The Best of Jeff Beck

Editorial Reviews
Album Details
Selection of his Greatest Hits featuring Rod Stewart. 16 Tracks Including Hi-Ho Silver Lining, Beck's Bolero, Love is Blue and Many More.

Tracks:

You Know What I Mean
She's A Woman
Constipated Duck
AIR Blower
Scatterbrain
Cause We've Ended As Lovers
Thelonious
Freeway Jam
Diamond Dust

Amazon.com

His guitar-slinging contributions to the Yardbirds having dwarfed those of Eric Clapton or Jimmy Page, Mrs. Beck's bad boy spent the next several years playing blues-rock (the Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart), soul-rock (the second edition of that band), and leading a power trio. Then, he made this all-instrumental album, which was a huge 1975 success. Produced by George Martin, the nine-song session finds Beck fronting a keyboards-bass-drums outfit, augmented by some tastefully unobtrusive string arrangements. Call it a jazz-fusion album at your own risk. While Beck's playing is less in-your-face than his previous efforts, all the fierce attack, thick tone, microtonal bends, distortion, feedback, vibrato, sustain, sonic hoodoo, and rhythmic and harmonic creativity that the man's fans have come to know and love can be heard here. "Freeway Jam" boasts the most memorable melody and thus remains a Classic Rock staple to this day. "Cause We've Ended As Lovers"--written by Stevie Wonder--is Beck's gorgeous tribute to one of his own guitar-heroes, the now-deceased Roy Buchanan. --Don Waller

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Version of his Classic 1975 Release.produced By George Martin.

Customer Reviews:

Against the grain but urgently needed............2007-07-16

While Jeff Beck's offering here as well as his "virtuosity" have been touted by many realms of guitar aficionadom, I can't really say that the album here (or really much of his work) represents the best of the fusion genre or even serves as a mindblowing example of how electric guitar can be played without a pick (something that many Beck devotees point out ad nauseam...ugh). His ideas really don't coalesce all that well particularly here although "Cause We've ended as Lovers" has its moments but one song really doesn't cut it.

Anyway if you really want to delve into fusion from around this time more check out Parliament, Miles Davis ("Bitches Brew Era"), or Santana. For good examples of electric guitarists who axe the pick (no pun intended) check out Mark Knopfler and Lindsey Buckingham.

Fantastic.......2007-07-09

Beck is AWESOME. One of the most underrated guitarists I've heard...ever! He's definitely every bit as good as (and probably better than) Vai, Satriani, or Wylde. Beck has proven throughout the course of his career that he is talented, flexible in his style, and can play just about any type of music...WELL!

This is a "must have" CD for anyone who loves to hear a great guitarist and appreciates the complexities and nuances of what is going on with the instrument during the song, regardless of the type of music. I would also highly recommend Jeff Beck "Guitar Shop" and "You Had it Coming".

'One' of the best guitar master works, ever........2007-06-23

Ok, so after just receiving my long awaited copy of "Blow by Blow", Digitally Remastered, Reissued and Remixed by George Martin my vote is final. This is `one' of the all-time best guitar master works ever. "Scatterbrain", "Cause We've Ended As Lovers", "Freeway Jam" and of course "Diamond Dust" being the highlights. The other trac's are also very worthy grooves on this CD. The playback on a pro rig is incredible but if you have no perks as a professional it also sounds great on my iPod ripped in high-res. :-) Listen to the complete work.

enjoyable for the guitar lovers out there.......2007-05-19

I don't know much about Jeff Beck. I know he's listed as a highly innovative guitarist with a distinct sound, and that Rod Stewart used to be the lead singer in the older version of his band. I also know he's supposedly a hard person to get along with, which explains all the lineup changes over the years. Ritchie Blackmore had the same problem with the band Rainbow. No two Rainbow albums are alike because of that.

Anyway, since I know very little about this underrated guitar genius, I told myself "It's time to buy something... how about Blow By Blow?" Good choice? Yes! I also had friends who helped influence my decision to check out his stuff.

Let's be completely honest- even though "Freeway Jam" and "You Know What I Mean" are the popular songs on the album, you won't hear those songs on regular FM radio. Maybe back in the day, when this album was brand new, those songs would be played. No longer, unfortunately.

Really, my impression of Beck based on this experience was a very guitar-dominated album, with the occasional touches of slow blues, but mostly focusing on lengthy jams. There are some moments of funk and jazz, but those don't happen very often.

