Jeff Beck: Rock ‘n' Roll Party Honoring Les Paul

Many would contend that of the three renowned guitarists who emerged from the '60s British rock group the Yardbirds, it's Jeff Beck, not Eric Clapton or Jimmy Page, who was and is the most technically adept and original. Beck's 2010 tribute to Les Paul was recorded at New York's Iridium Club, where pioneering guitarist Paul regularly held forth until his death in 2009. A majority of the 27 tunes here come from either the jazzy pop Paul produced in his commercial heyday (“How High the Moon,” “The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise”) or the rock and rockabilly made famous by Elvis Presley and others in the '50s (“Baby Let's Play House,” “Twenty Flight Rock,” “Rock Around the Clock”). Guests like Irish singer Imelda May (featured on over a dozen selections—occasionally harmonizing with her own prerecorded tracks, à la Mary Ford, Paul's partner), Brian Setzer, Trombone Shorty, and Gary “U.S.” Bonds are in fine form, but the material is fairly conservative by Beck's standards, as is his playing—at least until the last 10 or so songs, when he finally unleashes some fiery solos. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo on DVD and DTS-HD 5.1 on Blu-ray, extras include an interview with Beck, behind-the-scenes footage, a pair of featurettes on Beck and Paul, and two bonus performances. Recommended. (S. Graham)