Seeing Jeff Beck and ZZ Top Sunday....

I saw this show last night. Second time seeing ZZ Top, with the first time being 95 or 96. First time seeing Jeff Beck. Back in the 90's, ZZ played a good 90 minutes. This time it was barely over an hour, including the encore. My wife and I felt cheated.

While Billy Gibbons is an excellent guitarist, he can't hold a candle to Jeff Beck. This was especially apparent during the last numbers when Jeff jammed with ZZ Top. Jeff's solos were right on the mark and much more expressive than anything Gibbons did. To me, ZZ (especially Frank Beard) sounded tired and the songs were a little bit slower than normal while Beck's set was fast, tight and exciting. Jeff can also play anything. Jazz, rock, blues, he even played "Oh Danny Boy" and made it soulful. His version of "A Day In The Life" was a real highlight.

Unfortunately, the crowd was there to see ZZ Top, and Jeff played no encore. The weather was unbearable, it was 100+ degrees that afternoon, and the air was still hot and unmoving even after the sun went down. This led to a lot of people drinking more and more beer, and were ready for ZZ to take the stage and seemed impatient. People clapped and gave JB a standing ovation at the end of his set, but the crowd didn't demand an encore, and the lights came up quickly after the band left the stage. Just a bit disappointing.

Anyway, while I was watching JB play, and was totally amazed at what I was seeing and hearing, I thought "Anybody who claims that 'Clapton is God' has never seen Jeff Beck play".

 

Has Jeff Beck dumped Brian Wilson?

 

I'm wondering that too. I still don't get that tour.

When you see Jeff live you never forget it. He is amazing to hear and watch. I'd say he's the best there is by far. Effortless magic!

 

Yeah, I'd say that collaboration is finished.

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/jeff-beck-brian-wilson-not-right/

 

Glad you enjoyed Jeff. The last three times I saw him, had to travel from NOLA to Houston to see him do his magic. WELL WORTH IT. Many ask me who the best guitarist I've ever seen is - I don't even blink - yes....JEFF BECK. Yes, I've seen Clapton and Page, but Jeff is on a totally different level than they could ever be. I'm still hoping one day I can see him perform Love Is Blue live. Does an incredible job with this song.

Unfortunately, I'm missing this tour. Middle of the week in the Woodlands and with Jeff being in the opening slot, I have to pass. Besides, ZZ Top - notoriously short sets and their sound - no matter where you are sucks. Being muddy is one thing, but what they put out...disappointing. Yeah, I'll miss JB playing with ZZ for a few songs. Besides...seeing ZZ in Texas.......NO.

 

The rest of the tour with Beck is cancelled. Dusty Hill slipped and hurt his hip.

ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill slipped and fell on his hip while aboard his tour bus last night. As a result of Hill’s injury, which requires immediate attention, all ZZ Top performance dates have been temporarily suspended while he recovers. Tour dates affected by the suspension include all of the scheduled concert bills shared with Jeff Beck through Sept. 13.

 

I have tickets for next Thursday.

I wish a speedy recovery to Dusty

 

That's too bad. I was thinking of going to the show at Ravinia tomorrow but I couldn't get out of work.
At least it's "just" a hip problem, not a heart attack or something else life threatening.

 

Any link? Arnie

 

Yep:

http://www.ravinia.org/ShowDetails/index?id=834

 

Thanks. I just also found the info here too:

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/zz-top-cancel-jeff-beck-tour/

Arnie

 

They probably were just tired of Jeff Beck making them look like old lumps.

 

The Ravina has had a bit of back luck this year - first Bob Weir canceled on them, now this show.

 

Yes,and this doesn't seem to be one of those stories to cover slow sales or something, because at Ravinia at least , the pavilion was sold out.

 

I know, stupid thought.

I wish the tour went ahead with Jeff Beck and maybe add on some warm up act.

 

While Dusty may not have fractured his hip, he is a 65 year-old man...

 

I was surprised at how empty the Denver show was. Fiddlers Green Amphitheater is a very short walk from my office. On a lark, a friend and I met there after work and bought lawn tickets. I thought it was a great show!

 

From Beck's Facebook page:

SOME GOOD NEWS ! It has just been announced that Jeff WILL PLAY 3 casino dates this weekend as a 'Solo Headliner' with support from Tyler Bryant. So those of you Jeff Beck fans with tkts for Friday, Saturday or Sunday - hang on to them!

Friday - 29th Aug - Jeff Beck Band - Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel, SALAMANCA, NY, USA

Saturday 30th Aug - Jeff Beck Band - Ceasars- Circus Maximus, ATLANTIC CITY, NJ, USA

Sunday 31st Aug - Jeff Beck Band - Jeff Beck Double Billing with ZZ TOP – MGM Grand at Foxwoods Casino, MASHANTUCKET, CT, USA

 

Bump - the ZZ Top/Beck tour is hitting Corpus Christi on Sunday.

Since this thread hasn't been updated since Aug 2014, has anybody seen any of the more recent shows? How are they?