On July 29, 1968 (US), and on October 4, 1968 (UK), Jeff Beck released his first solo album "Truth".
"Truth" is a seminal work that showcases Beck's innovative approach to guitar-driven music. Released half a year before "Led Zeppelin" debut this album stands as a cornerstone in the development of blues rock, hard rock and even early heavy metal.
This album introduced the talents of Rod Stewart on vocals, Micky Waller (Who played with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers) on drums, and Ronnie Wood (who would later join "The Rolling Stones") on bass, as the members of the Jeff Beck Group. But the album features many more known musicians as future "Led Zeppelin" members Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, "The Who" drummer Keith Moon, Nicky Hopkins, Aynsley Dunbar, and more, some of which had not been credited on the album's cover.
After he departed from "The Yardbirds" in late 1966, Jeff Beck released three singles that achieved success in the UK charts, in two of them he was the lead singer. These singles featured pop-oriented A-sides and blues-based B-sides, the latter where hinting at the musical direction Beck would fully embrace with "Truth". Aside from "Beck's Bolero" who was composed by Jimmy Page and recorded in May 1966, the album's recording sessions, spanning just four days in May 1968, resulted in a collection of nine eclectic tracks, including both original compositions and creative covers.
"Truth" opens with "Shapes of Things," a reinterpretation of a song from Beck’s "Yardbirds" tenure, setting a powerful tone for the album. If you want to draw a history line of the development of music, then this song was one of those moments when blues rock started to change its face towards hard rock. It features standout drumming by Micky Waller, heavy bass playing by Ronnie Wood and distorted guitar sound (listen to the power chord on 1:45) with a psychedelic edge driven by Beck’s innovative guitar work.
This sound and vibe will continue through the whole album, in tracks like the heavy blues rocker influenced by "Cream" - "Let Me Love You", Willie Dixon’s "You Shook Me" that half a year later "Led Zeppelin" would copy to the dissatisfaction of Beck, and Howlin' Wolf’s "I Ain’t Superstitious" (that Dixon wrote) and "Megadeth" will later cover for their 1986 album "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?"
Even though this album is mostly based on cover songs, the interpretation and innovation of Beck were enough to make it a key album in the development of blues rock into hard rock and heavy metal. You can find only three originals credited to "Jeffrey Rod" (a pseudonym for Beck and Stewart) and even they were inspired from other artists: "Let Me Love You" (inspired by Buddy Guy), "Rock My Plimsoul" and "Blues Deluxe," (both derived from B.B. King songs, the latter features an impressive piano lead by Hopkins and overdubbed audience sounds to mimic a live performance, a production choice Beck later regretted.
The album also features covers of "Ol' Man River" by Jerome Kern, the traditional "Greensleeves", Bonnie Dobson's "Morning Dew", Willie Dixon’s "You Shook Me" and Howlin' Wolf’s "I Ain’t Superstitious" (which Dixon also wrote).
You can say that the only "pure" track on the album is "Beck's Bolero", an instrumental track that was recorded in different sessions 2 years before the recordings of "Truth", featuring Jimmy Page (who also wrote it), John Paul Jones, Keith Moon, and Nicky Hopkins. This track highlights Beck's experimental side and serves as a precursor to the heavy rock sound that would later define "Led Zeppelin".
(Photo: Chris Walter)
"Truth" remains a pivotal album in rock history, showcasing Jeff Beck's pioneering guitar work and the raw talent of his bandmates. Its innovative fusion of blues and rock set the stage for future musical explorations, solidifying Beck’s reputation as one of the genre’s foremost guitarists. This album is not only a testament to Beck's visionary artistry but also a crucial influence on the development of blues rock, hard rock and early heavy metal, shaping the future of rock music.
Upon its release, "Truth" received widespread acclaim. Al Kooper of "Rolling Stone" hailed it as a "classic," comparing it to the 1966 "Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton" LP and praising the Jeff Beck Group's energetic performance.
Classic Rock magazine ranked "Truth" eighth on its list of the 30 greatest British blues rock albums, highlighting its role in establishing the genre's sound. Tom Scholz of "Boston" cited it as his favorite album, emphasizing its lasting impact. Blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa has covered several tracks from the album, further testament to its enduring influence.
For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music
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