G.O.A.T. is a tall order, but JB would have to get my vote as well. He transcended styles and eras, somehow both above and part of it all. He never stopped dialing in his style - as Andee Blacksugar put it, he was 'relentlessly evolving.' As a guitar player I sound nothing like him, but along with Jimi he's been my most profound influence. I'm sad there will be no more new JB to listen to, but thankful that he left so much behind to revisit.
Thank you for this awesome article! Admittedly I needed context that you provided, to fully appreciate the genius of JB. Because he was so good at so many things (like the author!) I inadvertently pigeonholed JB as “only” having been at the pinnacle of jazz-fusion when he was so much more! Well done 👍
Thank you so much for this treasure trove of information Alex. I will have to read this entire article couple of times over. This is a wonderful tribute well articulated and as in my case extremely informative so thank you again
Excellent informative tribute covering all the bases…including the masters triangle of Chick, Mclaughlin and Holdsworth….Beck to me had his precision nuanced style…with Blow by Blow being somewhat of a masterpiece…and besides the music…put his photo in the dictionary under style/cool….
GOAT, as you stated, is very subjective. Like good red wine, everyone’s taste is different. In sports, we have concrete statistics to make strong cases. But with Jeff, I believe we also have many stats that would verify the title of GOAT. His longevity, his pursuit of different types and styles. And the fact, at least in my eyes and ears, he hadn’t reached his peak. Maybe close, but I have no doubt that he had more to give. He was, and is the complete history of blues, rock, jazz, fusion, and classical electric guitar! As a former drummer, he will always be my ,”Greatest of all Time!”💔
Thanks for this. Beck possessed a generational gift of lapidary phrasing in an immaculate and fingerprint-unique tone. I love that you mentioned Guitar Shop. When I was 17, in the second year of my inauspicious but happy relationship with the guitar, my teacher recommended that album and I listened to it constantly (though, I only really loved the song Stand On It). Beck had what I never developed on the instrument--perfect intonation and, again, a pure and unique tone. And his right-hand technique--I still don't even understand how it works!
Like you, I always kept him in my musical awareness as one of the very greats. Losing him and Eddie in a relatively short period of time has been gutting.
Great stuff!!! I was lucky enough to see him years ago touring with Jennifer Batten. Definitely one of the best shows I’ve ever seen in a huge fan since I was a kid after I do the record store had any Blow by Blow when I asked him to turn me on to something a great guitar playing!! Any style he decided to get into either as well or better than anyone!!
This is a wonderful “tribute”. Thank you for taking the time to put your thoughts down and share through substack. I’m close in age to you and had similar experiences growing up listening to all of my favorites and influences as a teenager trying to learn to play guitar. I was fortunate enough to see Jeff Beck on his Sound and Fury Tour with SRV back in 89. I was on the front row and that experience never left me. I even remember the next day wearing my Guitar Shop tour t-shirt to my college class. I’ve seen some incredible shows, but it has always been my favorite (when people ask that, what is your favorite concert, question). The other time was with Jennifer Batten, supporting the Who Else record. Another amazing show and support of Jennifer, who was up and coming at the time. What most of us fans know, is that he supported so many amazing musicians and never stole the limelight or had ego get in the way of the music. So many great tributes out there (Imogen Heap, Rhonda Smith, Tal Wilkenfeld, Warren Haynes and Tommy Taylor, to name a few) and again, I thank you for your heartfelt tribute. I always will think of Jeff Beck as our “Picasso” or “Dali”. The impact of his musical legacy will live on for generations to come and influence many listeners and players alike. Thank you & Cheers. RIP Jeff Beck
G.O.A.T. is a tall order, but JB would have to get my vote as well. He transcended styles and eras, somehow both above and part of it all. He never stopped dialing in his style - as Andee Blacksugar put it, he was 'relentlessly evolving.' As a guitar player I sound nothing like him, but along with Jimi he's been my most profound influence. I'm sad there will be no more new JB to listen to, but thankful that he left so much behind to revisit.
Thank you for this awesome article! Admittedly I needed context that you provided, to fully appreciate the genius of JB. Because he was so good at so many things (like the author!) I inadvertently pigeonholed JB as “only” having been at the pinnacle of jazz-fusion when he was so much more! Well done 👍
Thank you so much for this treasure trove of information Alex. I will have to read this entire article couple of times over. This is a wonderful tribute well articulated and as in my case extremely informative so thank you again
Thank you so much, Alex! That is one beautiful tribute to my personal choice of G.O.A.T.!
Excellent informative tribute covering all the bases…including the masters triangle of Chick, Mclaughlin and Holdsworth….Beck to me had his precision nuanced style…with Blow by Blow being somewhat of a masterpiece…and besides the music…put his photo in the dictionary under style/cool….
I was fortunate to be at the ARMs concert in the early 80’s. Clapton, Page and Beck all played. JB blew the others away!
That was beautiful alex
GOAT, as you stated, is very subjective. Like good red wine, everyone’s taste is different. In sports, we have concrete statistics to make strong cases. But with Jeff, I believe we also have many stats that would verify the title of GOAT. His longevity, his pursuit of different types and styles. And the fact, at least in my eyes and ears, he hadn’t reached his peak. Maybe close, but I have no doubt that he had more to give. He was, and is the complete history of blues, rock, jazz, fusion, and classical electric guitar! As a former drummer, he will always be my ,”Greatest of all Time!”💔
Great article.
If Hendrix was our Mozart then Jeff Beck would be our Beethoven.
Thanks for this. Beck possessed a generational gift of lapidary phrasing in an immaculate and fingerprint-unique tone. I love that you mentioned Guitar Shop. When I was 17, in the second year of my inauspicious but happy relationship with the guitar, my teacher recommended that album and I listened to it constantly (though, I only really loved the song Stand On It). Beck had what I never developed on the instrument--perfect intonation and, again, a pure and unique tone. And his right-hand technique--I still don't even understand how it works!
Like you, I always kept him in my musical awareness as one of the very greats. Losing him and Eddie in a relatively short period of time has been gutting.
That was great Thanks
Fantastic read.
Great stuff!!! I was lucky enough to see him years ago touring with Jennifer Batten. Definitely one of the best shows I’ve ever seen in a huge fan since I was a kid after I do the record store had any Blow by Blow when I asked him to turn me on to something a great guitar playing!! Any style he decided to get into either as well or better than anyone!!
When I was 13 years old, I had a chance to go see JB at the Winnipeg Arena in 1976. He was touring with Jan Hammer.
I passed. :-(
Biggest regret of my life.
This is a wonderful “tribute”. Thank you for taking the time to put your thoughts down and share through substack. I’m close in age to you and had similar experiences growing up listening to all of my favorites and influences as a teenager trying to learn to play guitar. I was fortunate enough to see Jeff Beck on his Sound and Fury Tour with SRV back in 89. I was on the front row and that experience never left me. I even remember the next day wearing my Guitar Shop tour t-shirt to my college class. I’ve seen some incredible shows, but it has always been my favorite (when people ask that, what is your favorite concert, question). The other time was with Jennifer Batten, supporting the Who Else record. Another amazing show and support of Jennifer, who was up and coming at the time. What most of us fans know, is that he supported so many amazing musicians and never stole the limelight or had ego get in the way of the music. So many great tributes out there (Imogen Heap, Rhonda Smith, Tal Wilkenfeld, Warren Haynes and Tommy Taylor, to name a few) and again, I thank you for your heartfelt tribute. I always will think of Jeff Beck as our “Picasso” or “Dali”. The impact of his musical legacy will live on for generations to come and influence many listeners and players alike. Thank you & Cheers. RIP Jeff Beck