On October 14, global superstars Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp headlined The Paramount in Huntington on Long Island. This was their first of two consecutive nights at the venue, and they played for a sold-out audience.
Jeff Beck kicked off the show with “Freeway Jam” instantly luring the audience in with his killer guitar riffs, and he immediately broke into “Me and the Devil Blues” and “Big Block,” as well as “Star Cycle.”
Beck subsequently took his New York audience on a trip down memory lane to 1975 with “Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers.”
A highlight moment was when they performed “Rumble” by the iconic guitar pioneer Link Wray, the father of the power chord and distortion. This timeless tune holds the distinction of being the sole instrumental in rock history that was banned from radio for fear that it would incite youth violence at the time of its release in the late ’50s. Their noteworthy version would have made the late but great Link Wray proud, and it was neat that they were able to introduce it to a younger generation of fans.
It was followed by “This Is a Song for Miss Hedy Lamarr” and a soaring rendition of “Isolation.”
They paid a fitting homage to The Velvet Underground with “Venus in Furs” and delivered an instrumental version of The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life,” which was an added bonus.
After a distinct cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing,” they closed with “The Death and Resurrection Show,” where they left the crowd wanting to hear more.
The Verdict
Overall, it was a “Paramount” performance by Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp on Long Island. Jeff Beck proved to be a master of tone and an extremely intricate guitarist, and an astute songwriter. His show with Johnny Depp was a match made in musical heaven.
Johnny Depp was exceptional in his own right as an instrumentalist, singer (where he showcased his rich, resonant vocals), and song stylist. It is recommended that one sees them live when they come to town to perform.
