Search - Jeff Beck :: Rough & Ready

A Great Comeback For Jeff Beck

The Footpath Cowboy | Kingston, NY United States | 12/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"ROUGH AND READY announced the return of Jeff Beck after a near-fatal car accident, and who could've thought of a better way to do it? Mixing Memphis funk with heavy metal, he adds soulful vocals from Bob Tench, who is as unique in his own way as Rod Stewart was in his. This album is a must have for both R&B AND metal fans."

Jeff Goin Thru Changes

AustinTeddy | Austin, TX United States | 12/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album show Jeff's migration from Rock to Jazz Rock/Fusion. Max Middleton works so beautifully with Jeff. Too bad Jeff let him go after Wired. You can hear Jeff's influence by Jan Hammer in the song "New Ways/Train Train". Word is Jeff changed his direction when he heard Jan on John Ambercrombie's "Timeless" album, specifically the cut "Red and Orange". Give it a listen and have bandaids ready for your ears. Jeff Beck...there is no substitute!"

SIX STARS The excellence of this entire guitar masterwork is

Marc T. Venzara | Cardiff by the Sea (San Deigo | 06/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rough and Ready is indeed not only an "album" rather than a group of songs, but also a feeling, a feeling that starts with the very first song..... you'll likely soon realize it is the feeling you want .... a true music lover knows the unique quality of that feeling and how uplifting it can be.....I am here to suggest that this feeling is likely to be a constant while listening to this album, a soaring, epic expression of musical genius. This will be especially so once you get to know it as I do. Other than Sgt. Pepper, I don't know of any album that I listened to so frequently for so long - or with such relish! A teenager when I feel in love with Rough & Ready and the one of a kind intelligence of Jeff Beck as a guitarist ..... it has proven to well withstand the test of time - I may love it even more today! The eclectic chemistry of this band creates a sound that is essentially a compelling rock genre of it's own. I was between college and high school while I was quite addicted to listening to this album,at maximum volume, practically every day (for longer than I might care to admit) and on headphones if at all possible, but always LOUD.....because this album has punch, crunch, nuance and beauty that simply sounds better louder. Cozy Powell drove the tight rhythm section which Beck danced on and with - all like they had always been together. Though I agree that Bob Tench's singing doesn't quite electrify you (like Powell, Beck and Middleton do) but he was actually the perfect unexpected touch making this a blend of music that is, as I said, almost a genre of it's own.....one that is very easy to enjoy with most any other lover! It still sounds fresh and I SO wish my 25 year old son, who I am currently sharing much about music (and life) - since I've only known him since he was 18, had seen Beck's live San Diego show with me in 2007 when his playing and his band was so good that I often found myself just laughing because I simply had to emote and I was embarrassed to cry any more tears of joy in the presence my former pro musician bro' buddy who simply sat next to me - chin on chest. Afterward he said, "That's it. Music can't get better than that" It was a concert that had it all....as heavy as anything I've ever heard but as tasty and nuanced too, with a James Brown funk thing running through it all that just kept everybody happy. That's Jeff Beck today....and that is also Rough and Ready. Great lyrics for all but especially a young adult. The double-tracked guitar solo on "Situation" is so fat and meaty and has that most perfect rock tone that Beck "magically" gets with few effects....just listen as many times as you can....it really is better EVERY time. It's also the only way to know the ineffable - that which is truly not able to be said and understood simply because it is for listening, an experience which is too good for words!

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