In his early years, Beck was a studio session player, like Jimmy Page and Elton John, who gigged at Abbey Road Studios, or Glen Campbell and Leon Russell, who were part of the Wrecking Crew in America. Here are some of Beck’s best guest sessions.
Screaming Lord Sutch and the Savages – “Dracula’s Daughter”/”Come Back Baby”
The very first session Beck played on was Screaming Lord Sutch and the Savages’ single “Dracula’s Daughter,” backed with “Come Back Baby,” for Oriole Records. Before Arthur Brown and Alice Cooper staked claims to shock rock, there was Screaming Lord Sutch, 3rd Earl of Harrow. Of course, before him was Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, who originated the look and inspired the stage name. Dressing like Jack the Ripper, emerging on stage from a black coffin, Sutch released horror-themed pop tunes for the “Monster Mash” crowd. Lord Sutch and the Savages’ first recordings were done with Jimmy Page on guitar, and Ritchie Blackmore also lent finger work.
On “Dracula’s Daughter,” Beck’s guitar shrieks in the quick opening duet with the screams and other scary special effects before he settles into the sliding menace of his distorted accents. Beck’s solo on the hard rocking “Baby Come Back” is electrifying Mod melodics, reminiscent of the Kinks’ Dave Davies, but his crunching guitar response lines are well aimed stabs in the dark.
“Smile Suite” – Jeff Beck & Brian Wilson Live at The Paramount Theater Oakland 2013
Beck and Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson rode an interesting wave. A 2013 album collaboration announcement has not yet yielded sides, but Beck accompanied Wilson on an 18-date fall tour that year. While Beck had fun cruising around with the surf guitar leads of Beach Boys’ hits, he added majesty to the already majestic “Smile Suite.” The choral arrangement, and backing band are impeccable, and Beck’s lines are elegant. The entire production, art design, and even the curtains seem to suit him.
“Up to the Mountain”- Kelly Clarkson
Beck’s versatility is as surprising as where he might show up. In 2007, the British guitar god threw Kelly Clarkson a full loaf of street cred while donating his legacy to the “Idol Gives Back” episode of American Idol. Beck’s evocative pick work carves a path through the cover of Patty Griffin’s “Up to the Mountain” Clarkson can climb unobstructed while admiring the view. The duet is emotionally balanced, Clarkson is in great voice, and it is energized by Beck’s blues-infused gospel responses. Recorded live, the performance was immediately monetized.
Stanley Clarke- “Rock ‘n Roll Jelly”
While “Hello Jeff” off Stanley Clarke’s 1975 Journey to Love album might seem the go-to piece for the two frequent collaborators, name dropping the guest guitarist in the title, “Rock and Roll Jelly” is the more fun listen. Clarke is a brilliant electric and acoustic jazz fusion bassist, best known for teaming with Chick Corea in Return To Forever. On Modern Man’s “Rock ‘n Roll Jelly,” he and drummer Jeff Porcaro teasingly lean in to Beck’s sonic territory with a deceptively steady heavy rock bottom. “Jamaican Boy” from Clarke’s 1979 album I Wanna Play For You, is also an unexpected treasure, hearing Clarke and Beck explore reggae on a record with George Duke, Stan Getz, and Freddie Hubbard.
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