Back in April, I wrote about a remarkable concert given by Jeff Beck and his group at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Connecticut. One of the sequences of the show that was absolutely startling was a solo taken by Tal Wilkenfeld, a 23-year-old bassist from Australia who looks no more than about 17, during which … Continue reading Jeff Beck gives Tal a hand
Late last year, Jeff Beck released his third live album since 2006, Performing This Week … Live At Ronnie Scott’s, recorded at the legendary London jazz club. Later this month, a DVD of the performance will be released by Eagle Rock Entertainment. Beck, acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest guitar players, has had a varied career … Continue reading Performing now … the one and only Jeff Beck
In the first half of the year, I’ve been listening to three CDs quite a bit, all beautifully executed but quite different from one another. They are easily three of the best records from the first six months of 2010 and three you should give a listen. The Chieftains’ San Patricio gives a featured billing … Continue reading Three for 2010: Chieftains, Farnham & Beck
So many times, directors just get it wrong when making a concert film. Too many quick cuts, MTV-style editing, no focus on the performers, annoying special effects. It’s not only in recent years either. The effects problem started way back when Tony Palmer documented Cream playing its Farewell concert at Royal Albert Hall in 1968. … Continue reading Seeing Beck play is believing
Billed as the Legendary Jeff Beck, the guitar maestro walked onto the stage of the 4,000-seat MGM Grand at Foxwoods Saturday night decked out like a white knight. He had on a white T-shirt, white vest, white scarf, skin-tight white pants tucked into white boots with fringe and a white, the body naturally yellowed, Fender Strat … Continue reading Bolero, Beck-Style
The two tracks below were recorded about two years apart at different studios and with different drummers. They show off two distinct sides of the band Napi Browne, which played extensively in southern New England and Long Island in the late 1970s and early ’80s. The first, Forget All About It, is an all-out, straight-ahead rocker, written by … Continue reading Napi Browne: Two sides to the band
The last time we had seen Joe Bonamassa was about five years ago in New London, Conn., at the Garde Arts Center with Sam Bush and his band playing in support of the young blues master. A lot has transpired since then. Bonamassa can fill a much larger venue now because of his relentless touring … Continue reading Joe Bonamassa at Symphony Hall
Best 10, plus one, I’ve heard this year: 1. Hard Bargain, Emmylou Harris: A longtime fan, I was still stunned by the beauty and poignancy of this record. Dark but not despairing lyrics that hold a wealth of experience and ring true. Spare instrumentation expertly chosen, and a clear, full production by Jay Joyce. Harris, whose voice … Continue reading Best of 2011 so far
Here’s my Top 10 for the past year along with a few bonus selections and various related categories: 1. The Union, Elton John & Leon Russell: A collaboration made in heaven and one wonders why it took so long for these two to get together. The record brings out their similarities, differences and a wonderful melding … Continue reading The Best of 2010
Last July, blues guitarist Mick Taylor was scheduled to play four shows in New England during an American Tour, his first gigs in the U.S. since 2007. The entire tour was canceled, though, after Taylor was diagnosed with a blood clot in his chest and pleurisy. Recovered and looking healthy, Taylor rescheduled the tour for … Continue reading Mick Taylor finally arrives in America