A big shout out to Jeff Beck. His Saturday night performance at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater was awesome. His band included Jason Robello on keyboards, Rhonda Smith on bass and drummer Narada Michael Walden. The opening act was no slouch, Taylor Brant a 20-year-old guitarist from Texas. This kid is the next Johnny Winter.
Playing for about an hour and a half, Beck covered some great songs, “Big Block, Corpus Christi Carol, Two Rivers, Over the Rainbow, and People get Ready.” He didn’t talk a lot, but did mention he has stayed away from Hendrix too long then broke out into “Little Wing.” Terrific to hear another great guitarist cover a Hendrix tune.
Beck wore a black suit jacket and matching pants, looked like some yellow markings along the seam. He got rid of the jacket and was bare armed. Apparently this is his trademark.
Beck honored us with his version of the Beatles, “A Day in the Life,” Muddy Waters (“Rollin’ and Tumblin”), and Les Paul (“How High the Moon”). The encore was Sly and the Family Stone’s “I Want to Take You Higher.” He brought the opening act, guitarist Taylor Bryant out for the final song and the two of them were in guitar heaven, blasting notes at each other.
The highlight for me was when Beck played the classic jazz/ rock Billy Cobham hit called “Stratus,” one of my favorite songs.
Jeff Beck…what a great show. I want to see him again!
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