This live Jeff Beck album was originally an Epic Records Japan only release in 2003. It was taken from a live concert at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, New York and recorded on 10th September 2003. It was available in a limited way via Sony Music's online store but slipped under the net a little. Friday Music remastered it and re-released it in 2011 which is the version you have here.

This CD constitutes a reunion of Jeff Beck's 'Guitar Shop' trio. Playing with keyboardist Tony Hymas and drumming monster Terry Bozzio, the iconoclastic British guitar icon revisits, albeit somewhat tentatively, old favourites from his pioneering fusion days past, as well as selections from his most recent recordings, shorn for the most part, of their techno trappings. The highlights are the one of a kind cuts "People Get Ready" and "A Day in the Life," that a master interpretive artist ultimately makes the most of - and that's exactly what Beck does.

In the slightly contrary fashion that marked so much of Beck's career, the disc picks up speed by shifting gears via slowing down  with ballads. The stinging bittersweet flavour of "Nadia" carries over into "Season" with a similar poignant pulse, while "Angel (Footsteps)" is haunting in a way such intense sound rarely is: the power in Beck's playing is undeniable, even when he plays in a comparatively understated approach and to hear him accomplish such atmospheric results from the stage is testament to his genius.

No more so than the way he takes Lennon/McCartney's famous climax to 'Sgt Pepper' and turns it to his own ends. Originally recorded as a tribute to producer George Martin, who produced both the Beatles and Beck, Beck brings out the duality of the tune and injects the famous coda with all the ominous overtones the authors' ever intended. Likewise, Beck brings a deeply soulful, almost religious feel to "People Get Ready," the Curtis Mayfield tune Beck originally recorded with erstwhile vocalist Rod Stewart; Beck elicits the yearning as well as the redemptive qualities from the song in their respective glory.

There's a deeper blues tint to that track than in "Brush with the Blues" itself, but the gospel feel is such that it's almost surprising, given the fanatic response Beck receives throughout the rest of this performance, that the crowd did not start singing along. Perhaps they didn't dare intrude any more than Hymas, who stays respectfully in the background, alternately echoing guitar riffs with synthesizers and sprinkling in little piano parts (not mention the bass), while Bozzio nearly challenges Beck at some points - hear "Savoy," recalling the great Elvin Jones/John Coltrane drum duets.

If that sounds like hyperbole, take a couple listens to this CD and see if you're not at least somewhat amazed at the sound of this music - even without much production, it is gigantic - and the technique of the guitarist at the centre of it.

The CD is in superb condition and looks near as dammit, good as new.

Grab this super rare Jeff Beck CD while you can....

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