Jeff Beck has always been the most fickle of the guitar gods of yore. While Jimmy Page became an icon of hard rock and mostly stuck to white blues, Beck, after his brief tenure with the (1965-1966) from one genre to another. According to many, Beck has always been the undisputed virtuoso in that list of influential guitarists. But Loud Hailer is another album that makes you wonder what the point
… is. Beck will collaborate with the two young musicians Carmen Vandenberg (guitar) and Rosie Bones (vocals). If it hadn't been for 'Jeff Beck' on the cover, it would hardly have been noticed as a CD by a school girl rock band. With excellent guitar work, though. Backed by Vandenberg, the master lets his Stratocaster tear and sing as usual. But with that he doesn't upgrade more than a collection of obligatory soul and rock songs. Especially Bones, with her affected and mannered use of voice and clichéd lyrics, sometimes makes the toes curl. Beck does not seem to care about this amateurism. When the CD is in our player, this seventy-something is probably under a car himself. After all, working on cars is his greatest passion. (MR)more
