Jeff Beck's chops are still seriously intact yet, rather than do the over-blanched Bonamassa thing, he recruited husky-voiced Rosie Bones and guitarist Carmen Vandenberg to help compose.
The resulting 11 tracks are mostly politically charged rockers in which Beck sits in the pocket, serving the song until it's time to spit out stinging barbs, which he does with an enigmatic tone.
For a 72-year-old who is always near the top of any guitarist best-of lists, Loud Hailer contains some of the finest Beck riffs yet.
• Jeff Beck. Loud Hailer. Rhino Entertainment.
• Four stars (out of five)
Single download: Live in the Dark
For those who like: Roy Buchanan, Prince, John McLaughlin
- Mark Orton
