best are Blow by Blow and Wired. They both bring back some great memories of days long gone.
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Philly Q on September 08, 2009, 10:57:50 PM
Just watching those BB&A clips, I saw this well-known photo - which I think is the coolest "guitarist with Les Paul" picture ever:

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mq-dKm343sw/ShwuHDnjoeI/AAAAAAAACb8/ULxjVZ-xXsw/s400/jeff_beck.jpg)

Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Twinfan on September 09, 2009, 12:08:42 AM
You're wrong Phil - it's this one  ;)

(http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/members/benjammin420-albums-heroes-picture13296-a.jpg)
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Philly Q on September 09, 2009, 07:37:48 AM
I wouldn't have known who that was were it not for the guitar....

But as for the pic itself, I have to say he looks a bit constipated.  :wink:
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Tellboy on September 09, 2009, 08:29:38 AM
You're wrong Phil - it's this one  ;)

(http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/members/benjammin420-albums-heroes-picture13296-a.jpg)

What...no hat?

Lew and 38th - nice to know I'm not the only JB fan on this forum.
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Philly Q on September 09, 2009, 08:54:52 AM
It is very interesting to see that photo.  Billy Gibbons has wrapped himself in such a thick blanket of eccentricity with the beard, the sunglasses, the hats, the suits, the odd way of speaking..... it's weird to see him as a sweaty, chubby-faced normal bloke.  With a very nice guitar.
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Afghan Dave on September 10, 2009, 12:35:51 AM
You're wrong Phil - it's this one  ;)

(http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/members/benjammin420-albums-heroes-picture13296-a.jpg)

What...no hat?


Gosh.. Is it just me or is there's a bit of "Brando" about him in that photo? Cool.
Title: Re: Jeff Beck and some very tasty playing and tone!
Post by: Johnny Mac on September 14, 2009, 12:16:26 PM
^ I'd  have never known that was Billy Gibbons, yes he does look like a young Brando a bit.

I love Jeff Beck music. I was slow to take to it at first but the tune the Pump from 'Guitar Shop' kind of did it for me. I really like his 'Who Else' album and the track 'Angels Footsteps', which is done with a slide and goes right past the 22nd fret area towards the end. The tone on that is superb, from neck  p/u to bridge and controlled attack, which is beautiful.