Issue 519

Jeff Beck Rock 'n' Roll Party Honoring Les Paul ATCO Les Paul is credited with being the inventor of the electric guitar. When he died in 2009 aged 94, he still had a weekly residency at New York's Iridium Club, where this 20 track live set was recorded on what would have been his 95th birthday. But where does the guitar legend that is Jeff Beck fit into this you ask? Well in 1950, when Beck was 6 he heard Paul's signature tune on the radio, and it would appear that he was hooked, Paul becoming an inspiration to Beck. As such, in a show of respect and admiration to Paul, Beck put on this 'Salute' to him, which is also available as a DVD. Featuring a fair collection of Paul's songs as well as covers from Elvis, Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran, this is party time. The male lead vocals are handled brilliantly by Darrel Higham (husband of Imelda May) whose voice is perfectly suited to the 50's rockabilly sound. He opens the first three tracks and sets a mighty pace with Double Talkin' Baby, Cruisin' and The Train Kept A Rollin'. But even more outstanding is diva Imelda May, whose vocals understanding of the 50's sound are to die for. Introduced on the ballad Cry Me A River, she delivers the pathos in dams full with the brush snare of Stephen Rushton, the subtle bass of Al Gare and Beck's basic electric sitting below the anguish superbly. When she lets rip though on How High The Moon, you know that this is a lady that can sing without all the usual Carey like bullshit ahhs and oohs that seems compulsory amongst many of today's popular female singers. In addition, you can hear the enjoyment in her voice too, on the barn dance like Sitting On Top Of The World, Mockin' Bird Hill and the ridiculous but fun earworm forming Tiger Rag. Brian Setzer of the Stray Cats appears on the closer Twenty Flight Rock and his performance is perfunctory rather than admirable. There are of course some instrumentals, highlighting the influence that Paul had in the music industry. The Peter Gunn theme is note perfect and sees Blue Lou Marini (The Blues Brothers) let loose on his baritone sax in conjunction with fellow horns men Dave Priseman and Leo Green. Apache sees the reverb turned to 11 but I'm not sure if it works. New Orleans probably best sums up this party album, with the call and response between the audience combined with its chugging along riffs encapsulating all that is great about rock n roll music. In putting 'Rock 'n' Roll Party' together, Jeff Beck has indeed provided a reverential homage to Les Paul. Mark Liebelt