Thursday, August 20, 2009

DVD of the Day - "Jeff Beck Live at Ronnie Scott's"

DVD of the Day
Jeff Beck: "Performing This Week... Live at Ronnie Scott's" (Eagle Vision/ST2)

After having attended Beck's beyond words performance at Montreux last month (http://jazzstation-oblogdearnaldodesouteiros.blogspot.com/search?q=Montreux) and
http://jazzstation-oblogdearnaldodesouteiros.blogspot.com/2009/07/unbelievable-jeff-beck-miles-davis-hall.html,
it's great to remember some of those great moments by watching this DVD that also features the amazing talents of the Bass Princess Tal Winkenfeld and the virtuoso drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. Jeff Beck is a true guitar hero, a living legend. From his time with the Yardbirds in the sixties, through the Jeff Beck Group and throughout his solo career his unique guitar style and constant desire to explore new musical areas and sounds has won him the admiration of his peers and the adoration of legions of fans.

In 2007, Beck performed a series of concerts at the renowned Ronnie Scott's club in London. They became the must have ticket of the year with a packed audience every night of the famous and the fans. This DVD features pieces recorded across the different nights and presents the best version of each track. Jeff is also joined by guests Joss Stone (looking delicious and singing very well in an ordinary song, "People Get Ready"), Imogen Heap (exotic looking in not so good tunes either) and Eric Clapton (the usual competence) for some not so special performances. The best tracks are performed without the guests, my personal favorite one being a groovin' killer version of Billy Cobham's fusion classic "Stratus." Curiously, Billy's name is not credited nor mentioned anywhere/anytime in this 155-minute long DVD...

The track list also includes "Beck's Bolero" (the stunning opening theme), "Eternity's Breath," a lovely version of Stevie Wonder's ballad "Cause We've Ended As Lovers," "Behind The Veil," "You Never Know," "Nadia," "Blast From The East," "Led Boots," "Angel (Footsteps)", a great medley of "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" (yes, the Charles Mingus jazz standard) with "Brush With The Blues," an inspired take on The Beatles' "A Day In The Life" (memories of Wes!) and the very last moving encore "Where Were You."

Bonus Material includes a are in depth Jeff Beck interview talking about Ronnie Scott's, his band, the setlist and his guest performers, plus interviews with the fantastic band members: Tal Wilkenfeld (bass), Vinnie Colaiuta (drums) & Jason Rebello (keyboards).

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