Review Summary: An essential piece of hard rock and heavy metal history.
“Jeff Beck is my idol... sometimes he finds notes that I just do not have on my guitar.”
- Ritchie Blackmore
Jeff Beck has been described as adventurous, eclectic, imaginative, and innovative, among other things, and for good reason. The Wallington-born guitarist is one of those exceptional performers who appeal to both casual listeners and seasoned guitarists. From his first years with The Yardbirds to his solo work, he consistently broke down barriers with his technically complex and soulful music.
After leaving The Yardbirds, he made his solo debut with
Truth, which is nothing short of a triumph given the timing of its release (a year after
Are You Experienced and
Disraeli Gears and a year before
Led Zeppelin I). It is one of those albums that is regarded as revolutionary in the development of heavy metal. The first track on the album, a heavier version of "Shapes of Things," which Beck first recorded with The Yardbirds, makes it clear that "Truth" is an entirely different animal. The album, primarily made up of covers, strikes that perfect moment when blues music was transitioning into hard rock and heavy metal. Jeff Beck's talent is almost on full display, as he skillfully combines a variety of musical genres via his singular vision, from the blues to classical and medieval music. His performance is thrilling and unpredictable, and he is joined by the equally iconic singer Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood on bass (who would later join The Rolling Stones), and a drummer who had been a member of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers; an all-star band by today's standards
Last but not least, it is essential to judge
Truth as a product of its time, because it could sound somewhat dated today. However, when it was released, it was groundbreaking and helped lay the groundwork for the model that Led Zeppelin developed and perfected. Because of this, Jeff Beck's debut album is a crucial release that is noteworthy for its music and its historical significance.
