For My Sunday Song #129, we are tackling the Jeff Beck classic, “Beck’s Bolero”.  The song was recorded back in 1966 and released by Beck in 1967.  This was the first release after Beck left the Yardbirds in hopes of quieting everyone that were upset about him leaving the band.  The song would wind up on his 1968 debut album ‘Truth’.

Now, before we get in to the song, I think we need to discuss the musicians that were on this track. The songwriter is said to be a guitarist by the name of Jimmy Page with contributions to it by Beck himself.  The line-up was Jeff Beck (of course), Jimmy Page, Keith Moon, John Paul Jones and Nicky Hopkins.  Damn!!  That is a line-up.  It was later confirmed that was the early incarnations of a little band you might have heard of called Led Zeppelin!!  Pretty dang cool.

Okay, back to the song…the song is inspired in part by Ravel’s “Bolero” obviously.  The song is made up of three parts.  The first is Page giving us that Bolero sound and then Beck bringing in the melody and almost spiritual, spacey sound going.  Part two kicks in with a scream and Keith Moon beating the crap out of the drums.  The tempo picks up with some distorted guitar sounds and the song rocks out with some slamming keyboard as well.  And part three brings us back to the earthy sounds of the beginning with some added fills and more melody.  It is a sensational journey.

 

To think what could have come from this group if they would have stayed together.  How different would the world of music had been of the Led Zeppelin we know and love would have never been around.  The horrors!!  At least we got this song and Led Zeppelin would go on to do great things.  I am thankful for that.

Give the song a listen and let me know what you think.  I hope you enjoy it and I hope you have a Happy Sunday!!!