ZZ Top/ Jeff Beck – Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA 8/13/14 (SHOW REVIEW)

One of the most innovative guitarists associated with the original British Invasion in the 1960s, teamed up with an iconic southern blues rock trio, to perform together and separately at the Greek theater in Los Angeles, on Wednesday night, August 13th. The pairing of master guitarist Jeff Beck and Texas rockers ZZ Top  felt a bit like an inevitable moment, all be it a long anticipated one, for hardcore rock fans of blues roots music.

Jeff Beck’s masterful style was formed in much the same way as the best English guitarists of his era, from their deep fascination of black American blues music. In fact, Beck played in the Yardbirds in the 1960s, with two of the most successful English rock guitarists of all time, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. But an untimely car accident that nearly killed Beck1969, kept him from the spotlight for nearly three years. While Clapton and Page went on to become super rock stars, Beck took a different approach, becoming a master chameleon of reinvention and experimentation.

 The unique style of Beck has led many to regard him as an innovative genius, perhaps the most interesting rock guitarist of all time. When Syd Barret dropped out of Pink Floyd, the group wanted  Beck to replace him. When Brian Jones passed away, the Rolling Stones first choice for replacement was Beck as well. Perhaps only Jimi Hendrix is held in higher regard by the world’s top guitarists, than Jeff Beck. But where Hendrix innovation was cut short by his untimely death, Jeff Beck has continued to experiment with his newest  material, even venturing into the world of EDM music. While Beck has been the master of innovation for fifty years, ZZ Top has taken a very different track being the harbingers of a distinctive Southern rock style that has changed little in their forty-five year history. But there is probably no band that plays Texas Blues better than these veteran rockers.

The musical evening began early at the Greek theater Wednesday night, with a short set by twenty-one-year-old Texas guitar prodigy Tyler Bryant.  As a late summer sunset painted the sky in myriad colors above the amphitheater, the talented young newcomer performed valiantly.  But, unfortunately, with the amps turned low it was hard for him to connect with chatty crowd, more interested in hitting the bars. His set seemed to end early, which allowed Beck to take the stage early, just before 8pm, surprising much of the sold out crowd.

The seventy year old guitar wizard appeared, as always looking much younger than his chronological years. Together with a masterful band including, bassist Rhonda Smith, drummer Jonathan Joseph, and guitarist Nicolas Meier, the master guitarist took the audience on a musical journey spanning nearly five decades of recordings. The former lead singer and harmonica player for Wet Willie, Jimmy Hall, joined the band later for the most blues drenched songs of the set. Hall contributed to Beck’s 1985 album Flash. His throaty southern blues singing style merged well with the group on songs like “Morning Dew” from Beck’s 1968 album, Truth.

The rest of Beck’s set was a mix of originals such as his more recent “Why Give It Away” and his biggest hit song “Going Down,” along with some cleverly innovative covers. Beck made his guitar sound like a synthesized organ for the gospel-tinged Sam Cooke cover “A Change is Gonna Come,” and seemed to channel the spirit of Jimi Hendrix for a reverent rendition of “Little Wing.” The ninety minute set began with the amps turned down much like the opening set by Tyler Bryant. But the show finally began to sound like a real rock and roll concert by the second half, with the volume steadily increasing throughout the set.

 Following a lengthy set change, ZZ Top sauntered onstage amidst a multimedia extravaganza, synched to the music that created a dazzling effect in the blackened summer night sky. The trio seemed refreshed and ready to rock, despite a health scare involving bassist Dusty Hill that almost sidelined the tour before it even began last week. The power rock trio tore through ten of their most well known songs and two classic covers. The covers included the fitting Muddy Waters tune “Catfish Blues” and in keeping with the theme of the night, a Jimi Hendrix song,  the rock anthem “Foxy Lady”.

After a short break, the band returned for the most anticipated moments of the night, with a three song encore, supplemented by Beck. The band paid proper reverence to the guitar legend as he jammed on three of ZZ Tops’ classic hits. Then after another short break the band broke the 11PM venue curfew, offering up a classic jam on a timeless cover of “Sixteen Tons,” written by Merle Travis, in 1946 and made famous by Tennessee Ernie Ford, in 1955. The working class anthem about the plight of a coal miner, may have been written earlier, according to folk singer George S. Davis who claims to have written the song in the 1930’s. Regardless of the songs origin, there has never been a better live rendition than the monumental final jam of Jeff beck with ZZ Top on this magical night in Los Angeles.

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