by Brian D. Holland.

The new Jeff Beck concert video, Performing This Week ... Live At Ronnie Scott's (on DVD and Blu-ray), is more than just an audio and visual experience. To begin with, the quaint and atmospheric London night club that was founded by the renowned jazz saxophonist is just the right place for the event. A real Soho atmosphere, as Beck puts it. You've essentially got a nice seat to the show, featuring the amazing guitarist and his more than capable band: bassist Tal Wilkenfeld, keyboardist Jason Rebello, and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. And the camera work throughout the concert is exceptional. The zoomed-in views of his Stratocaster, as well as his picking technique and slide movement on the fretboard, are timely and focused. It's nice when the producers are aware of the importance of showing what a musician is actually doing with his instrument.

As his fingers pluck, bend, and slur the notes into signature tones and sounds, Beck makes it look easy as usual. And the manner in which he utilizes the whammy bar is artistry that's totally original, and reason enough that no one else in history has ever sounded like him. In this 21-song show, he and his band take the audience through magical excursions of melody and arrangement.

Instantly mesmerizing viewers and setting the atmosphere, the show opens with the smooth soaring notes of "Beck's Bolero." All eyes and ears are on him four songs in, when the signature notes and volume manipulation begins "Cause We've Ended As Lovers," and rightly so, as the melancholy and magical melody is soothingly pleasant. Eventually the bass solo begins: Tal Wilkenfeld, a young bass player who was first introduced to Beck by drummer Vinnie Caliauto, never ceases to astonish and satisfy everyone, including the bandleader. As even he states in the included interview, in similar words, one wouldn't ordinarily expect such a style and sound to originate from the fingers of someone so young, one who looks even younger than her 23 years. To possess such technique, one that evokes the styles of Jaco Pastorius and Stanley Clarke, usually takes years of nurturing, studying, and especially listening to the works of the former greats. Although she may have done this, and surely she must have, she's definitely a natural. The notes slide off her fingers like warm butter from a knife, and what you get is a sound that cooks with intricacy and bottom melody. When not in full groove, with rhythmic expressionism adorning her face, she's eyeing the guitar maestro, sweetly yet inquiringly. It's as if she's looking for his approval. And if that's the case, then it's an undertaking that doesn't fail. Beck returns the look, gesturing toward her with an outstretched arm, in recognition of the virtuosity she has just bestowed upon the crowd.

Watch Jeff Beck perform "Angel (Footsteps)" from the new DVD, Performing This Week ... Live At Ronnie Scott's.

It's pretty much the same with drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, who has played with just about everyone from Chick Corea to Frank Zappa, award winning keyboardist Jason Rebello as well. This amazing showmanship and camaraderie transpires throughout the concert, in "Behind The Veil," "Led Boots," "Scatterbrain," "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat," and even in Beck's brilliant adaptation of the Beatles' "A Day In The Life." Jimmy Page is spotted in the audience at the song's end, where he's seen looking toward the stage in joyous approval.

Although the Jeff Beck band is a sufficient enough presentation of its own, the special guest appearances add diversity and excitement to a show that's already abundant in both. Dynamic vocalist Joss Stone, comparable to Wilkenfeld because of her incredible talent at a young age, takes to the stage for a soulful rendition of "People Get Ready." Imogen Heap, the innovative British vocalist best known for her extremely creative use of a harmonizer, takes over the mic for her song "Blanket." Beck and group add brilliant bluesy and soulful backing to her passionate voice. Following an unanticipated visit from Eric Clapton, who adds guitar and vocals to "Little Brown Bird" and "You Need Love," Heap returns for a rendition of Muddy Waters' "Rollin' and Tumblin."

The included bonus interviews, one of which is a long chat with Beck inside the club, make for interesting additions to a superb concert DVD. But, more importantly, the music is excellent throughout. And it's nice to see technically precise musicians relax onstage, and appear as though they're enjoying the show as much as the fans. Having fun is what music is all about.

One final deliberation: Although the DVD more than appeases any desire to see and hear Jeff Beck onstage, it would have been nice to have seen Jimmy Page up there too, alongside Beck and Clapton, maybe for renditions of "Over, Under, Sideways, Down" or "Jeff's Blues." However, such a thought is like reaching for the sky, especially after viewing such a fine show. This performance is testimony to the fact that Jeff Beck is still the reigning king of instrumental guitar.

Performing This Week ... Live At Ronnie Scott's Track Listing

1. Beck's Bolero
2. Eternity's Breath
3. Stratus
4. Cause We've Ended As Lovers
5. Behind The Veil
6. You Never Know
7. Nadia
8. Blast From The East
9. Led Boots
10. Angel (Footsteps)
11. People Get Ready (featuring Joss Stone)
12. Scatterbrain
13. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat/Brush With The Blues
14. Space Boogie
15. Blanket (featuring Imogen Heap)
16. Big Block
17. A Day In The Life
18. Little Brown Bird (featuring Eric Clapton)
19. You Need Love (featuring Eric Clapton)
20. Rollin' And Tumblin' (featuring Imogen Heap)
21. Where Were You

Eagle Rock Entertainment

Links:
Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck Interview (1989)
DVD: Purchase Jeff Beck DVD on Amazon
Blu-ray: Purchase Jeff Beck Blu-ray on Amazon