This DVD was filmed last year at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City, and represents a killer show in memory of Les Paul. Jeff Beck provides the most brilliant star power of the night, but the ranks are filled out by legends like Gary U.S. Bonds, Imelda May, and Trombone Shorty. What results is an eclectic set of performances that never fails to impress. There is nary a moment to breathe during this concert, as a full twenty-seven tracks will hit viewers before the show is up. While many of the songs here fall into a rockabilly style, viewers will be amazed at the different approaches, genres, and distinct musical styles that come forth owing both to Les Paul’s own wide influences as well as by the performances of those who were influenced by Paul eirself.
The filming style of the concert blends the best in concert films with live footage; a narrative is weaved throughout even as the different cameras are present to capture all the guitar solos, bass lines, and intense drum work that is present here. The only thing that could even be seen as a minor inconvenience is that the audio recording feels much tuned into the instruments rather than the vocals. While this does not typically create a problem during performances, a little bit of the banter between performers and the crowd becomes washed out.
For fans of other formats, Eagle Rock Entertainment has also created Blu-Ray and CD copies of the performance. While this was a performance based on showing off Les Paul’s inimitable skill and sound, fans of Jeff Beck will be able to salivate over a number of intense solos and tremendous interlacing between the panoply of different elements presented here. For fans of good rock music, Jeff Beck Rock’n’roll Party will be something that will rarely leave a DVD, Blu-Ray, or CD player.
Rating: 7.8/10
Jeff Beck Rock’n’roll Party: Honoring Les Paul (DVD) / 2011 Eagle Rock Entertainment / 164 Minutes / http://www.eaglerockent.com