Jeff Beck, Blow by Blow

Records in 1975, Jeff Beck’s came out well after he had established himself as one of rock’s premier guitarists. He had already made significant innovative contributions to music, using feedback in the Yardbirds, creating the fantastic guitar sounds heard on his 1968 album (with newbie Rod Stewart) and launching his successful power-trio, was when it all came together for him. On it, he fine-tuned and fully realized his voice, making this one of the great guitar-instrumental records of all time. The album has Max Middleton on keyboards, bassist Phil Chen and drummer Richard Bailey, and while it features no vocals, Beck’s guitar ably stands in, as he uses it to emote throaty screams, humorous asides, angry punches and yearning cries. This gem was overseen by Beatles producer George Martin and proved commercially successful, placing number four on the charts. Not bad for an instrumental fusion-guitar record.