It's definitely not a typical guitar instrumental album, because of Beck's talent for throwing in dazzling little touches here and there. I actually love the music though, and repeated listens reveals a very spectacular and worthy album overall.

We know what you mean.......2007-02-13

Blow by Blow (1975) Jeff Beck's fifth studio album.

After a brief but potential stint with Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice in '73 and '74, Jeff finally went out on his own. The 'Jeff Beck Group' was finally at an end, and Beck knew that he would be going solo from now on. The result was a complete turn-around from his normal material, but that didn't bring it down in the slightest. In fact, it helped to develop his sound in a new way; he took on a new genre of music and made it his own. The sound is very distinct, as it is on the follow-up album "Wired". But what happened here in 1975 was nothing short of spectacular, and it stands as one of the finest and best-selling instrumental albums of all time, climbing the charts to hit an incredibly respectable number four.

Though every track here is outstanding, there are a few that absolutely blow you away. The starter, "You Know What I Mean", is a funky, jazz-rooted song that lures you into what this album is all about. Beck doesn't waste time to impress you. Solos sear across this first song which also features some very neat drum work. Three tracks that follow after this, "Constipated Duck", "Air Blower", and "Scatterbrain", are all genius, diving into a mix of rock and fusion, taking the jaziness of it and throwing it all around. All of these appear frequently in the sets that Mr. Beck does live.

The next and most famous track, "Cause We've Ended As Lovers", is Beck's signature song. No one dares to cover this song because they know that they can't do it better than Jeff. He makes his guitar cry. It pleads, weeping and wailing, yet it sighs so softly. It is incredible the amount of control that Beck demonstrates with his Stratocaster on this song. Another standout is "Freeway Jam", which has remained a radio staple for several years. Overall, this album is a must-have to anyone who is considering even looking to play a guitar. Instrumental albums don't get much better than this, and even Beck, in all his greatness, has found it difficult to produce another album of this calibre. Five stars up and away.

Average customer rating:

Great Compilation
Beck at his Best
Some of his best ever
Amazing guitarist at his best
the novice's view

The Best of Beck
Jeff Beck
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Guitar Gods | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Blow by Blow
Jeff Beck's Guitar Shop
Who Else!
Wired
There and Back

ASIN: B000002AAU
Release Date: 1995-08-15

Tracks:

The Pump
People Get Ready
Freeway Jam
Shapes Of Things
Where Were You
Beck's Bolero
Going Down
Jailhouse Rock
Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
Blue Wind
Plynth (Water Down The Drain)
Two Rivers
Scatterbrain
She's A Woman

Customer Reviews:

Great Compilation.......2007-05-10

This is a great introduction to Jeff Beck. From the mid to late 60's to the late 80's a large chunk of the mans career is covered. Many different styles are covered from blues based material down to more Jazz-Rock based stuff such 'Blue Wind' recorded with the the Jan Hammer group in 1976 and 'Goodbye Pork Pie Hat' recorded a year earlier. Whatever style he plays Jeff Beck always lets the soulful side of the guitar come through. There is a much more comprehensive 3 CD boxed set available called 'Beckology', but if you're really unsure about whether to take a chance this is as good a place to start as any.

Beck at his Best.......2007-05-08

The song, "People Get on Board," with Rod Stewart is, alone, worth the price of the album.

Some of his best ever.......2006-02-01

The Best of Beck is an abridged account of Jeff Beck. It covers his entire career after he left the Yardbirds.
Many of his best songs are included such as, The Pump, People Get Ready with Rod Stewart, Freeway Jam from Blow by Blow.
Where were You from Guitar Shop is also included and one of his best ever. You also get Going Down from the second version of the Jeff Beck Group.
Goodbye Pork Pie Hat from Blue Wind is also included.
Jeff Beck has numerous other songs that are not included on this album.
If you want the real deal get Beckology.
Beckology is much more extensive and includes his best songs from the Yardbird days.
There is nothing wrong with this album, its just that there is so much more that is not included.
If you want the Best of Beck in a nutshell then this is for you.

