Jeff Beck – Rock'n'Roll Party
This tribute to the late Les Paul was filmed at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York's Times Square; the club where Les Paul played almost weekly for many years. Jeff Beck has been outspoken on the great talents of the guitar legend and innovator and it seems very appropriate that Beck gathered together some great musicians to honour him.
For those of you who are expecting some heavy, riff-laden extravaganza that is usually associated with Jeff Beck, stay away. This is a tribute to Les Paul and the music from his era and music that made him famous; blues, rockabilly, ballads, jazz and rock'n'roll are all referenced. There's a plethora of musicians that appear on stage during the show but the ever present Beck and the backing band led by Darrel Higham give a solid continuity to the set.
The mammoth twenty-seven song set kicks off with 'Baby Lets Play House' sung by Higham to a sound from a bygone era. The delivery is solid and Beck plucks away in an understated way; which all seems to fit together perfectly. Beck's appearance also stands out amid the slicked back hair and rock'n'roll attire of the rest of the musicians. The Gene Vincent song, 'Double Talkin' Baby' is next and hails the first of many guitar changes for Beck. Led again by Higham, they play 'Cruisin'' and the rockier Train Kept A Rollin'', the latter with Beck on his third guitar of the evening.
It was then the turn of rising star Imelda May to take the stage. Her opening song was 'Poor Boy', which she delivered with great finesse and charm to the bluesy slide guitar of Beck. 'Cry Me A River' follows which is just stunning. May's stint continues as she says it's time for Elvis to enter the building and they jump into 'My Baby Left Me' before the racing through some old standards before finishing her first shift with 'Tiger Rag'.
Trombone Shorty replaces May on stage and he brings with him a small brass section. They launch into catchy instrumental 'Peter Gunn'; the sax and Shorty's solos being very competent. Higham leads the vocals on 'Rocking Is Our Business' and the songs continue to come thick and fast. The musicians also come and go. After a while May returns to steal the limelight yet again. This is too short lived as the set has to squeeze in cameo appearances of Brian Setzer and Gary US Bonds; Setzer's highlight being the Eddie Cochrane 'Twenty Flight Rock'
Overall, the DVD is a fitting tribute to the great Les Paul, though with some overindulgence from one or two of the guests. Beck's playing is immaculate throughout and May shines as expected.