MUSIC: Don't second guess yourself
Posted By JOHN EMMS
Posted 3 hours ago


I think as we get older, we probably accept less bull and go with our first instincts.

Yes, you guessed it. You won't see me Twittering. For example, what are you doing at this moment? I'm wiping sleep out of my eyes. Talk to you soon! Get a life, PLEASE!

No question, I'm still open to new things but first instincts are usually right.

At least 70 per cent of the time when I see some touted new artist they pale. The hype is not justified. The "American Idol" contestants, the "Lady Gaga" tracks, All American Rejects, hell a "Mamma Mia" movie soundtrack with Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan singing Abba songs? C'mon. How much can one take?

I dig some new stuff. I like Coldplay, Kings of Leon, The Killers, etc. Case in point.

I had watched The Police in 1979 or 1980 and thought "wow, pretty darn good." Great interplay, great energy. Excellent for three guys on stage.

Recently I watched The Police on PBS in a concert special from their 2007-2008 world tour. They were just killer. Still three musicians making the most music they could with no tricks. Other than the big stage and gear because it was still just them.

Saw Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers back in 1981 or so. Was totally impressed. Saw Tom Petty and the band last year. My wife and I were blown away. They may have actually been better.

Look, it does not mean you enjoy everything some artist may put out. But it does mean your instincts are intact.

Listened to Meryl Streep (great actress) singing an Abba (solid pop band) song, thought "wow, this is bad." Yep I was right, it is. I always enjoyed Jeff Beck from the Yardbirds in the '60s -- till now. I always liked Gary Moore, even when he did his hard-rock stuff before his iconic blues albums. Still right. On with the reviews.

Jeff Beck-Performing this week live at Ronnie Scott's. Yes that's the title, and this is a "live" instrumental CD. Funk, fusion, rock, jazz, blues, etc., Beck covers it all. Every note from his guitar is filled with soul and inspiration. You would think I was talking about a vocalist. But that's the trick, Jeff Beck's guitar work is highly personal. On a commercial level, his two former bandmates, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, are more widely known simply because they worked in a setting with vocalists.

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When Beck and the band march out the fusion of Led Boots, the gorgeous and gentle Stevie Wonder penned "Cause We Ended As Lovers," his moving take on The Beatles' track "A Day In The Life," or the reggae workout on "Behind the Veil," it's done with such incredible passion. When I hear this I think, if you're not a musician putting 100 per cent into your performance, your'e cheating yourself and your audience.

Other standouts include "Angel," the snippet of "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" (yes the Charles Mingus number) the added "Brush With The Blues" and the opening of "Becks' Bolero." Look for the DVD of this show. It's mindblowing.

Gary Moore-Bad For You Baby. Moore's guitar tone is legendary. Powerful, sustained riffs and notes or mind blowing pinched blues notes to die for. I can't put my finger on it, but I think his songwriting or his choice of covers on some of his albums have come up short.

This album works on every single track. It's powerful blues rock. "Umbrella Man," the title track, the simply gorgeous "Trouble Ain't Far Beyond," the killer "Preacher Man Blues," and his scorching take on Muddy Water's "Someday Baby" are just some of the highlights. After 30 years, Moore is still hands down one of rock's and blues' most inspiring artists bar none. This disc is proof positive.

John Emms is a local musician, songwriter and performer.