CONCERT ALERT! JEFF BECK COMING TO LA! TWO SHOWS AT EL RAY THEATRE (5515 WILSHIRE BLVD) APRIL 21 & 22. CALL FOR TICKETS @ 323-936-1247

Jeff Beck
Performing This Week…Live At Ronnie Scotts
Eagle Records
By George Harris

Mike Stern Band
New Morning: The Paris Concert DVD
Heads Up
By George W. Harris

My friend Kevin has this theory that all modern guitarists (Metheny, Frisell, Dimeola, Stern, Beck, etc.) are like the proverbial blind men touching an elephant. They’re all feeing the same animal, just from a different perspective. Here on these two discs are two like minded six stringers caught in concert, and you’ve got to ask yourself, “So what is the difference between these two cats?” Well, in a nutshell, it’s the difference between backing up Rod Stewart or Miles Davis; no matter how hard Jeff Beck swings, he’s still a rocker, and no matter how hard Mike Stern rocks, he’s still a swinger. This respective disc and dvd make the point joyfully plain.

Jeff Beck is supported by a group of jazz minded guys (Jason Rebello/k, Tal Wilkenfeld/b, and Shorter/Hancock alum Vinnie Caolaiuta/dr) that plays it rough and ready the whole week they’re at Ronnie Scott’s Club in London. He opens with a clarion “Beck’s Bolero” and holds on tight the whole disc. Only one or two songs here were on his last “official” live disc in 76, so there’s minimal repetition. Beck takes his strings and bends ‘em, snaps ‘em , plucks ‘em, scraps ‘em and strums ‘em until they beg for relief. The band can play it light, as on “Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers”, or can get meaty, on the highly cholesterolic “Stratus.” Best of all is the passionate reading of “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat/Brush With The Blues” and the emotive reading of The Beatles’ “A Day In The Life,” which has been a concert favorite for awhile. All that’s missing on this disc is the buzz from the Marshall amps!

Stern, meanwhile, is with his regular working band (Bob Franceschini/ts, Dave Weckl/dr, Tom Kennedy/b) for a set that promotes his last cooking disc, “Who Let The Cats Out?”. With his infectious grin, Stern stretches out on tunes like the raucous “Tumble Home” and the bluesy “Wishing Well” while Weckl and Kennedy play ping pong with the rhythm. Stern is in his element here, and his joyful playing is like a wave that carries over the enthused audience. He is able to bring the crowd to a hush on the intimate and delicate “What Might Have Been,” but the emphasis here is on fiery interplay, and Stern’s band delivers. Closing with a rocking “Chromazone” Stern sums up his work ethic with the quip, “I don’t want to stop!” You won’t want him to, either. He’s coming to LA this summer (Aug 19-23) with the Yellowjackets at Catalina’s Jazz Club 6725 Sunset Blvd. Call for reservations (323-466-2210) and don’t miss it!