Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Blow by Blow typifies Jeff Beck's wonderfully unpredictable career. Released in 1975, Beck's fifth effort as a leader and first instrumental album was a marked departure from its more rock-based predecessors. Only composer/keyboardist Max Middleton returned from Beck's previous lineups. To Beck's credit, Blow by Blow features a tremendous supporting cast. Middleton's tasteful use of the Fender Rhodes, clavinet, and analog synthesizers leaves a soulful imprint. Drummer Richard Bailey is in equal measure supportive and propulsive as he deftly combines elements of jazz and funk with contemporary mixed meters. Much of the album's success is also attributable to the excellent material, which includes Middleton's two originals and two collaborations with Beck, a clever arrangement of Lennon and McCartney's "She's a Woman," and two originals by Stevie Wonder. George Martin's ingenious production and string arrangements rival his greatest work. Beck's versatile soloing and diverse tones are clearly the album's focus, and he proves to be an adept rhythm player. Blow by Blow is balanced by open-ended jamming and crisp ensemble interaction as it sidesteps the bombast that sank much of the jazz-rock fusion of the period. One of the album's unique qualities is the sense of fun that permeates the performances. On the opening "You Know What I Mean," Beck's stinging, blues-based soloing is full of imaginative shapes and daring leaps. On "Air Blower," elaborate layers of rhythm, duel lead, and solo guitars find their place in the mix. Propelled by the galvanic rhythm section, Beck slashes his way into "Scatterbrain," where a dizzying keyboard and guitar line leads to more energetic soloing from Beck and Middleton. In Stevie Wonder's ballad "Cause We've Ended as Lovers," Beck variously coaxes and unleashes sighs and screams from his guitar in an aching dedication to Roy Buchanan. Middleton's aptly titled "Freeway Jam" best exemplifies the album's loose and fun-loving qualities, with Beck again riding high atop the rhythm section's wave. As with "Scatterbrain," Martin's impeccable string arrangements enhance the subtle harmonic shades of the closing "Diamond Dust." Blow by Blow signaled a new creative peak for Beck, and it proved to be a difficult act to follow. It is a testament to the power of effective collaboration and, given the circumstances, Beck clearly rose to the occasion. In addition to being a personal milestone, Blow by Blow ranks as one of the premiere recordings in the canon of instrumental rock music.
© Mark Kirschenmann /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From $10.83/month
Jeff Beck, Associated Performer, Guitar, Main Artist - J. Beck, Composer, Lyricist - George Martin, Orchestrator, Producer - M. Middleton, Composer, Lyricist - Denim Bridges, Engineer - Richard Bailey, Drums, Percussion - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - Max Middleton, Keyboards - PHIL CHEN, Bass
(P) 1975 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Jeff Beck, Associated Performer, Guitar, Main Artist - J. LENNON, Composer, Lyricist - Paul McCartney, Composer, Lyricist - George Martin, Orchestrator, Producer - Richard Bailey, Drums, Percussion - Max Middleton, Keyboards - PHIL CHEN, Bass - Denim Bridges, Engineer - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer
(P) 1975 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Jeff Beck, Associated Performer, Guitar, Main Artist - J. Beck, Composer, Lyricist - George Martin, Orchestrator, Producer - Denim Bridges, Engineer - Richard Bailey, Drums, Percussion - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - Max Middleton, Keyboards - PHIL CHEN, Bass
(P) 1975 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Jeff Beck, Associated Performer, Guitar, Main Artist - J. Beck, Composer, Lyricist - George Martin, Orchestrator, Producer - M. Middleton, Composer, Lyricist - Denim Bridges, Engineer - Richard Bailey, Drums, Percussion - R. Bailey, Composer, Lyricist - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - P. Chenn, Composer, Lyricist - Max Middleton, Keyboards - PHIL CHEN, Bass
(P) 1975 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Jeff Beck, Associated Performer, Guitar, Main Artist - J. Beck, Composer, Lyricist - George Martin, Orchestrator, Producer - M. Middleton, Composer, Lyricist - Denim Bridges, Engineer - Richard Bailey, Drums, Percussion - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - Max Middleton, Keyboards - PHIL CHEN, Bass
