It speaks well of an artist, I think, when you like three of his best songs for completely different reasons. With The Yardbirds, Jeff Beck co-wrote one of the band's catchiest songs, "Over Under Sideways Down." In addition to the tune's clap-along, sing-along chorus, the lyrics show an endearing naivete of youth. It also segues well with "19th Nervous Breakdown" by The Rolling Stones.
One of the strongest Jeff Beck Group songs, in my opinion, is "Situation." That's a slice of appealingly energetic rock with a bluesy tinge in the vocals and every instrument. It also shows how much of a difference a strong rhythm section makes. Album rock stations should give it its due.
And, saving the best for last, there's a reason Beck is such a respected guitarist. This is on full display in Stanley Clarke's "Hello Jeff." Having acclaimed jazz-rock bassist Clarke and master guitar shredder Beck on the same track produces some powerful sparks. An early '90s memory: I was getting ready to go home from college for a weekend. The friend driving me home saw that I was taking a few LPs I'd bought home. A Clarke LP was on top of the stack, prompting him to ask, "Why are you bringin' back 'Journey To Love?'" I replied, "Because it's Stanley Clarke, and I want to add the album to my home collection." In retrospect, I could also have said, "First and foremost, because of 'Hello Jeff,' which you might have heard on my answering machine.'"
Although I haven't heard every Jeff Beck track ever recorded, I know enough of his work to understand why so many guitarists have been in mourning since his passing Tuesday.
