NAMM 2018

NAMM 2018 was even bigger than last year, yet much more manageable. The brand new ACC (Anaheim Convention Center) North building  housed most of the high tech and pro audio stuff, allowing guitars and related products to be centralized in one area on the main floor of the original building. NAMM further reduced the spread by offering the new boutique manufacturers—previously relegated to downstairs Hall E—smaller, more affordable booths in the main guitar product ghetto. Thus, I was able to cover the show in two relaxed, rather than three grueling, days.

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The new AAC North building

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Jeff Beck Live in Tokyo

Eagle Rock Entertainment has released Live In Tokyo by Jeff Beck on DVD, Blu-ray, and Digital Formats. The set includes Beck classics like “Stratus,” “Led Boots,” “Cause We Ended As Lovers,” “Big Block,” “A Day In The Life,” and “Rollin’ And Tumblin’,” along with an  amazing version of the Irish chestnut “Danny Boy.” It was gorgeously filmed at the Tokyo Dome City Hall in Japan in 2014, with excellent sound. This Japanese tour featured Beck’s latest backing band of Jonathan Joseph (drums), Nicolas Meier (guitars) and Rhonda Smith (bass). Like Jennifer Batten before him, Meier handles the synth parts on guitar synth, as well as rock rhythms. He also adds some new acoustic guitar textures. His compositon, “Yemin,” proves a beautiful vehicle for his boss. Meier performs all his parts on various multi-tasking Godin guitars.

At an age when most other artists are rehashing the hits, Beck continues to grow and reinvent himself, making this DVD a must have for any fan of the 70-year old perfect master.

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