(P) 1975 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Jeff Beck, Associated Performer, Guitar, Main Artist - Stevie Wonder, Composer, Lyricist - George Martin, Producer - Richard Bailey, Drums, Percussion - Max Middleton, Keyboards - PHIL CHEN, Bass
(P) 1975 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Jeff Beck, Associated Performer, Guitar, Main Artist - Stevie Wonder, Composer, Lyricist - George Martin, Orchestrator, Producer - Denim Bridges, Engineer - Richard Bailey, Drums, Percussion - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - Max Middleton, Keyboards - PHIL CHEN, Bass
(P) 1975 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Jeff Beck, Associated Performer, Guitar, Main Artist - M. Middleton, Composer, Lyricist - George Martin, Orchestrator, Producer - Denim Bridges, Engineer - Richard Bailey, Drums, Percussion - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - Max Middleton, Keyboards - PHIL CHEN, Bass
(P) 1975 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Jeff Beck, Associated Performer, Guitar, Main Artist - B.Holland, Composer, Lyricist - George Martin, Orchestrator, Producer - Denim Bridges, Engineer - Richard Bailey, Drums, Percussion - Vic Anesini, Mastering Engineer - Max Middleton, Keyboards - PHIL CHEN, Bass
(P) 1975 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Album review
Blow by Blow typifies Jeff Beck's wonderfully unpredictable career. Released in 1975, Beck's fifth effort as a leader and first instrumental album was a marked departure from its more rock-based predecessors. Only composer/keyboardist Max Middleton returned from Beck's previous lineups. To Beck's credit, Blow by Blow features a tremendous supporting cast. Middleton's tasteful use of the Fender Rhodes, clavinet, and analog synthesizers leaves a soulful imprint. Drummer Richard Bailey is in equal measure supportive and propulsive as he deftly combines elements of jazz and funk with contemporary mixed meters. Much of the album's success is also attributable to the excellent material, which includes Middleton's two originals and two collaborations with Beck, a clever arrangement of Lennon and McCartney's "She's a Woman," and two originals by Stevie Wonder. George Martin's ingenious production and string arrangements rival his greatest work. Beck's versatile soloing and diverse tones are clearly the album's focus, and he proves to be an adept rhythm player. Blow by Blow is balanced by open-ended jamming and crisp ensemble interaction as it sidesteps the bombast that sank much of the jazz-rock fusion of the period. One of the album's unique qualities is the sense of fun that permeates the performances. On the opening "You Know What I Mean," Beck's stinging, blues-based soloing is full of imaginative shapes and daring leaps. On "Air Blower," elaborate layers of rhythm, duel lead, and solo guitars find their place in the mix. Propelled by the galvanic rhythm section, Beck slashes his way into "Scatterbrain," where a dizzying keyboard and guitar line leads to more energetic soloing from Beck and Middleton. In Stevie Wonder's ballad "Cause We've Ended as Lovers," Beck variously coaxes and unleashes sighs and screams from his guitar in an aching dedication to Roy Buchanan. Middleton's aptly titled "Freeway Jam" best exemplifies the album's loose and fun-loving qualities, with Beck again riding high atop the rhythm section's wave. As with "Scatterbrain," Martin's impeccable string arrangements enhance the subtle harmonic shades of the closing "Diamond Dust." Blow by Blow signaled a new creative peak for Beck, and it proved to be a difficult act to follow. It is a testament to the power of effective collaboration and, given the circumstances, Beck clearly rose to the occasion. In addition to being a personal milestone, Blow by Blow ranks as one of the premiere recordings in the canon of instrumental rock music.
© Mark Kirschenmann /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 9 track(s)
- Total length: 00:44:28
- Main artists: Jeff Beck
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Epic
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
(P) 1975 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz?
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalog with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets, and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.
Playlists