Eric Clapton guests Jeff Beck at Ronnie Scott's London
(Updated 5 December 2007) Thursday 29 November 2007 Eric Clapton surprisingly joined Jeff Beck on stage to play two blues songs (Little Brown Bird and You Need Your Love) at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London, UK.
Photos of the show at: Redferns Music Picture Library
Report submitted by Patrick Mulder:
"I saw the Jeff Beck gig at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London on Thursday night (29 November 2007). In the audience were Brian May, Tony Iommi, Jon Bon Jovi and Jimmy Page.
I have seen Jeff Beck many times live and this show was one of the best ever: an incredible show and performance!!!! And when I thought it was impossible to get any better, Eric Clapton joined Jeff Beck for the first encore! He was introduced with the words "The master of the Stratocaster"!
They performed two obscure slow blues songs together. Unfortunately I don't know the titles of the songs they played. But it was reassuring that they did not play a predictable "Crossroads" or "Further on Up the Road", as they had done in 1981 at the secret Policemans ball show. Seeing the two of them playing together in such a small club is a real privilege and a dream coming true!
The only thing that could have bettered this was if Jimmy Page had decided to join in the fun, reuniting the three Yardbirds guitarists for the first time since 1983.
Jeff Beck played 6 shows at Ronnie Scott's and every night was filmed for a DVD release. Thursday night was also filmed, hopefully they will at least release some of the songs played tonight plus of course the encore with Eric Clapton."
This was the most memorable evening of all time.Jeff has always been at the top of the tree and boy o boy he just can't get any better surely? There were the likes of Brian May and Jimmy Page in the audience and all they could do was grin and clap! A fantastic night to remember and a brilliant venue.
This must have been fantastic beyond words. Waiting with baited breath for a more detailed report!
Photos???
Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck are two greatest guitarists in the world. Eric is the most diverse guitarist and Jeff is the most spellbinding guitarist. He's also an animal loving vegetarian.
EC and JB rule the guitar world as nonpareil virtuosos.
Sorry Larry, no photos allowed as you can imagine but there was some filming going on so keep an eye on any dvd releases!
From Jeff L,
Jeff isn't diverse? He's played rock,jazz,fusion,reaggae,blues,soul,country,pop,folk ballads, opera with Pavorotti, classical Mahler...rap. I'm in no way taking anything away from EC. By the way-Crossroads Chi was great!!The DVD is really good but covers only a small bit of the whole concert.
Jeff Beck is the poster child for diversified guitar playing. As J.L. stated he has done all of those genres and even more. Eric Clapton is pretty much a pure blues player, and for what he does, he is very good at it. Jeff Beck is far more extrapolative. I do know that they have great respect and admiration for one another. It is amazing that three of the world's most regarded rock guitar players all come from Surrey, England area - Clapton, Beck and Jimmy Page.
Surrey, England looks like the breeding ground for the best guitarists in the universe!! Ronnie Scott's seems like it was the place to be last week. Is there anything on youtube of this performace? It's got me wondering who may show up at the Led Zep concert on the 10th and possibly guest!
Check out Joe Bonamassa, whose playing is heavily influenced by these three British guitarists, especially Clapton. Bonamassa was invited to Crossroads in Chicago, but could not attend due to his commitment to his touring schedule.
www.bonamassabluesrock.com
I need to clarify my remarks. In a totally subjective manner I declare that Jeff Beck is indisputably the world's greatest living guitarist. He masters fusion, blues, hard rock, techno and otherworldly genres. Brian May and David Gilmour have consistented stated that Jeff is the paramount guitarist. Other quotes.
"When Jeff is on, he's probably the best there is."
Jimmy Page Guitar Player, July 1977.
"I think of Jeff as probably being the finest guitar player I've ever seen."
Eric Clapton Guitar Player, July 1985
Jeff is one of the greatest. No doubt. Of course, Jeff Beck says John McLaughlin is the greatest guitarist. Everything is subjective.