Amazing guitarist at his best.......2005-09-06

Jeff Beck is the kind of guitarist that most rockers would love to be able to emulate. He is truly a virtuoso up there in the ranks with the best ever but he tops them all in his unique approach. No one fills a space better than Jeff. And this cd shows his influence over 40 years of rock and roll brilliantly. He has always been fearless and he's never been boring or predictable. Almost every song leaves the listener with a "how did he do that?" impression. I highly recommend this collection to anyone unfamiliar with his incredible contributions to the art of rock music and to his many fans who just need a "Beck fix" from time to time.

the novice's view.......2004-03-08

I must admit that I'm not big on jazz-rock fusion, which is the territory most readily claimed by Jeff Beck. I'm more into traditional/country/folk rock of the Stephen Stills/Neil Young/Dave Mason variety. I'm not completely unfamiliar with Jeff's work, but tend toward his more traditional work with The Yardbirds, and even owned 'The Jeff Beck Group', perhaps his most commercial LP, on vinyl in the 1970's. Sitting on the fringe of the jazz-rock fusion movement, I've perused and owned works by artists such as Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea, but find Jeff's work the most appealing. Nevertheless, compared to many of the writers here, I'm lucky to know my Jeff Beck from my Beck, so take my advice for what it's worth.

This album has some great numbers on it, the majority of which are jazz-rock instrumentals. There is no question that Jeff Beck is one of the great guitarists of the modern era, regularly coaxing complex and creative sounds from his instrument. Among my favorites are the live recording of 'Blue Wind', 'Plynth', the familiar (though I'm not sure why) 'Freeway Jam', and the opening cut 'The Pump'. There is an instrumental cover of The Beatles' 'She's a Woman', though it is so heavily interpreted that it is difficult to hear The Beatles' chords coming through. This music is great for seeking escape into another dimension, exploring alternative aural passages, and trying to follow the intricate workings of Beck's mind taking form on his fretboard. For whatever reason, I find it great cruising music in the car.

There are several songs offering lyrics, such as Bob Tench's raspy, energetic delivery on 'Going Down', and Rod Stewart's inspired cover of The Impression's 1965 hit 'People Get Ready'. There are covers of The Yardbird's 'Shapes of Things' (if one can 'cover' ones own work...), and Elvis' 'Jailhouse Rock'. The cover of 'Shapes of Things' is more flamboyant than it's predecessor, and I think I prefer the more basic rock version, though this is interesting, too. 'Jailhouse Rock' probably should have been left to Elvis. It's just too simple and familiar of a song to be getting the Beck treatment.

Tracks:

Hi-Ho Silver Lining
Beck's Bolero
Greensleeves
You Shook Me
Tallyman
Rock My Plimsoul
Jailhouse Rock
Shapes Of Things
All Shook Up
I Ain't Superstitious
Plynth (Water Down The Drain)
Love Is Blue
Morning Dew
Spanish Boots
Rice Pudding
I've Been Drinking

Album Details

Selection of his Greatest Hits featuring Rod Stewart. 16 Tracks Including Hi-Ho Silver Lining, Beck's Bolero, Love is Blue and Many More.

Customer Reviews:

Some of Beck's Finest Recordings!.......2005-06-04

This compilation contains the best tracks from the first two Jeff Beck Group albums from 1968 and 1969. Moreover there are some great singles only tracks from the same period.

Beck's first album "Truth" is possibly his greatest and most consistent release. 7 of the tracks come from that album. "Beck's Bolero" is in all but name the Yardbirds, in the same line-up that did "Happening 10 Years Time Ago" and the "Blow Up" performance. Beck's version of Willie Dixon's "You Shook Me" sounds a lot like early Led Zeppelin; even Rod Stewart sounds like Robert Plant. Other highlights from that album is the re-recording of "Shapes of Things", which has been slowed down a little making it an ever greater song.

Their second album "Beck Ola" is represented by 5 tracks. The album is not nearly as strong as "Truth" - the material weaker, some songs go on for too long and Stewart's vocals can be a little overstrung at times. Best track from that album is "Plynth".

Among the single tracks "Tallyman" is a great mod/pop-art piece sounding like Creation or the Who. Written by Graham Gouldman. Another hit-single was "Hi Ho Silver Lining" - a commercial song featuring a very unorthodox guitar-solo from Beck. Sounding quite a lot like the Yardbirds.

The CD is very recommendable for fans of the Yardbirds - though the re-release of "Truth" with bonus-tracks may be an even more satisfying investment.

It Rocks My Plimsoul For Sure.......2002-07-04

Super compilation featuring some awesome Jeff Beck guitar licks. The man displays great power and creative touches on his guitar. Sometimes loud and sometimes soft but always good.

