Jeff Beck: Performing This Week... Live at Ronnie Scott's Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Jeff Beck: Performing This Week... Live at Ronnie Scott's Blu-ray Movie Review

In November of 2007, legendary guitarist Jeff Beck took on the stage of London’s Ronnie Scott’s, a notorious jazz club with a rich history. Unfortunately, given the size of the venue, only a few were lucky enough to see him and his band - Vinnie Colaiuta (drums), Jason Rebello (keyboards) and Tal Wilkenfeld (bass) - perform.

This Blu-ray disc offers twenty one songs that were played by Beck and his band throughout the course of the concert. They cover a variety of genres including rock, jazz, blues, fusion, and even rockabilly. To the delight of the audience, during a few of the songs, Beck was also joined by Joss Stone, Imogen Heap as well as his former Yardbird’s bandmate Eric Clapton

What truly impresses in this show is the musical versatility Beck and his band showcase. They easily skip through a number of different genres that have been a key part of their music throughout the years (interestingly enough, even though Beck has been performing with Vinnie Colaiuta and Jason Robello for only a few years now, they very much sound as if they have been together for a very, very long time). Unsurprisingly, from the moody Pink Floyd-esque Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers (with a fantastic solo by Tal Wilkenfeld) to the to the funky Led Boots, to the classic People Get Ready with Joss Stone , to the terrific new arrangement of Blnaket with Imogen Heap, to the outstanding Little Brown Bird and You Need Love with Eric Clapton, this concert offers a little bit of everything for everyone.

Technically, Jeff Beck: Live at Ronnie Scott’s is also a terrifically put together project. As revealed by Beck in the long interview offered on this Blu-ray disc, plenty of adjustments had to be done so that a number of acoustic limitations which Ronnie Scott’s presented, mostly due to the size of the venue, are dealt with adequately. Fortunately enough, the final product is simply fantastic.

The concert was also recorded with a number of strategically positioned HD cameras that allow us to not only follow the musicians on the stage but see the reactions of the thrilled audience as well. For example, Beck’s long solos during the first half of the concert are recorded as if he is simply practicing alone, somewhere where no one could see him. On other hand, when his guests begin appearing on the stage during the second half of the concert, the camera spends much more time following the musicians from afar, thus making it very easy for us to see how they interact with each other.

Even Eric Clapton joins the party

Jeff Beck: Performing This Week... Live at Ronnie Scott's Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080i "live" transfer, Jeff Beck: Live at Ronnie Scott's arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment.

Recorded and mixed by Alan Branch, mastered by Dick Beetham at 360 Mastering, London and approved by Jeff Beck himself, the Blu-ray transfer looks good. Indeed, it is fairly easy to tell that this is a recent recording as contrast, clarity and detail are notably consistent. Furthermore, motion-judder is not an issue of concern either, though due to the manner in which the concert was recorded, it is definitely noticeable. This being said, the actual concert is recorded in a manner allowing the viewer to see the stage as well as the audience from a number of different angles. The producers have also done a very good job capturing its rather intimate atmosphere – the subdued lighting, the overhead shots of the audience listening to Jeff Beck's solos, even the occasional cheers, are all well blended together. Finally, the Blu-ray transfer does not reveal any image deteriorations that I could spot. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc which you will be able to play on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).

Jeff Beck: Performing This Week... Live at Ronnie Scott's Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are three audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and LPCM 2.0. As stated earlier, Jeff Beck: Live at Ronnie Scott's was personally approved by Jeff Beck and as far as the audio teratment is concerned it certainly shows. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is incredibly potent and at times I certainly felt as if I was listening to a studio recording, not a live concert. For example, Jeff Beck's guitar solos are notably crisp and rich (even when he steps back and lets other members of the band shine it is very easy to hear his guitar). The bass – there are some absolutely terrific solos in this concert, particularly during the first half – sounds excellent as well. It is full-bodied and quite well balanced with the rest of the instruments. The drums also sound nice and I personally did not hear any balance issues to report here. The LPCM 2.0 track is less impressive. Unlike other live concerts that we have reviewed in the past, balance is absolutely not an issue of concern for the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track and we recommend that you opt for it when playing this Blu-ray disc.

Jeff Beck: Performing This Week... Live at Ronnie Scott's Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

First of all, Eagle Rock Entertainment's Blu-ray disc arrives with a nice booklet containing a very informative essay, courtesy of Joe Newey from Jazzwise magazine, where he highlights some of the challenges Jeff Beck and his band faced when they began preparing for their performance at Ronnie Scott's. He also notes some key accomplishments from the famous guitarist's past. On the actual disc you will find a very long and very informative interview with Jeff Beck where he covers a number of different topics – from past accomplishments to rather recent events, including the concert at Ronnie Scott's. There is also an interview with the main band where Vinnie Colaiuta (drums), Jason Rebello (keyboards) and Tal Wilkenfeld (bass) also comment on their contribution and personal experience with Jeff Beck. As mentioned in the actual booklet, the Blu-ray disc offers an exclusive rockabilly set (a total of seven songs) where Jeff Back, assisted by the Big Town Playboys, pays homage to two very special for him musicians. Finally, there are two more interviews – "Jeff Beck On The Rockabilly Feature" and "Big Town Playboys Interview". (Note: the special features are subtitled in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch and Portuguese).

Jeff Beck: Performing This Week... Live at Ronnie Scott's Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Jeff Beck: Live at Ronnie Scott's is yet another terrifically produced by Eagle Rock Entertainment Blu-ray disc. The audio treatment in particular is very strong. Actually, as far as I am concerned, it is shockingly good, given the number of acoustic limitations that Jeff Beck, his band, and the producers of this disc, had to deal with. To sum it all up, Jeff Beck: Live at Ronnie Scott's offers a terrific opportunity to experience one of the greatest guitar players of our time from the comfort of your home. Very Highly Recommended.