1. Stella By Starlight
2. Manha De Carnaval
3. The Guitar Is A Six Piece Band
4. Georgia On My Mind
5. Alone Together
6. Trio Intros
7. Tenderly
8. On Ballads And Drinking
9. I Can’t Get Started
10. You And The Night And The Music
11. Jobim
12. Corcovado
13. Georgia On My Mind
Joe Beck - Guitar
Peter Barshay - Bass
David Rokeach – Drums
Joe Beck was an American guitarist who died in 2008 and was primarily known as a session and studio musician working for such luminaries are Miles Davis,
Gil Evans and Frank Sinatra among others. This live session was recorded at Anna’s Jazz Island in Berkeley, California on September 14, 2006 which
confirmed him to be a guitarist of the first order who did not achieve the recognition his playing deserved.
In this straight-ahead live session, Beck eschews some of the effects and electronics that he used in the past and, supported only by bass and drums, he
had the stage to himself for all intents and purposes. The set list was composed of familiar titles but developed for Beck’s unique approach on his
instrument. Using a combination of chordal blocks and single-note lines, Beck weaves a magic tapestry of sounds that he develops on each piece starting
with Stella By Starlight. Given that the trio appear to be such understanding and aware partners, it is interesting to note that they never played
together before and were chosen by the club’s owner specifically for this date. But their symmetry and contemplative mutual understanding comes shining
through on all tracks but is especially evident on Alone Together, Tenderly and You And The Night And The Music. This outing was
Beck’s last recording before succumbing to lung cancer in 2008 and it is indeed a worthy adieu.
Pierre Giroux
CD Reviews
Whaling City Records 
