By: Philamonjaro Studio
Sunday, July 31st, Jeff Beck and Buddy Guy co-headlined at Ravinia for a full house. A perfect Chicago summer night set the mood for an audience of all ages.
Jeff Beck played a seventy five minute set mixing in cuts from his new release Loud Hailer and plenty of his live standards. His band was as tight as expected, not missing a beat. CarmenVandenberg played to role of guitar foil for the masterful Beck, while both Rosie Bones and the legendary Jimmy Hall shared vocal duties. The group was rounded out by Jonathan Joseph on drums and Rhonda Smith on the bass guitar.
"You can choose to watch or not, but if we all just talk from the safety of our sofas, there won't be much revolution to watch," she shouted, exemplifying the in-your-face power of Loud Hailer.
They bounced quickly from classics likes "Freeway Jam" to newer material, like the overdriven rock of "Live in the Dark".
But the show may have peaked with some of the covers, including a rivieting "Morning Dew", Jimmy Hall's soulful rendition of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come", and Beck's fireworks-laden take on Stevie Wonder's "Superstition"
Beck's familiar live-set-favorite take on The Beatles "A Day in the Life" could have been the most impressive demonstration what Beck delivers, an equal mixture of finesse and command of the instrument.
While the music commanded standing ovations, the fans' appreciation was felt beyond the back-and-forth energy from the stage. It was clear that many in the house have been lifelong devotees of Beck's work and his one-of-a-kind style.
His signature finger picking, note bending, and singular mastery of the Fender Stratacaster's tremolo bar is captivating to both hear and watch.
And what better way to celebrate Buddy Guy's 80th birthday (July 30th) than to have Beck come out and jam with the Chicago legend?
Given the influence that Buddy had not only on Beck, but a whole generation of British Invasion guitarists, the history of the electric guitar hung heavy within the collaboration.
As they traded guitar licks and laughs, Beck wove in a happy-birthday-to-you melody line that brought a twinkle to Buddy's eyes.
This Jeff Beck and Buddy guy tour has a dozen more dates ending in Seattle later this month.
Upcoming Ravinia events:
Sat, Aug 6 - Bryan Ferry
Thur, Aug 11 - WAR Lose Lonely Boys
Sun/Mon, Aug 14/15 - Don Henley
Fri, Aug19 - The Go Gos
Thur, Aug 24 - John Fogerty
Fri/Sat, Aug 25/26 - Train
Sun, Aug 28 - Seal
