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Jeff Beck : Rock ‘n’ Roll Party- Honoring Les Paul

Atco

Although credited to Jeff Beck, this tribute to late guitarist and innovator Les Paul finds the world’s greatest guitarist sharing the spotlight with the Imelda May Band, Trombone Shorty, Gary U.S. Bonds and Brian Setzer. The musicians rip through the tunes with the same gusto that Beck showed on 1993’s rockabilly album Crazy Legs —even returning “Train Kept a Rollin’” to its pre-Yardbirds roots. It not only illuminates how the legendary figure influenced Beck’s precise playing, but also results in a star-making turn for vocalist May. Sold separately, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Party DVD was filmed at New York’s Iridium Jazz Club—where Paul played a weekly gig—on what would have been the guitarist’s 95th birthday. The show took place in front of a celeb-filled crowd and features equal amounts of flash and focus. While the directing and editing capture the upbeat spirit of the night, it regrettably omits a separate discussion of the night’s honoree.