So last night I saw him in concert for the first time. I've seen a fair number of great players over the years (Satriani, Johnson, Di Meola, Vai, etc. - you get it), and I can scratch Beck off the list now. I've got a few of his CDs, and seeing him live did not disapoint. This dude is unbelievable - he makes it look so easy. Seriously, he walks around and plays like it's nothing. It's like the guitar is part of him (which by now, probably is). Speaking of the guitar, his strat is beautiful. It's a very clean/elegant instrument. I thought about getting one, but then thought "Why? I'm nowhere near good enough to play one at this point." I'll stick with my CP 60s - good enough for me. Meanwhile, if you havent seen this guy play live, he's on tour - now's your chance. Now if only I could see David Gilmour live. Anyway, just thought I'd share - thanx for reading.

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'10 Gibson LP Studio Faded
'09 Fender American Standard Stratocaster
'08 Fender Classic Player 60s Stratocaster
'07 Fender Classic Player Baja Telecaster
'05 Breedlove AC 25 SR Plus

Hi strattastic12: sounds great.

Tell us more: where was he playing? Where were you sitting? What were the standout numbers?

And did you get any pix?

Cheers - C

Hey Ceri,

It was at the Wolf Trap in Vienna, Va (metro DC) - I'd never been there before; beautiful venue on a perfect night. He started out with Stratus and nailed it. He also played Somewhere Over the Rainbow, A Day in the Life, Big Block, and People Get Ready (Rod Stewart was not there) - the guitar sang. He played other stuff I didn't recognize, but it was all good. At one point he played a butterscotch telecaster for a song, then quickly changed back to his strat. For the encore he played his custom LP and played a tribute to Les Paul - same song he played at the Grammys. I've never seen a guy who's tone can so quickly go from angelic tone to such mean growl.

All told, the show came in at just under two hours, but they never took a break. He is rediculously good, and so is his backing band. The drummer was awesome, but he wore a black vest with purple sequins. I guess when you play like that, you can wear whatever you want The bass player was a woman named Rhonda Smith, and let me tell you, that girl can play. She's Billy Sheehan good. My seats were great - orchestra section, probably 50 feet from the stage, off to the right. The only problem was that many of Beck's fans are around his age, especially the ones sitting in my row, and quite a few of them had a "going" problem. One guy got up at least four times - when you gotta go, you gotta go. But anyway, what a great show. I'm so lucky to have seen so many great performers. Pics are another story. The Wolf Trap has a pretty stringent pic policy, and the ushers were walking around like imperial stormtroopers, so I came up empty there. But hey, at least there were no flashes during the show - seriously, I don't think I saw one flash the whole time. If you get a chance, do yourself a favor and check this guy out.

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'10 Gibson LP Studio Faded
'09 Fender American Standard Stratocaster
'08 Fender Classic Player 60s Stratocaster
'07 Fender Classic Player Baja Telecaster
'05 Breedlove AC 25 SR Plus

I'm a recent Beck convert. Didn't get his style for years. Now, I just think he blows the doors off guitar playing. He has put his energies into his musicality as well as technical virtuousity over the years, and it shows.

His new album is first rate, but his version of Nessan Dorma on that recording is the greatest thing I've heard an electric guitar play. Obviously the note choice is pre-determined, but his phrasing, vibrato, pitch bending, his manipulation of volume and tone dynamics is mind boggling, once your ear is mature enough to appreciate the subtlety. There are times when you would believe you were listening to a singer rather than a guitar..

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Fender Highway & Classic 60s Strats, Fender Toronado, Telecaster, Gretsch Projet, Charvel 3, PRS SE Soapbar II & Custom 24, Burns Batwing and many others!

Now!! That's a good concert report!! Thanks for sharing it with us. Wish I was There!!

Sweet!

I saw him on his 65th birthday last year. An amazing gig! Jimmy Page and Gary Moore were in the audience.

I've got tikets to see him again in October. Can't wait!

Andy

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Pending Greatness

no way man! I was there too! I was out on the lawn but we had a great view from the front of it. That man can play guitar.

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Blues is easy to play, but hard to feel.
-- Jimi Hendrix, quoted in: Charles Shaar Murray, Crosstown Traffic (1989)

Saw him in Boston last Thursday night.
Seems like much the same set list as well.

I wasn't very happy with his latest cd to be honest...seemed something was missing. But this concert totally made up for it. He played about 1hr 45Min and each song was great. No singing and very little talk from Beck himself but he's never been one to talk to the crowd. His guitar did all the talking and so effortlessly! Great band behind him too.

Derek Trucks and his wife Susan Tedeschi, with band, opened up the show.
My first chance to see Derek somewhat on his own...last time I saw him he was Clapton's second guitar. I've seen his wife on her own tours. Great voice on that woman!!!!

It was an outdoor concert on a warm night by the harbor.
Rain like crazy an hour before the show but it cleared up by showtime.
Sat next to the sound board/lighting control area and lots of room to stretch out.

Tickets were $45 too! Those were the most expensive tickets!

If you get a chance take him in.
-T

Hopefully I can see him this summer!

I was at Wolftrap myself.

Wolftrap is hands down one of the finest sounding music amphitheaters on the East coast.

Beck was top shelf all night. I loved it.

I echo everyone else's comments on the show.

If you get chance to see him -- go now. Lord knows if this guy will tour again anytime soon.

I also bought a killer shirt from the show. It is black and has Beck jamming on his strat in white fading into the shirt.

I saw those t-shirts - they were $35. After 2 really bad beers for $16 (Newcastle "Summer Ale" - don't do it), I didn't feel like handing over another $35, tho the t-shirt was better than my beer. Concert t-shirts have gotten way too expensive. I don't know, call me a cheap bastard.

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'10 Gibson LP Studio Faded
'09 Fender American Standard Stratocaster
'08 Fender Classic Player 60s Stratocaster
'07 Fender Classic Player Baja Telecaster
'05 Breedlove AC 25 SR Plus

I agree on the Tshirts though Beck shirts were the cheapest I've seen in a long time....usually $45 and above for a tshirt!!

Funny you mention bad beer...I had a "Beck's" while at the concert. It must have been a holdover from a year or so since it tasted real bad and was "skunky" in smell! Had a few sips and tossed it. Tried to get my money back but they wouldn't. I won't do that again...

-T

I did not drink that night, but we always sit on the lawn at Wolftrap so we can bring our own beer in. That way I have the extra $$$ to spend on overpriced shirts instead of overpriced beer. The shirt is pretty cool - no regrets.

Sorry about your skunk beer, I hope the rest of the show was good to you.

I saw JB this past April in L.A. with Zappa Plays Zappa opening up. Amazing sets from both! It was my 15th time seeing JB and 10th seeing ZPZ.

Jeff played with an orchestra and it was jaw-dropping amazing. The set climaxed with a hair raising version of A Day In The Life. If you thought the version on At Ronnie Scott's was great, to hear it with the orchestra was breath taking. I loved their version of Sly and the Family Stone's I Wanna Take You Higher, Rhonda Smith is just incredible. Definitely among the best money I've ever spent on a concert ticket. I suggest everybody go.

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The mind is like a parachute; it doesn't work unless its open-FZ

Both Rhonda Smith and Tal Wilkenfield are amazingly talented bass chicks.

Definitely I approve Jeff's choice for a hot female bassist!