JOE BECK - Nature Boy - Lp on Verve - John Berberian Middle Eastern Rock 1969
$
23
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Description
Vinyl is in Excellent condition. Cover is in Very good condition (promo sticker on front - some fraying to spine and edges and spotting on back cover)
NOTES:Out of all the great psychedelic guitar albums from the 1960s, Nature Boy by Joe Beck just might be that decade's best-kept secret. Much of this has to do with the fact that he's usually thought of as a jazz instrumentalist, which might scare off some people who focus on rock to the exclusion of all other varieties of music. Moreover, the similarity of his name to that of Jeff Beck, who was also establishing himself as a solo artist around the same time, probably didn't help matters when the album was released in 1969.
I first became aware of Joe Beck as a result of his participation on John Berberian's landmark Middle Eastern Rock LP from the same year. Anyone familiar with that album will readily attest to his extraordinary guitar playing throughout the proceedings and especially on "The Oud and the Fuzz." My curiosity in Beck was greatly piqued by his contributions, and after reading about his then-forthcoming debut record in the liner notes of Middle Eastern Rock, I knew it was something that I had to add to my collection. Prior to the release of Nature Boy, he had already earned a favorable reputation in jazz circles by playing with luminaries such as Chico Hamilton, Gary McFarland, and Charles Lloyd. Most notably, Beck was the first electric guitarist to play with the legendary Miles Davis, as heard on the groundbreaking fusion of "Circle in the Round" and "Water on the Pond," both recorded in 1967. Established as a musician's musician, Verve-Forecast was eager to see what he could do on his own.
Beck negotiated a $100,000 advance from the label, but squandered it all on partying during the month that the album was supposed to have been completed. Necessity being the mother of invention, he forged ahead almost single-handedly, recording nearly all the of vocal, guitar, bass, and piano parts on his own. (It should be noted that Beck's singing is actually quite capable, due in part to the multi-tracking utilized throughout the LP). Drummer Donald McDonald, who also played with Tim Hardin, was the only other full-time musician on the album, although trumpeter Randy Brecker, bassist Don Payne, and (surprise!) guitarist Danny Whitten from Crazy Horse make appearances as well. As one might expect, Nature Boy mixes a number of disparate ingredients, but does an excellent job of blending them all together. Overall, the sound of this album can best be described as psychedelic rock played with a jazz sensibility. Beck's serpentine leads are a thing of wonder, with his rapid-fire approach to soloing being an utterly distinctive trademark. McDonald's percussion work gives up just enough funk to keep things danceable, but also displays a nimbleness unique to jazz drummers.
SHIPPING:
USA: Media Mail Rates: $3.99 for 1st Lp and $1.25 for each additional Lp (additional discounts may apply when you buy over 7 or 8 lps) (Priority available upon request)
7" Records: $3.25 for 1st 7" and 75 cents for each additional 7"
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INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING RATES: $17.00 for 1st Lp and $6.00 for each additional. - 7" records: $9.00 for 1st 7" and $2.50 for each additional
RECORD GRADING: 1) Sealed/New 2) Near-Mint 3) Excellent 4) Very Good Plus 5) Very Good ( I do not sell records below the Very Good Grade)
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