Jeff Beck - Wired (1976)

Note: the CD I listened to was the 2001 reissue.

Like its predecessor, Blow By Blow, this album treats the listener to stellar rock instrumentals led by a legendary guitarist and produced by the legendary George Martin. And while the critics (see below) wanted to compare the two albums, but they're peas in a pod as far as I'm concerned so comparison is useless. Some writers put the "jazz fusion" tag on the album and it charted on some jazz charts, but it's still rock'n'roll to me. In addition to Beck's fretwork, I'm digging Max Middleton's stuff on the Fender Rhodes and Clavinette. 

Press of the time:

• Billboard: "another solid instrumental set"
• Stereo Review: "a guitarist of taste, thought, and delicacy."
• CashBox: "Hammer's synthesizer riffs make the perfect foil for Beck's guitar and master producer George Martin makes the whole package quite tasty."
• Record World: "Beck's guitar work flowing along as always but making its statements in a more forceful manner."
• Rolling Stone: "Beck's best yet"
• Robert Christgau (B-): "continuation of Blow by Blow's mindless trickery"

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #16
• CashBox: #12
• CashBox Jazz: #31
• Record World Jazz: #38

Tracks: The lead cut, Led Boots, has grown on me over time but is still my least favorite track on the album. Track 2, a funk-rock tune titled Come Dancing, was released as a single, but failed to chart and that's a shame. Of the remaining tunes, we get a sublime Mingus cover (Goodbye Pork Pie Hat) and three tunes written by drummer/songwriter/producer Narada Michael Walden. It's all good - not a skippable track in the bunch - and if you want to go ahead and spin Blow by Blow at the same listening session, by all means please do.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: Although this album is perfect for summertime listening, I've no memories associated with this particular album. However, there's more about my 1976 memories in this post over at our sister blog, My Favorite Decade

Previously revisited for the blog:
Jeff Beck With The Jan Hammer Group Live (1977)
Blow By Blow (1975)