Album Information:
Album ID: 10131
About The Jeff Beck Group:
The Jeff Beck Group was a rock band formed in London, England in 1967. The group's leader and namesake, Jeff Beck, is widely considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time. The band's original lineup consisted of Beck on guitar, Rod Stewart on vocals, Ronnie Wood on bass, Mick Waller on drums, and Nicky Hopkins on keyboards. The Jeff Beck Group was known for their bluesy, hard-rock sound and dynamic live performances.
The band's debut album, 'Truth,' was released in 1968 and became a critical and commercial success. The album featured hits like 'Shapes of Things' and 'Beck's Bolero,' and solidified the band's reputation as rock heavyweights. Despite the success, tensions quickly arose within the band, and by the time their second album, 'Beck-Ola,' was released in 1969, Stewart and Wood had left the group to form The Faces.
Beck continued on with a revolving lineup that included various musicians like bassist Tim Bogert and drummer Carmine Appice. This lineup released the albums 'Rough and Ready' in 1971 and 'Jeff Beck Group' in 1972. Both albums featured a shift towards a more hard-rock sound with elements of funk and jazz. The band's final album, 'Blow by Blow,' was released in 1975 and marked a departure from their previous work, as it consisted entirely of instrumental jazz fusion.
After the release of 'Blow by Blow,' Beck went on to a successful solo career, but the legacy of The Jeff Beck Group loomed large in the world of rock music. Their influence could be heard in the work of countless artists, from Led Zeppelin to Guns N' Roses. In 2009, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, cementing their place in rock history. Despite their relatively short lifespan, The Jeff Beck Group stands as one of the most innovative and influential bands of their era.
About the album Beck-Ola:
Beck-Ola is the second album by The Jeff Beck Group, released in 1969. The album showcases the virtuosity of Jeff Beck on guitar, as well as the powerful vocals of Rod Stewart and the tight rhythm section of Ronnie Wood on bass and Mick Waller on drums.
The album opens with the instrumental track 'All Shook Up', which features a blistering guitar solo from Beck. It then moves into 'Spanish Boots', a bluesy number with Stewart's vocals driving the song forward. 'Girl From Mill Valley' follows, with a heavier, more rock-oriented sound and Beck once again providing some impressive guitar work.
One of the standout tracks on the album is 'Plynth (Water Down the Drain)', a hard-hitting rock song with a catchy chorus and an extended guitar solo from Beck. The band also covers Elvis Presley's 'Jailhouse Rock' with an energetic, bluesy arrangement.
'Beck's Bolero' is another instrumental track, featuring Beck's signature guitar sound and a dramatic, almost orchestral arrangement. The album closes with 'Rice Pudding', a fast-paced, heavy guitar riff-driven song with Wood's bass and Waller's drums driving the rhythm.
Overall, Beck-Ola showcases the incredible talent of Jeff Beck and his bandmates, combining elements of blues, rock, and even classical music into a cohesive and exciting album. It remains a classic of 1960s rock and a must-listen for fans of guitar-driven music.
Members:
The Jeff Beck Group was a British rock band that became popular in the late 1960s. Here are the key members of the band along with their biographies:
1. Jeff Beck - Jeff Beck is a British guitarist who was the leader and namesake of The Jeff Beck Group. He was born in 1944 in Wallington, Surrey, England. Beck began playing guitar at a young age and eventually became one of the most influential guitarists of all time. He has collaborated with many famous musicians and has won multiple Grammy Awards.
2. Rod Stewart - Rod Stewart was the lead vocalist of The Jeff Beck Group. He was born in 1945 in Highgate, London, England. Stewart began his music career in the mid-1960s and became famous as the frontman of The Jeff Beck Group and later as a solo artist. He has sold over 120 million records worldwide and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
3. Ronnie Wood - Ronnie Wood was the bassist for The Jeff Beck Group. He was born in 1947 in Hillingdon, London, England. Wood began his music career in the mid-1960s and played in several bands before joining The Jeff Beck Group. He later became a member of The Rolling Stones and has released several solo albums.
4. Aynsley Dunbar - Aynsley Dunbar was the drummer for The Jeff Beck Group. He was born in 1946 in Liverpool, England. Dunbar began his music career in the mid-1960s and played with several bands before joining The Jeff Beck Group. He later played with several famous musicians, including Frank Zappa, Lou Reed, and Journey.
