Released in 1976,
Jeff Beck's
Wired contains some of the best
jazz-rock fusion of the period.
Wired is generally more muscular, albeit less-unique than its predecessor,
Blow by Blow. Joining keyboardist
Max Middleton, drummer
Richard Bailey, and producer
George Martin from the
Blow by Blow sessions are drummer
Narada Michael Walden, bassist
Wilbur Bascomb, and keyboardist
Jan Hammer.
Beck contributed no original material to
Wired, instead relying on the considerable talents of his supporting cast. Perhaps this explains why
Wired is not as cohesive as
Blow by Blow, seemingly more assembled from component parts.
Walden's powerful drumming propels much of
Wired, particularly
Middleton's explosive opener,
"Led Boots," where
Beck erupts into a stunning solo of volcanic intensity.
Walden also contributes four compositions, including the
funk-infused
"Come Dancing," which adds an unnamed horn section. While
Walden's
"Sophie" is overly long and marred by
Hammer's
arena rock cliches, his
"Play With Me" is spirited and
Hammer's soloing more melodic. Acoustic guitar and piano predominate the closing
ballad,
"Love Is Green";
Beck's electric solo gracefully massages the quiet timbres.
Wired is well balanced by looser, riff-oriented material and
Walden's more intricate compositions.
Walden and
Hammer give
Wired a '70s-era
jazz-rock flavor that is indicative of their work with
the Mahavishnu Orchestra.
Bascomb's throw-down,
"Head for Backstage Pass," finds
Bailey skillfully navigating the mixed meters while
Beck counters with a dazzling, gritty solo.
Hammer's
"Blue Wind" features an infectious riff over which
Beck and
Hammer trade heated salvos. As good as
"Blue Wind" is, it would have benefited from the
Walden/
Bascomb rhythm section and a horn arrangement by
Martin. One of
Wired's finest tracks is an arrangement of
Charles Mingus'
"Goodbye Pork Pie Hat." Beck's playing is particularly alluring: cleanly ringing tones, weeping bends, and sculpted feedback form a resonant palette.
Bailey and
Middleton lend supple support. Within a two-year span, the twin towers
Blow by Blow and
Wired set a standard for
instrumental rock that even
Beck has found difficult to match. On
Wired, with first-rate material and collaborators on hand, one of
rock's most compelling guitarists is in top form. ~ Mark Kirschenmann
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