Before diving into our review of Blow by Blow: The Jeff Beck Story
(Da Capo Publishing) by Brad Tolinski and Chris Gill (both best known from the pages of Guitar World), I must divulge that I am one of the most devoted Jeff Beck fans you will ever meet. I was fortunate to see him perform live fifteen times between 1989 and 2022, and met him twice and shook his hand both times (his hands were said to be insured for 10 million dollars USD). Not to be a conceited know-it-all, but I am one of the best people to shed light on this book for you, dear music fans.

Jeff Beck in 2009, photo credit Mario Bearegard (dreamstime)

The authors are extremely knowledgeable when it comes to Jeff and the art of guitar, since both worked for many years for magazines dealing with all things guitar, as well as collaborating on Eruption: Conversations with Eddie Van Halen (Hachette Books). The chronological order of Beck’s iconic career in the music industry has been covered before, but not to the depth of analysis and care, shedding light on why he chose certain paths and where his career was headed (or wasn’t) across his life. In addition to over 30 hours of extensive interviews with Jeff and both authors held in his lifetime, there are detailed explanations of what type of guitars and gear Jeff was using at any given time period. To guitar players everywhere who read about his setups over the years, it is valuable information if they are trying to emulate his unique guitar tone and styles. The research and footnotes, as well as interviews conducted with family members, friends, and peers, are thorough and accurate. From his rebel years in The Yardbirds, through his early attempts to forge a group with a top-notch lead singer, leading into his Jazz fusion experiments, then going full steam into many genres of instrumental music, including a three-album run of electronica-tinged songs, the gamut of his entire life in music is covered. In the eighties and nineties, there were periods of music when he did session work for many famous musicians of all ages and styles. I won’t name-drop because I do not want to spoil it for you as far as the who’s who that he collaborated with. I actually knew about most of the sessions, but it was nice that the authors were meticulous in naming just about everyone imaginable. Because of their fine research and writing, I was able to come up with about an hour’s worth of older session songs I had no idea existed. Like the equivalent of a new Jeff Beck album for me! My only critique with the authors in this regard was that I wish they had put reference pages in the back in chronological order of everything Jeff Beck had recorded, who he recorded with, names of songs, etc.

Beck and fellow legend Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) grew up together and had known each other since they were 12 years old. The book takes an interesting look at their decades-long relationship, as well as his other friendships with other famous musicians and celebrities. 

The book also uncovers some of his personal life, largely private during his lifetime: his vegetarian lifestyle since 1969, his love of comedy, and protecting the environment and wildlife from mankind’s systematic destruction of Mother Earth. Jeff was very intelligent and well-read. He had some very astute jabs at corporate BS, but also held those dear to him, such as his wife/widow Sandra, close. 

Another major part of Jeff’s life was his incredible knowledge and world-class craftsmanship in building hot rod vehicles. Not only was he one of the GOAT guitarists, but he was also one of the greatest mechanics/car builders out there. 

If you are a Jeff Beck fan, then this is a must-read book. If you are just getting into Beck’s music, I recommend reading it with breaks along the way, referencing the time period and the music he was making at that time. If you do, then you will hear throughout his career how his musical chops on guitar kept getting better and better as he aged. He pushed the boundaries every time he played guitar. His wizardry on electric guitar expanded like no other player as he aged. There are a lot of other famous guitarists interviewed for the book who hold similar conclusions. Beck was truly one of one as an artist, and second to none. Not just in guitar playing, but in every aspect of his truly amazing life. This book is a great and proper representation of this incredible Guitar God known as “The Guv’nor” of guitar. The two authors have created a long-lasting document of arguably the GOAT of guitarists. 

Buy the book here:
https://amzn.to/4czhvCf

10 / 10
JAMES CHRISTIANSEN
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