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Blow by Blow signaled a new creative peak for Beck, and it proved to be a difficult act to follow. It is a testament to the power of effective collaboration and, given the circumstances, Beck clearly rose to the occasion. In addition to being a personal milestone, Blow by Blow ranks as one of the premiere recordings in the canon of instrumental rock music. - Mark Kirschenmann/AMG

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Blow by Blow is a solo album by British electric guitarist Jeff Beck. The Epic Records release, recorded in October 1974, was released in 1975. Considered one of his best releases, former Yardbirds sideman Chris Dreja had predicted in 1965 that Beck's current sound "...was 1975." In a glowing review on Allmusic, Mark Kirschenmann said that "Blow by Blow ranks as one of the premiere recordings in the canon of instrumental rock music."

As an all-instrumental album it was a surprising commercial success, with a jazz fusion-like approach seldom seen on best-selling lists at the time. It was certified gold in 1976.

The album was produced by George Martin and recorded at his own AIR studios. Martin also composed string arrangements for two of the tracks, "Scatterbrain" and "Diamond Dust".

As a big admirer of fellow guitarist Roy Buchanan, Beck dedicated the track "Cause We've Ended as Lovers" to him.




Track listing

Side A

1. "You Know What I Mean" (Jeff Beck, Max Middleton) – 4:05
2. "She's a Woman" (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) – 4:31
3. "Constipated Duck" (Beck) – 2:48
4. "Air Blower" (Beck, Phil Chen, Middleton, Richard Bailey) – 5:09
5. "Scatterbrain" (Beck, Middleton) – 5:39

Side B

1. "Cause We've Ended as Lovers" (Stevie Wonder) – 5:52
2. "Thelonius" (Stevie Wonder) – 3:16
3. "Freeway Jam" (Middleton) – 4:58
4. "Diamond Dust" (Bernie Holland) – 8:26

Personnel

* Jeff Beck - Guitar, Bass
* Max Middleton - Keyboards
* Stevie Wonder - Keyboards (un-credited in 2001 CD liner notes)
* Phil Chen - Bass
* Richard Bailey - Drums, Percussion

* George Martin - Producer, String Arrangements
* Vic Anesini - Mastering
* Denim Bridges - Engineer
* Steven Saper - Engineer