Blow By Blow Jeff Beck-45RPM Vinyl Review
Jeff Beck Blow By Blow – August 2015
Vinyl surface noise: 5+ (not pops and clicks)
Dynamic Range: 4+
Stereo Imaging: 5
Image depth/perspective: 4
Overall frequency response: 4+
Side One
- You Know What I Mean
- She’s A Woman
- Constipated Duck
Side Two
- AIR Blower
- Scatterbrain
Side Three
- Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers
- Thelonious
Side four
- Freeway Jam
- Diamond Dust
This is Becks’ second solo album. It was originally recorded at Air Studios, London in October 1974 and released by Epic Records in March 1975. This instrumental jazz funk/rock album hit No 4 on the Billboard 200 and went platinum.
The album was remastered as a 45RPM on a 200gram double album from the original analog master tapes using an all analog signal chain from tape to cutting head and released by Epic and Analog Productions in August 2015.
It was mastered at Sterling Sound and pressed by Quality Record Pressings.
Performers:
- Jeff Beck – Guitar
- Max Middleton – Keyboards
- Phil Chen – Bass
- Richard Bailey – Drums & Percussion
The surface of this vinyl is so quiet that it could almost be mistaken for a CD, whether its the lead in, between tracks or during some of the many quieter passages. And there wasn’t one pop or click on all four sides of the album. Silence is truly golden. I am sure that this contributes to the albums wonderfully open and clean sound. These are not complex musical tracks more like a band of musicians jamming in a studio with Beck’s guitar solos and riffs standing out in many of the tracks.
Like many pop music studio recordings it posses little depth information save that created by the sparse addition of either electronic and/or room reverb. This was particularly apparent on the violins (whether real or keyboard synthesized) and on many of Beck’s solos. Which, when he played quietly, tended to make him feel as if he was behind the drummer and almost out of my room. The remaining keyboards, other guitar track dubs, bass line and violins etc. having a much more up front ‘in the room’ presence.
Throughout the album the kit stands out helping to drive the music along together with a strong clean electric bass line. Despite the kit sounding just a little ‘dry’, it is wonderfully open with detailed and resonant cymbals and hi-hat, punchy tom-toms that ring on just long enough and a snare that is hard hitting, bright and snappy. The kick drum displaying a solid beater sound as it strikes what must have been a well damped skin. Giving the kick a dry hard edge but with plenty of punch. The kit is rounded out by cow bells and what sounded like a handheld guiro or scrapper.
Overall detail is first rate throughout, bass is tight and clean, mid range punchy and dynamic without being hard while the HF detail is clean and bright without being too forward. With only two or three short tracks on each side of the double album, the vinyl modulation is pushed high but there were no tracking issues. On the other hand, the dynamic range while very good and seemingly uncompressed, was not hitting any extremes.
The tracks range from fast to slow with S1T1, S1T3 and S2T2 providing upbeat driving tempos with many of the remaining tracks having a slower more dreamy feel, some of which seem to just wash over you. Many of these slower tracks having great kit and bass line solos supported by Beck’s inimitable guitar licks, riffs, solos and lest not forget the vocoder on S1T2 and S3T2.
This is a wonderfully re-mastered recording with a terrific pressing quality, solid dynamics and plenty of presence. Providing many of the sonic qualities that I have become accustomed to with the direct cut Sheffield Lab series.
If jazz funk/rock is your kind of music this album certainly knocks the ball out of the park for its musical and sonic quality, hitting all the right notes. I cannot choose or recommend any one track over another, they all have something different to offer the listener. Adding it to your collection of vinyl is a must.
Available on CD and vinyl from Discogs.
