The first time I heard the new release from the Stratocaster master I knew exactly why it’s entitled "Who Else!" Over the years, Jeff Beck has developed a style that is recognizable by any guitar fan. From his ability to use a slide to play well past the neck, to slapping the tremolo bar to produce a "growling" sound from his axe, Jeff Beck is truly a guitar virtuoso. Once again, he proves without a doubt that he is an axe master, and whose album "Who Else!" is truly deserving of a 10 pick rating on The House of Shred!

Where does a guitarist develop such an innate ability to make the guitar work for him in such a way? It starts in a band called "The Yardbirds", runs through another band called "the Jeff Beck Group," and touches with literally hundreds of other pop stars such as Jon Bon Jovi to Rod Stewart. At the age of 55, Jeff is a guitarist of wisdom. Stevie Ray Vaughn once said something that I feel really sums up Jeff’s talent: "Jeff makes me sound like a 5 year old with broken fingers." While that statement is meant to be a bit humorous, it backs up what all serious guitarists have know for a long time: Jeff Beck is a force to be reckoned with.

This all instrumental album, has passages of techno, blues, pop, hard rock and mind bending progressive jazz that just oozes talent. The first song, and also first single off the CD is "Mama Said." The first time I heard this song, I was driving to pick up a coffee, and had to actually pull over so I could listen and give the CD the undivided attention it deserved. Well, 45 minutes later, I had listened to the whole thing, and missed the coffee shop.

One note that you should pay attention to is that Jeff Has recruited another underrated guitarist by the name of Jennifer Batten. You might know her as Michael Jackson’s guitarist. On this album, she lends her talent by playing a midi guitar. When I recently saw them in concert, there were times when I thought I would like to see her play solo, just so I could really hear if she was as good as she sounded backing up Jeff. Also appearing is Steve Alexander on drums and Randy Hope-Taylor on bass. As a guitarist for 20+ years myself, I kept thinking what a blast the band must have had playing on this CD. Jeff has given them all free reign to just plain go off on super talent tangents that at times gives you goosebumps. If you liked his previous "Guitar Shop" CD, then this is the sequel you’ve been waiting for. One small note that is quite impressive to any guitarists out there is that Jeff NEVER uses a pick!

This CD is as hard to sum up in one "catch phrase" line, as his playing has been through the years. Just buy it! Listen to it when you have a chance to just sit down and absorb the complexity of his playing. You won't be sorry you did so.

CUL8ER,
Thingfish

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