Music Review: Jeff Beck, Loud Hailer

Jeff Beck.

At Rock's top table of guitarists sit the obvious recipients, Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, the Stones' Keith Richards, David Gilmour representing Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, and late greats like James Marshall Hendrix and Stevie Ray.

There's also another contender, the one they call the guitarists' guitarist. His name, Jeff Beck.

Forget his initial claim to fame as the Yardbirds' axeman following Clapton and Page's stints with this seminal band, Jeff Beck has embellished the music of a who's who of rock over the years.

Where he differs somewhat from most of his contemporaries is that Beck is essentially a guitarist, not really a vocalist.

His sublime guitar playing though makes him a name to be reckoned with as this new genre-bending album demonstrates.

Loud Hailer lays down a formidable challenge to ANY guitarist, be it the legends of the past, to the wannabes of today.

Without the worry of fronting up to the microphone Jeff Beck's focus is on his guitar playing. From subtle to outrageous, always with the most telling of melodies. In a word: brilliant.

The reason he doesn't have to worry about lyrics or singing them, is because that's the role his bandmate Rosie Bones occupies, and darn well too.

With help from Mr Fender and Mr Marshall, Jeff Beck makes every moment count, without overdoing it.

With Loud Hailer it's not about selecting specific tracks that stand out above the others.

Rather it's more about experiencing the chops of a guitarist whose ability is 50-something years in the making.

Loud Hailer once again puts Jeff Beck's name in lights, if in fact they were ever any other place.

Rating: 5/5 stars.