Rough & Ready - JEFF BECK***

Got The Feeling/Situation/Short Business/Max's Tune/I've Been Used/New Ways Train Train/Jody

Jeff Beck’s previous group fronted by Rod Stewart was disbanded, and a completely new set of musicians were recruited for Rough & Ready. This release heralded a move in a jazz and soul direction. (US:46)

“This version of the Beck Group has always gotten short shrift compared with first one, no doubt because of the former presence of Rod Stewart. But taken on its own terms, this line-up made some blistering music. The difference this time around was a move away from more blues based forms to a sound that made overt nods to funk and jazz influences.”

“A minor change in direction and not as good as his previous releases. There is not nearly enough rock or his patented fabulous guitar. The vocals are bad and there doesn't seem to be any cohesiveness to this music.”

“Here Jeff Beck decided to make an R & B/blue eyed soul album, with hints of jazz flavour. The result was great slow crawling ballads, and funky out of this world rockers. Although it's not a bad album by any means, it is very flawed. As to be expected when you have a guitar genius like Jeff Beck who seems to think that everyone is up to his skill level. Where it does work it works well, and where it doesn't its just bad, Got The Feeling and I’ve Been Used being the strongest tracks on the album. I've heard worse but I also expected a whole lot better.”

“This time around we have an emphasis on soul flavoured rock, with a hint of the fusion influences that would completely engulf Beck's later releases, and even a mild funk move, here and there. Though the band shares the same name with its earlier incarnation, the total change in personnel, coupled with their new direction, demands that this album not be compared to his two earlier releases.”

“This is a fine early 70s effort from the second incarnation of Jeff Beck and his merry sidemen, and has aged surprisingly well. One can sense Beck's slight turn toward the jazz leanings that would soon become his forte, although he is still hanging on to his rock/blues roots on this set. There is some interesting diversity, everything from the heavy riff rock of Train Train, the jazz-rock leanings on Situation and Got The Feeling, to the beautiful and ethereal Max's Tune. The album features fine drumming from Cozy Powell and outstanding playing overall from the musicians involved.”