Truth
	Artist: Jeff Beck

Some people consider Jeff Beck Group's Truth to be the first Heavy Metal album. I wouldn't go that far, but I do love the heavy blues and sleazy grooves that the super-group laid down. The band consisted of Beck, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood on the bass, and Mickey Waller on the drums. Check it.

Jeff Beck fans at the intimate El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles got a surprise treat last neat toward the end of the show. Beck was joined by onetime Jeff Beck Group singer Rod Stewart for performances of Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready" and Willie Dixon's "I Ain't Superstitious".

Beck was joined afterward for his last two songs by Joss Stone. A friend in attendance said that was great too, but underwhelming. It's not easy to follow a legend, especially on a small stage.

Stewart and Beck's last work together was a version of this song for Beck's 1985 album Flash.

One of the most surreal days of my life was a train ride I took from Tokyo to Osaka with Jeff Beck in the seat behind me, Carlos Santana in the seat in front of me, and Chrissie Hynde in the seat across the aisle from me. Although Jeff Beck is a hero, I was completely starstuck by Chrissie Hynde to the point where I could hardly look her way. Anyway, here's a classic from the Pretenders. Who's your favorite rocker chick?

I just happened across this very raw, live version of Sunshine Of Your Love by Cream and thought I'd share it with the class. I love the camera work, cool set, dueling stacks, Clapton's SG, and Baker's walkabout during the lead break.

Speaking of Eric Clapton, he was forced to bow out of this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concert due to gallstone surgery. No worries, he's doing fine and Jeff Beck will be taking his place.

C&L's Late Night Music Club with Stevie Ray Vaughan

The first and only time I saw Stevie play live was back in '90, when he was touring with Jeff Beck. I specifically went to see Beck because I had been a fan of his since the '70's. That night Jeff opened with his power trio (which included Bozzio and Hyams) and it was incredible. I was spent emotionally after finally seeing the man who gave us "Blow by Blow."

After an intermission-out came Stevie Ray Vaughn. I looked at my friend and we both agreed to just stay for a few songs so we could beat the traffic out in Oakland. Well, after one tune of his screaming guitar that almost knocked me, my friend and Stevie's wall of speakers down; I was a fan for life.

"Little Wing" appeared on his Greatest Hits record.

(please keep all comments about music on this thread or they may be deleted.)

C&L's Late Night Music Club with Tommy Bolin and Billy Cobham
I couldn't wait to buy Billy Cobham’s record called "Spectrum," when it was released back in '73. Billy was the dynamic drummer from the "Mahavishnu Orchestra," at the time and he had much love in the Rock community. The sample for tonight is the song called "Stratus."
Download | play -MP3 (sample)

If I'm not mistaken, Jeff Beck cited this album as his main influence for "Blow by Blow." I’d never heard of Tommy Bolin before this record and I had always wondered why Cobham chose him. Read Tommy’s website for the history behind this alliance. It's fascinating and this guitar solo ranks with some of the best ever recorded. Sklar's bass line ain't bad either and was "sampled by Massive Attack for "Safe" from their hit 1991 album Blue Lines."

Check out this lineup:

Billy Cobham: drums, percussion
Tommy Bolin: guitar
Jan Hammer: piano, synthesizer
Lee Sklar: bass
Ron Carter: acoustic bass
Jimmy Owens: flugelhorn
Joe Farrell: flute, saxophones
Ray Barretto: congas
John Tropea: guitar (on "Le Lis")

I played a couple of gigs with Glenn Hughes (the former singer /bass player of Deep Purple) and Ronnie Montrose, a few years ago and it was at the "NAMM" show in Anaheim that I met Tommy's brother. He shared with me some of his favorite memories of his late brother and I told him how much Tommy influenced my playing even though I'm a sax player. I'm a rocker at heart. I hope you enjoy.

Here's the link again to purchase this great record...