Caught Live: Jeff Beck, Duff McKagan, A Place To Bury Strangers

The opportunity to attend a live show starring the truly legendary guitar master Jeff Beck presented itself in a gloriously (and diligently worked for) ultimate culmination.

Playing three consecutive nights at The Paramount Theater in Huntington, Long Island, the middle show on Thursday April 16, 2015 was the chosen evening of greatness.

Twitter and Instagram are now the places to find out the latest updates on who, what, where and when.

Inside the venue, the place filled up quickly.

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After the opening act (more about that at the end of this segment) the MAN took to the stage.

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To say the music of Jeff Beck has had a profound impact on my life would be something of an understatement.

The actual fact of the matter is that pretty much of my entire music listening life has had this great man's work as a soundtrack for all of it's passages.

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Jeff's current touring band includes four incredible musicians who all exhibit a masterful virtuosity on their instruments and/or vocals.

Bassist Rhonda Smith

Drummer Jonathan Joseph

Brilliant vocalist Jimmy Hall

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Perfect foil, complimentary second guitarist Nicholas Meier

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A true representation of how this sounds live can be heard here.

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The set ends (before encores).

Fist pumping fever.

Back for a few more songs.

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One more round of applause.

The final wave goodbye.

Opening the show for Jeff was exciting young rising musician Tyler Bryant.

Early into his set it became clear why he was hand picked for this tour.  His skill and talent impressed everyone in the audience.  A new musician well worth checking out.

Social Media imprints of the event showed yet-another indication of how respected this artist truly is.

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Be sure to pick up LIVE +, the new album by #JeffBeck, available in-stores at Barnes and Noble (@BNBuzz) and online here

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Wednesday, May 13th 2015 saw long-time friend of this blog Duff McKagan visiting Long Island for the second night of his New York area book launch.

Promoting his latest book "How To Be A Man (and other Illusions)" an informal Q and A began the evenings presentation.

Held at Book Revue in Huntington, Long Island (yes, just down the street from The Paramount where the Jeff Beck show happened) afforded an up close moment in time with the author.

Duff kept the attentive audience engaged and frequently amused as he answered the moderators questions about the book

After the interview ended, everyone lined up in an orderly fashion to meet the man and get their book signed.

Interesting sightlines throughout the store.

Stairways and balconies.

Meeting the man one more time.

The book, by the way, is most entertaining.  A highly recommended read.

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Three days later A Place To Bury Strangers brought their dark, menacing, hyper-explosive show to Brooklyn Night Bazaar for one of that venues farewell shows.

Although BKB is being forced to leave their present location, the club promises to reopen in a new location soon.

APTBS never disappoints, however and this evening would provide yet-another testament to their utterly captivating live show.

Touring in support of their latest album "Transfixiation," the band once again put on a dazzling tour-de-force of sound and vision.

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Their latest album is incredible.  One that that gets better with repeated listens.

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The Pitchfork Review covers their history well enough - and  makes a few good points about "Transfixiation" - but misses some essential one's as well.

Although correctly identifying 5th track "Deeper" as the records most significant (and personal fave) track, the reference pointed to for "possible inspiration" is a bit of a stretch.

More accurately would be The Jesus And Mary Chain's "Cracked" which proved to be an early "deep" track of their own - initially appearing on that bands "Barbed Wire Kisses" collection, before being reissued in the 2000's on The Power Of Negative Thinking: B-Sides And Rarities

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Additionally, "Transfixiation" album track "We've Come So Far" weaves in elements that reflect the continued influence of My Bloody Valentine.

Most notably the sheering metallic fx’d guitar and ice-angel female backing vocals.

Throttling bass and drums rhythm section. The sound of chainsaws ripping through junkyard cars.

Transfixed indeed.

As the band ended the front stage portion of their show - with drummer Robby wading through the crowd on foot - while we literally crowed surfed bassist Dion across our hands (didn't see how Oliver got around) -they settled in for what has now become a staple of their live shows - an electronic set in the middle of the audience.

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The laser light show that accompanies it is as impressive as the otherworldly sounds they trigger from mysterious electronic devices.

They are simply one of the best live show experiences going.  Never miss a chance to attend one if at all possible.

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