Jeff Beck - Wired (1976/2016) [Official Digital Download 24-bit/96kHz]

Powerful jazz-rock fusion with a touch of funk, "Wired" is Beck's follow-up to the popular "Blow By Blow". Extending on the blues breakthroughs he made with the Yardbirds, Beck's style had by this time crystalized into something lyric and soaring, showing the influence of John McLaughlin and The Mahavishnu Orchestra, while retaining the slightly manic edge that has remained his trademark.

Recorded in 1976 with the legendary George Martin as producer (The Beatles), both reprise their magic from Beck's Blow By Blow with an awesome array of jazz-rock-funk fusion, which is often sited as one of this genres finest recordings.

Released in 1976, Jeff Beck's Wired contains some of the best jazz-rock fusion of the period. Wired is generally more muscular, albeit less-unique than its predecessor, Blow by Blow. Joining keyboardist Max Middleton, drummer Richard Bailey, and producer George Martin from the Blow by Blow sessions are drummer Narada Michael Walden, bassist Wilbur Bascomb, and keyboardist Jan Hammer. Beck contributed no original material to Wired, instead relying on the considerable talents of his supporting cast. Perhaps this explains why Wired is not as cohesive as Blow by Blow, seemingly more assembled from component parts. Walden's powerful drumming propels much of Wired, particularly Middleton's explosive opener, "Led Boots," where Beck erupts into a stunning solo of volcanic intensity. Walden also contributes four compositions, including the funk-infused "Come Dancing," which adds an unnamed horn section. While Walden's "Sophie" is overly long and marred by Hammer's arena rock clichés, his "Play With Me" is spirited and Hammer's soloing more melodic. Acoustic guitar and piano predominate the closing ballad, "Love Is Green"; Beck's electric solo gracefully massages the quiet timbres. Wired is well balanced by looser, riff-oriented material and Walden's more intricate compositions. Walden and Hammer give Wired a '70s-era jazz-rock flavor that is indicative of their work with the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Bascomb's throw-down, "Head for Backstage Pass," finds Bailey skillfully navigating the mixed meters while Beck counters with a dazzling, gritty solo. Hammer's "Blue Wind" features an infectious riff over which Beck and Hammer trade heated salvos. As good as "Blue Wind" is, it would have benefited from the Walden/Bascomb rhythm section and a horn arrangement by Martin. One of Wired's finest tracks is an arrangement of Charles Mingus' "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat." Beck's playing is particularly alluring: cleanly ringing tones, weeping bends, and sculpted feedback form a resonant palette. Bailey and Middleton lend supple support. Within a two-year span, the twin towers Blow by Blow and Wired set a standard for instrumental rock that even Beck has found difficult to match. On Wired, with first-rate material and collaborators on hand, one of rock's most compelling guitarists is in top form.

Tracklist:

01 - Led Boots
02 - Come Dancing
03 - Goodbye Pork Pie Hat
04 - Head for Backstage Pass
05 - Blue Wind
06 - Sophie
07 - Play with Me
08 - Love Is Green

Produced by George Martin, Chris Bond & Jan Hammer.
Engineered by Pete Henderson, Dennis McKay, John Mills, John Arias.
Mixed by Geoff Emerick. Digitally Remastered.

Musicians:
Jeff Beck - guitars
Max Middleton - Clavinet, Fender Rhodes
Jan Hammer - synthesizer, drums on "5"
Wilbur Bascomb - bass
Narada Michael Walden - drums on tracks "1,2,6,7", piano on "8"
Richard Bailey - drums on "3,4"
Ed Greene - second drum kit on "2"


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