Jeff Beck

Jazz-rock fusion music has had no greater exponent than Jeff Beck, whose latest album,
Wired, demonstrates how vital this genre can be. Even more important, Wired presents
Beck in a context that finally satisfies both his uncompromising musical standards and
commercial necessity. Beck's first group, the Yardbirds, was the most inventive of the
early Sixties British blues bands and is now credited with producing three of the... More >

This continuation of Blow by Blow's mindless trickery--bye-bye George Martin and Stevie Wonder (guess which one is missed), hiya Charles Mingus (an adequate "Pork Pie Hat")--is supposed to make Jeff a "jazz" musician. In fact it certifies Jan Hammer and Narada Michael Walden as "rock" musicians (retain quotes please). Best: "Come Dancing," a jumpy little Walden novelty that would make a nice B side for the Meters. (Grade: B-)