Saw Beck last night at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham UK. I've only been a convert for the last 2 years (since his Ronnie Scott's DVD in fact).

Have to say he was extraordinary. Playing like a man from another planet. He covered just about every style - Jazz Rock, Funk, Country, Hard Blues, Pop and some stuff you'd struggle to categorise. Several tracks from the new album of course and a raid on his back catalogue. Surprisingly, he didn't play "Because We Ended As Lovers" but he did cover an Irish tune by Davey Spillane, that was absolutely haunting - the most perfect bit of guitar playing I've ever heard.

He worked 2 white strats hard all night, but then his Tech bought out a brown and Cream Les Paul. He used it to play a Tribute to LP - a version of "How High The Moon" played on top of what sounded like the original Mary Ford vocal tapes. Crazy.. He finished with a brain melting Nessan Dorma after announcing it as "a tune you'd have to be nuts to attempt.."

Big Kudos to his band, especially keyboardist Jason Robello, who did a wonderful job of re-creating the new album's lush orchestral arrangements AND Jan Hammer's crazy synth leads.

Still the same old Beck.. Just when you think he's going to hit the BIG note, he violins it in off the volume. The big bend? via the trem arm or behind the nut pressure.. All night he's constantly modifying his tone - never stops tweeking the volume and tone controls and seems to have the trem welded to his hand.

I've seen most of the greats "blah, blah, blah", but Beck was astonishing. I don't know if he is the greatest electric guitar player in the world, but he gave my tired old ears a thrill and that hasn't happened in a long time..

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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!

You're very lucky!

I didn't make it to the gigs Beck did last year here in Melbourne, and I regretted mising out. Hearing him play live would be amazing, I'm sure.

I first heard his Wired album when I was fifteen, and was just awestruck by it. He really is one of the all-time greats.

Saw him two weeks ago. He was just amazing. Live, he makes his own recordings sound small... it seems like he's improving everyday - he was better than he was on Ronnie Scott... and you probably saw him playing better than he was two weeks ago when I went to his concert...

You have professionals and you have the chosen one...

Saw him at the beginning of June...Wonderful Concert!
He just tore the place apart.

-T

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-T

"You can't spend what you ain't got, you can't lose what you ain't never had" ~ McKinley Morganfield

I saw Mr. Beck this past April here in L.A. with an orchestra. Mind blowing! Every time I see him I tell myself he can't top it then the next time I see him he does! His band was red hot too, but I was hoping to see the lineup that was on the Ronnie Scott dvd with Tal and Vinnie.

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

Beck is like someone from another planet and another time,his playing is so out there and unbelieveably great.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Glad you enjoyed the show! I've seen Geoffrey Arnold Beck many times through the years from the Yardbirds, Rod Stewart and Bob Tench eras to BBA and others and he's never dissapointed!

Most recently with his current band and formerly with Tal, Vinnie and Jason, who was on keys for both last two tours.

His book, Crazy Fingers, is a good read too. It tells about his admiration for Cliff Gallup's playing amoung others and has some great photos!

You can do a search on the Lounge Forums, Strats and CS/Mike Eldred's forums and find lots of good info!

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

hi adey

saw him in Brighton the night before you did - that piping hot bass player was quite a treat, no?

He amazed me in every song, a truly remarkable artist. I whish him all the best!



-Nutter

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I started out with nothing, and still have most of it.

This is a good assessment of Sir Jeff.

He's been the most unique player out there for some time now.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.