Purchased at BMV in Toronto, $4.99
JEFF BECK – Blow By Blow (1975 Sony)
Jeff Beck’s first solo album, Blow By Blow, was co-produced by George Martin. The talents of both need no elaboration. A guitar god and “the” producer’s producer were bound to make something special together. With an ace quartet (Max Middleton on keyboards, Phil Chen on bass and drummer Richard Bailey), there were no weak links.
Blow By Blow spans many musical genres, all augmented with Jeff’s sharp and slippery fingerwork. Funk, jazz, blues, Carribean and progressive rock all collide in the grooves. The songs are instrumental hybrids of styles, but Jeff keeps it consistent. His guitar speaks. There really isn’t a better way to describe what he does with tone, technique and technology. There is even an uncredited Stevie Wonder cameo on “Thelonius”. If you can’t get enough funky clavinet, you’ll love Blow By Blow.
This albums is tops in almost every conceivable measure. The drum rhythms and bass grooves are hard hitting and relentless. Musicianship like this is rare and valuable. Without Jeff Beck there could be no Steve Vai — this, I firmly believe.
Play Blow By Blow, and then play it again. Thanks to George Martin’s fine musical sensibilities, it reveals new nuances each time. A complete triumph.
5/5 stars
This has been a 200 word review in the tradition of the #200wordchallenge.
mikeladano.com 
This album & Wired were required listening for me & my friends at the start of high school, and neither has aged a day (even though we have). Glad you agree about the perfection of Blow By Blow. How about a 5+/5?
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Sure why not? That goes back to a discussion from last week, the Rating System. A very fluid rating is often best, so let’s go 6/5 stars.
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Woohoo, this one is easy to love!
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It sure is, in fact it’s going in the car tomorrow.
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Never heard this one, but I’m a big fan of Wired.
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Which I need. I think you need both!
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Can one ever really get enough of funky clavinet?!
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One listen to Stevie Wonder reveals NO! I love that stuff. For the longest time I had no idea what that sound was.
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I ended up in possession of a ‘casio digital guitar’ a few years ago – it has a funky clavi setting, it’s somehow not quite the same!
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Oh that’s cool. We had a setting like that on an old Yamaha digital keyboard…with MIDI!
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Righto, that’s both you and Mr Hubner covering Jeff Beck in recent weeks (J also mentioned this one when he covered Wired). I missed these (and some others) when getting to know Jeff Beck’s work, so reckon I’ll need to go check those two out…
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Agreed sir! Mr. Hubner praised Beck to me as well, and now I want Wired.
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Damn him! *raises fists*
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I gave this album a 10/10 on my George Martin tribute.
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I agree with your post that this is a great album.
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Ah cool! I forgot about that! GOOD CALL.
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Hooray for another Taranna score! I have this one on LP. LOVE IT. You nailed it, man.
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