Jeff Beck Shape Of Things: 60'S Groups & Sessions CD - Import

Subtitled - 60s Groups & Sessions. The first in-depth compilation of Jeff Beck's 60s recordings, featuring pre-Yardbirds material including rarities by Screaming Lord Sutch, The Fitz & Startz, The GTOs & the previously un-issued Joe Meek track 'It Ain't Right'. 26 tracks packaged in a slipcase. Castle. 2003.

This Jeff Beck collection rounds up songs from the singer's pre-Yardbirds days. SHAPE OF THINGS: 60'S GROUPS & SESSIONS contains 27 tracks including rare singles, solo works, and Yardbirds classics.
Given that Jeff Beck had such a weird, unpredictable career, it should come as little surprise that a budget-line collection such as Sony Music Special Products' Shapes of Things is as incoherent as it is. Bouncing between Yardbirds and proto-metal, jazz-rock fusion and oldies, tasteful solos and feedback histrionics, the collection makes no sense, even when it hits on such fine moments as "Shapes of Things," "I Ain't Superstitious" and "Plynth (Water Down the Drain)." There are no rarities for collectors, nor are there hits to ensnare casual listeners, making its very existence something of a curiosity. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Sanctuary's at it again, issuing slogs of dead-dog tracks combined with hits by the legends of rock, along with cool liner notes and photos, for decent prices. These really are brilliant packages and have so much on them. Each release is just packed full and satisfying. This set showcasing Jeff Beck's various contributions as an über guitarist both inside and outside the Yardbirds is a wondrous single-disc monolithic revelation. Along with six well-known Yardbirds cuts -- yes, "Heart Full of Soul" and "Shapes of Things" are included -- there are Beck bouts with Screaming Lord Sutch, the Fitz & Startz, and the Nightshift, as well as duets with Jimmy Page and appearances with everyone from John's Children to Donovan, the Smoke, Paul Jones, and the illustrious G.T.O.'s. And, of course, there are three cuts from the Jeff Beck Group as well. Punters may be able to argue with the choices, but they won't be able to argue with the music. The G.T.O.'s material in particular is really out there, and Beck adds immeasurably and unmistakably to the mix of absurdity and roots glam rebellion. There are 26 cuts on this massive set and it is absolutely essential for Beck fans. ~ Thom Jurek

Uncut (8/03, p.120) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Hugely influential, he's displayed an open-minded approach to technical innovation, not to mention a healthy dose of irreverent humour..."
Mojo (Publisher) (7/03, p.119) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...[Beck] was regarded as the consummate guitarists' guitarist of the time....SHAPE OF THINGS showcases the evolution of that clean, picked style in all its myriad mutations and sonic reverberations..."