(Used) JEFF BECK cd collection Blow by Blow Wired There And Back Live
Jeff Beck was one of rock music’s most inventive guitarists. Rather than relying on speed alone, he treated the electric guitar as an expressive instrument, using feedback, harmonics, volume control and subtle changes in touch to produce an extraordinary range of sounds.
After his work with the Yardbirds, the Jeff Beck Group and Beck, Bogert & Appice, he moved towards instrumental jazz-rock fusion. These four CDs document that crucial period, combining technical brilliance with funk, blues, rock and electronic experimentation.
Jeff Beck – Blow by Blow
Released in 1975, Blow by Blow marked Beck’s decisive move into instrumental jazz fusion. Produced by George Martin, the album balances technical sophistication with strong melodies and an accessible, warm sound.
“Freeway Jam” is built around an infectious guitar riff, while “Scatterbrain” demonstrates the precision of Beck and drummer Richard Bailey. His emotional interpretation of Stevie Wonder’s “Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers” became one of his signature performances. “Air Blower” and the orchestral “Diamond Dust” provide further highlights.
The ideal starting point for anyone exploring Jeff Beck’s instrumental work.
Jeff Beck – Wired
Wired followed in 1976 with a harder, sharper and more energetic approach. Jan Hammer’s synthesiser work and Narada Michael Walden’s powerful drumming give the album a futuristic jazz-rock character.
“Led Boots” opens with a heavy funk groove, followed by the rapid exchanges of “Come Dancing” and “Head for Backstage Pass.” Beck’s version of Charles Mingus’s “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” shows his more reflective side, while “Blue Wind” became another live favourite.
More intense than Blow by Blow and essential for listeners who enjoy 1970s jazz fusion.
Jeff Beck – There and Back
Released in 1980, There and Back connects Beck’s 1970s fusion period with the cleaner, more electronic sound of the following decade.
“Star Cycle” and “You Never Know” feature compositions by Jan Hammer, while “El Becko,” “Space Boogie” and “Too Much to Lose” combine intricate musicianship with strong rhythmic drive. “The Pump” is the album’s standout atmospheric piece, allowing Beck’s controlled phrasing and expressive tone to take centre stage.
A polished but powerful album that deserves greater attention within his catalogue.
Jeff Beck with the Jan Hammer Group – Live
Released in 1977, this album captures Beck performing with keyboardist Jan Hammer and his group during the height of the jazz-fusion era.
The set includes muscular live versions of “Freeway Jam,” “Scatterbrain,” “Blue Wind” and “She’s a Woman,” alongside Jan Hammer Group material such as “Earth (Still Our Only Home)” and “Full Moon Boogie.” Beck’s guitar and Hammer’s synthesiser frequently trade lines, creating the feeling of two lead instruments challenging each other.
An exciting companion to Blow by Blow and Wired—and evidence that this technically complex music could become even more powerful onstage.