Joe Beck was a famous jazz musician who passed away of lung cancer back in 2008. His latest album Get Me Joe Beck is a compilation of songs that were recorded from a performance he gave in Berkeley, California two years before his death. Recorded in September of 2006, Beck put together a performance of classic jazz that is easy to listen to and has a steady rhythm for all to enjoy.
Beck, an accomplished musician since the 60’s, played his guitar beautifully, accompanied by the familiar and soft harmonizing tones that jazz lovers recognize anywhere. The second song on the album, “Manha de Carnaval,” has a soft, steady beat that gradually picks up a soothing jazz rhythm.
The third track isn’t a song, but instead is Beck speaking about how he plays his guitar in order to give listeners an idea of where he is going in his music and hint about the next chord. It is followed by “Georgia On My Mind,” which starts off with the soft tone of the guitar before slowly taking on other aspects of instrumentation in the music, such as the bass and the drums.
It’s clear that this recording is a tribute to the legacy of Beck’s accomplishments in the world of Jazz music and as fans listen to the album, they might feel as though Beck is alive through each chord he strikes with his guitar. Plus, as the album was recorded live, there are tracks where Beck speaks out loud, whether praising the rest of the band or speaking to the audience.
The ease in which the songs are brought to life is seamless and the songs are enjoyable to listen to during a relaxing day at home. All in all, this is a beautiful album from a dearly missed musician.