Jeff Beck - Who Else!

If the album title seems self-assured, it's only truth in labeling. For his last album of the millennium, rock's greatest guitarist teams with an old compatriot (keyboardist Tony Hymas, a staple since 1980's There and Back who coproduces here with Beck) and one of his musical godchildren (Jennifer Battin, longtime tour guitarist for Michael Jackson). The result is a rough musical travelogue of the '80s and '90s that occasionally turns down a dead end. The synth-sequenced backdrops and terse phrasings of "Psycho-Sam," "Blast from the East," and "THX138" recall the fusion reactions on Wired and There and Back (and pose a seemingly heretical notion: did Beck invent techno?). "Space for the Papa" recalls the no-frills structure of Guitar Shop. "Angel (Footsteps)" showcases Beck's unique tone and phrasing, evoking Santo and Johnny swinging on a star, while "Another Place" offers up elegant classicism. "Hip-Notica" proves there's still funk in Beck's blood, even if "Declan" gets mired in New Age overkill. But Beck's shortcomings have traditionally come in framing his incendiary prowess and emotional directness. As a high-profile collaborator once put it, "You fast-forward through that stuff to get to the solos." In that department, Who Else! delivers. The live, unadorned "Brush with the Blues" lets him elevate masterfully subtle riffing into a firestorm of a solo. "Even Odds" (a reunion with Jan Hammer) and "Space" show what a mockery the musician can make of otherwise useful terms such as noise and tonality. If Who Else! occasionally stumbles, it's good to remember what a critic once said of the Marx Brothers: "They never made a film as good as they really were." Beck has made great albums, but few to match his genius as a musician. --Jerry McCulley Amazon.com

I love it

What can I say?...I really enjoyed this album. Beck is my all time favorite musician, and he rarely disappoints me. I'm sorry I waited this long to purchase it. January 20, 2008

Pretty good--my mamma said

Needed something to help me drive fast in the car and I replaced my old cassette of this with a cheap used cd. Gets you from zero to 85 in almost no time flat. It's always a thrill to hear a good Jeff Beck album December 16, 2007

Selectively one of his best - both rock and jazz/blues

If you can seperate this CD into the Rock section and Jazz/Blues section, you will enjoy the two worlds better. Jeff Beck hits all the power notes in THX 138 and Psycho Sam. True ROCK music just got hotter with his guitar playing at its best. But then, Jeff gets cooled off with his blues Brush With The Blues and Another Place. The melody talents show off his guitar playing again. I get into bliss when hearing his tunes in Another Place. Anyway, these seem different moods, so personally, I would seperate them into two CDs. Jeff has some gift - and he should keep on giving it. September 26, 2007

Slow down Jeff, you are going to hurt somebody!

You should buy this CD for one song. Buy it for the rock like you are going to die tomorrow "Psycho Sam" or possibly the purity of blues itself of "Brush With the Blues" or if you want to hear a guitar sing listen to ""Blast From the East". Looking for another mesmerizing Beck classic, then fast forward to "Angel (Footsteps)and take a marvelous musical journey and lose yourself in its simplistic beauty. Advertisers take note - someone has got to use "Hip-Notica" in a television ad for a background in a commercial. Do yourself a favor and just turn up the sound for "Even Odds"! Jan Hammer plays drums too? Get out of here! "Declan" is one the most beautiful songs Jeff has ever done. If I could only play one song on the guitar, let it be "Another Place". At a mere 1 minute 48 seconds, it is a magical piece of music that would surely please anyone from all walks of life. Overall - this is a must have recording from start to finish. If you are not familiar with the music of Jeff Beck, this is as good a place to start as any. And I can't go without saying "Thanks, Jeff for the bulldog picture". April 22, 2007

....of the Best Electric Guitar albums

of all times. Fantastic and tasteful diversity. Jeff Beck takes you on a ride from alternative rock, to blues, to jazz, to new age. And how he makes that strat sound like he is using a dozen effects with his unique style....can ramble on and on. October 30, 2005

More reviews at Amazon.com ...