5. Nicky Hopkins - Nicky Hopkins was a keyboardist who played on The Jeff Beck Group's first album. He was born in 1944 in Harlesden, London, England. Hopkins was a session musician who played with many famous musicians, including The Rolling Stones, The Who, and The Kinks. He died in 1994 at the age of 50.
These musicians helped to create the distinctive sound of The Jeff Beck Group and left a lasting impact on the music industry as a whole.
Track List for Beck-Ola:
1. 'All Shook Up' (4:51) - This track is a cover of the classic Elvis Presley hit. The Jeff Beck Group puts their own spin on the track, adding some heavy guitar riffs and a faster tempo.
2. 'Spanish Boots' (3:36) - This track is a funk-inspired instrumental with a catchy bassline. Jeff Beck's guitar work is particularly impressive on this track.
3. 'Girl From Mill Valley' (3:45) - This is a bluesy instrumental with a slow, steady rhythm. The guitar work is understated but effective.
4. 'Jailhouse Rock' (3:21) - Another Elvis Presley cover, this track features some impressive drumming and guitar work.
5. 'Plynth (Water Down The Drain)' (3:07) - This track features catchy, upbeat guitar riffs and a groovy bassline. The vocals are raw and energetic.
6. 'The Hangman's Knee' (4:49) - This track is a slow, bluesy instrumental that showcases Jeff Beck's exceptional guitar skills.
7. 'Rice Pudding' (7:22) - The longest track on the album, 'Rice Pudding' is a hard-rocking instrumental with some truly impressive guitar solos.
Overall, Beck-Ola is a strong album by The Jeff Beck Group with a mix of covers and original instrumentals. The standout tracks are 'Spanish Boots' and 'Rice Pudding,' which feature some of Jeff Beck's most impressive guitar work.
Discography for The Jeff Beck Group:
Sure! Here is the complete discography for The Jeff Beck Group in chronological order:
Albums:
1. Truth - August 1968
2. Beck-Ola - June 1969
3. Rough and Ready - October 1971
4. Jeff Beck Group - July 1972
5. Beck Bogert Appice - March 1973
6. Blow by Blow - March 1975
7. Wired - May 1976
8. Jeff Beck with the Jan Hammer Group Live - July 1977
9. There and Back - June 1980
10. Flash - January 1985
11. Jeff Beck's Guitar Shop with Terry Bozzio and Tony Hymas – October 1989
12. Frankie's House – May 1992
13. Crazy Legs – June 1993
14. Who Else! - March 1999
15. You Had It Coming - February 2001
16. Jeff - April 2003
17. Emotion & Commotion - April 2010
18. Loud Hailer - July 2016
19. Jeff Beck Live at the Hollywood Bowl - October 2017
20. Jeff Beck Live at the Tokyo Dome – December 2019
Singles:
1. 'Hi Ho Silver Lining' / 'Beck's Bolero' - March 1967
2. 'Tallyman' / 'Rock My Plimsoul' - September 1967
3. 'Love Is Blue (L'amour Est Bleu)' / 'I've Been Drinking' - January 1968
4. 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother' / 'I Can't Give Back the Love I Feel for You' - October 1969
5. 'Got the Feeling' / 'Situation' - March 1970
6. 'Jealous Lover' / 'Lucky' - June 1981
7. 'People Get Ready' / 'Escape' (with Rod Stewart) - March 1985
Other Releases (live albums, compilations, and collaborations):
1. Beckology - May 1991 (compilation)
2. Live! - January 2019 (live)
3. Truth and Beck-Ola - April 2017 (2-CD reissue)
4. Beck, Bogert & Appice Live in Japan - July 2021 (live reissue)
5. Jeff Beck & Eric Clapton: Play The Blues - August 1999 (compilation)
6. The Best of Beck - October 1995 (compilation)
7. Jeff Beck's Rock 'n' Roll Party Honoring Les Paul - February 2011 (live)
8. A Day in the Life: Impressions of Pepper - September 2018 (collaboration)
9. Friday Music Presents Jeff Beck – October 2021 (compilation)
Note: This list covers the major releases by The Jeff Beck Group and does not include singles on which the band members appeared as session musicians or other minor releases.