And of course there are some awesome contributions by Rod Stewart, Mick Waller, Ron Wood, and Nicky Hopkins. The version of Jailhouse Rock is just mind blowing. What lightning fast fingers on the keyboards by Mr. Hopkins. I've Been Drinking is another highlight with some excellent vocals by Rod set to a nice gospel backing. The guitar solo just sends shivers down my spine. Rock My Plimsoul has a great tone and Love Is Blue features some nice color on the guitar tones.

This is a near five star compilation. A few tracks are a bit overdone most notably All Shook Up is totally unrecognizable from the original. Its done too heavy handed. Spanish Boots also suffers a similar fate and Rice Pudding goes on a bit too long. However, out of sixteen tracks about ten or twelve are clearly Grade A.

Great!.......2000-12-31

This CD was excellent. It covered Jeff's work in this era more so than Beckology did. What Beckology didnt have, this did. Great best of CD.

Gemm!.......2000-03-23

Gemm! Nice compilation of the *best* Jeff Beck group. If you are rock & blues guitar fan you must own this CD.

Average customer rating:

Best of Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Manufacturer: Disky Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music

Guitar Gods | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Classic Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Hard Rock & Metal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 International | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000005RNN
Release Date: 1996-05-29

Tracks:

Hi-Ho Silver Lining
Beck's Bolero
Greensleeves
You Shook Me
Tallyman
Rock My Plimsoul
Jailhouse Rock
Shapes of Things
All Shook Up
I Ain't Superstitious
Plynth (Water Down the Drain)
Love Is Blue
Morning Dew
Spanish Boots
Rice Pudding
I've Been Drinking

Album Description

Disky.

Album Details

Best of Collection from One of Britiain's Greatest Guitar Virtuosos. He's Worked with Everybody from Rod Stewart to Mick Jagger to Roger Waters to Jon Bon Jovi. This Collection Includes the Timeless Tracks 'Shapes of Things', 'Beck's Bolero', 'You Shook Me' and More.

Average customer rating:

The Best of Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck With Rod Stewart
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000M8N480
Release Date: 2007-01-09

Tracks:

Hi-Ho Silver Lining
Beck's Bolero
Greensleeves
You Shook Me
Tallyman
Rock My Plimsoul
Jailhouse Rock
Shapes of Things
All Shook Up
I Ain't Superstitious
Plynth (Water Down the Drain)
Love Is Blue
Morning Dew
Spanish Boots
Rice Pudding
I've Been Drinking

Average customer rating:

Best of Beck/Jeff/ Stewart
Jeff Beck , and R Stewart
Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Visi
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Guitar Gods | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000E1UJ
Release Date: 1996-11-21

Album Description

Mid-priced 1996 compilation on Disky featuring 16 of hisbest with Rod Stewart, 1967-1969. Includes 'Beck's Bolero','You Shook Me', 'Jailhouse Rock', 'Shapes Of Things', 'IAin't Superstitious', 'Love Is Blue', etc.

Average customer rating:

Truth & Beck Ola
Jeff Best
Manufacturer: Japanese Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Country | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000657WI
Release Date: 2002-04-16

Average customer rating:

The Best of Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Manufacturer: Simply the Best
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music

Guitar Gods | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000093FKV
Release Date: 2003-04-29

Tracks:

Hi-Ho Silver Lining
Beck's Bolero
Greensleeves
You Shook Me
Tallyman
Rock My Plimsoul
Jailhouse Rock
Shapes of Things
All Shook Up
I Ain't Superstitious
Plynth (Water Down the Drain)
Love Is Blue
Morning Dew
Spanish Boots
Rice Pudding
I've Been Drinking

Average customer rating:

Best of Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Manufacturer: Musicrama/Koch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Hi-Ho Silver Lining
Beck's Bolero
Greensleeves
You Shook Me
Tallyman
Rock My Plimsoul
Jailhouse Rock
Shapes of Things
All Shook Up
I Ain't Superstitious
Plynth (Water Down the Drain)
Love Is Blue
Morning Dew
Spanish Boots
Rice Pudding
I've Been Drinking

Average customer rating:

Best Of Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Manufacturer: Toshi
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Guitar Gods | Rock Guitarists | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000088SC
Release Date: 1999-04-01

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring Four Bonus Tracks: Becks Bordello (Original Stereo Mix), Blues Deluxe, Rock My Prim Soul (Original Mono Mix), and Becks Bordello (Original Mono Mix).

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review