Jeff Beck - There and Back

A Beck Jewel

This is an all-instrumental effort from the early-80's, a radically different, refreshing change from one of the world's most talented, under-rated guitarists. The concept is a Space Age sound, an interesting mix of rock and jazz, which he pulled off tremendously well. All of the songs are great, and they enabled him to display his talents to the hilt. I don't miss the singing at all. The instruments are very crisp, with lots of bass and drum. It's the kind of album that you pump up the volume and let it go while you're on the road.

If you buy this, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!! March 31, 2008

Hello and Goodbye

Producer Sir George Martin brought the best out of Jeff Beck in their 1975 and 1976 collaborations (Blow By Blow & Wired). And it was Beck's work with Tony Hymas and Simon Phillips on this June 1980 release that brings some of the more stylish work out of the oftentimes self-indulgent guitar legend.

Hymas (key) and Phillips (d) co-wrote four tracks (The Pump, Becko, Golden Road, Space Boogie), with The Pump one of the greatest rock instrumental pieces ever recorded. The technical aspects of Beck's work is extraordinary, with the band - including bassist Mo Foster - taking the track to brilliant heights. Beck and Hymas co-wrote the final song on the CD, Final Peace.

The trio of compositions by Jan Hammer (Star Cycle, Too Much to Love, You Never Know) are less satisfying, with his keyboards vying for space with Beck's guitar; not working as a cohesive unit. It is fusion colliding with arena rock and the results bring out a hefty dose of ego from both musicians.

This was Beck's only studio release between 1976-1985. It remains a shining star in an oftentimes frustrating and uneven solo career. March 8, 2008

An excellent album of Beck's

This 1980 Jeff Beck record, 'There And Back,' is simply amazing. Jeff's guitar is as fresh as ever, and songs like 'Star Cycle' are all timeless.

Beck got his career started with The Yardbirds, but by this time, he was moving towards the 1980s rock scene. It's got other essential tracks that were key for him, like 'The Pump,' 'El Becko,' and 'Space Boogie.'

The legendary Simon Phillips helps out behind the kit on this classic record, and he does an excellent job, too.

If you like great rock or great guitar, check out this record. It's probably Beck's best record. Highly recommended for all rock and roll fans. ENJOY!!! February 6, 2008

Great album, great collaborations

One thing you have to say, not only is Beck one of the truly great guitarists of all time, but the man knows how to pick talent to jam with.

Up until this album, jazz-fusion meant picking from the likes of Spyro Gyra, Weather Report, or Mahavishnu Orchestra, and the music was more jazz than fusion.

Beck, coming as he did from perhaps the most storied rock background at the time, crafted a blowout rocking fusion album with "There and Back" that raised the bar so high, I think it has yet to be equaled yet alone surpassed.

Teaming up with the likes of Tony Hymas, Simon Phillips, and the brilliant Jan Hammer (Miami Vice composer), each track displays a dynamic improv give-and-take between Beck and his teammates that allows each to shine, while never overshadowing the arrangements or eachother. Beck's famous ego seems contained, or at least balanced, in the context of his collaborative efforts, and the result is perhaps the most accessible instrumental album I've ever heard.

Standout cuts include "Star Cycle" (featuring Jan Hammer's signature synth stylings), "The Pump" (made famous by Tom Cruise's film "Risky Business"), and "Space Boogie" -- a track that totally smokes! Personal fave though is "El Becko". The piano intro by Tony Hymas with synth flamenco-flourish gives way to some of Beck's tastiest slide work ever.

That said, for any listener looking for a Top 10 sample collection of the Golden Age of Jazz Fusion should stop reading and add this to your shopping cart...NOW! December 14, 2007

good tunes, great drums, but the synth bass and synths tarnish it

To me this album would have been way better with a real bassist, and a reduction in the overly "modern" (for the times) 80's synthesizer sounds. Other than that, GREAT DRUMMING by Simon Phillips, and most of the tunes are decent catchy simple melodies over a slightly jazz/pop rock fusion sound. This album would be great if it just had a real bassist and less synths (or none at all). September 28, 2007

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