I've been a professional guitarist and music teacher for over two and a half decades. I listen to guitar music day in and day out, ranging in style from Luis de Milan (1536) to Leo Brouwer and Alan Holdsworth. It isn't difficult to observe that almost all music that has survived the test of time has had something valid to say: some of it expresses well the particular fashion/taste of the period; some successfully pushes the existing musical boundaries; and some is just uniquely personal to its creator.

As a musician Jeff Beck belongs mostly within the last of the preceding three groups. Examination of his output suggests it would be hard to argue that he created any new genre, but whenever he experimented in a new field he always sounded unmistakably true to his own unique musical identity. I also believe that a creative performing musician can receive no greater compliment.

The hallmark of Beck's style is melodic fearlessness. This boldness sets him apart musically from perhaps 'superior' technical and 'harmonically informed' peers, especially those of the so-called 'improvisational' based jazz scene. Beck's playing is instantly recognisable and is almost devoid of cliche. Jeff Beck only ever sounds like Jeff Beck. On the occassion that he ever employs a tired phrase of (say) Chuck Berry's, it is in such a manner or in such a place as to turn it on its head or throw new light upon it.

To those wondering whether to add this CD to their collection I recommend that you bear in mind Duke Ellington's words - "There are only two kinds of music: good music and bad music", because this CD belongs unquestionably to the first category. All instrumental, it contains a variety of styles - including ballad, reggae, funk, and rock - read the other reviews for the details. And finally, please don't ever pretend to have any inkling of what Jeff Beck is about, or what he is capable of, without being familiar with this particular album.

Few people have used the guitar as voice so effectively as Jeff Beck. And few recordings in any genre have so beautifully melded guitar with instrumentation. Although Blow By Blow has weak and dated moments, its standout tracks are so startling that I keep referring back to it as a kind of touch-point...to my own past, to an eternal expectation of how really transcendant great music can be. Three tracks have not dated, will never date: "Because We've Ended as Lovers", "Scatterbrain" and "Diamond Dust". Each has a distinctive, difficult, complicated mood. Lovers weeps. Scatterbrain has a manic, brilliant energy and wonderful interplay with a lush, erotic backing string arrangement. But my favorite Jeff Beck song will always be Diamond Dust. Its mood is brooding, edgy, and yet elegiac. The opening bars introduce an uneasy melody against a counterpoint of piano. From there the melody twists around, punctuated by electric piano and the faint, brilliantly arranged strings. It builds and fades, sometimes bright, sometimes aching, and when it ends, you feel as if you need to think a while, maybe take a walk. It's one of the most complicated and beautiful songs in modern music and it amazes and hurts me that some people will die never having heard it.

Jeff Beck's fusion forays aren't for everyone. But there is no denying his musicianship, nor his intimate virtuosity with mood and subtle coloring. This recording has been on my shelves for twenty-five years and, God willing, it will be there for another fifty.

This CD blew me away 25 years ago, and still does today. Despite the number of 'guitar heroes' (whom all of which I admire very much) out there, 'Blow by Blow' was THE one to get the guitar-rock-fusion thing going.

This CD is FAR from dated - it has hooks, jumps, jams and all sorts of other stuff to put it ahead of the pack. Beck, already a 'classic guitarist', outdid himself on this one. The variety of tones and intensity on all the compositions are awesome. 'Freeway Jam' is a classic, as well as the mellow 'Cause we ended as Lovers' - just these 2 are worth price of admission. 'Scatterbrain' and the other gems on 'Side 1' displays Beck's ability to make his way around a guitar like no guitarist could...

This has to be one in your collection if you are a 'guitar-rock' fan (eg Satriani, Vai). Even if you are not, this CD would appeal to the non 'guitar-rock-music' fanatic...

Now this here album was the turning point in my musical preferences. I grew up listening to delta blues and Chicago style electric blues. First heard Mr Beck on the "Over, Under, Sideways, Down" album by the Yardbirds and was immediately drawn to the wildly ecclectic influences of his playing. Far Eastern themes, loud explosive chords, lightning fast runs up and down the fretboard. He was like nothing I'd ever heard before. Blow by Blow is a landmark album in the history of not just rock but electric guitar in general. Beck reached new heights that would culminate with the follow-up, Wired. Jeff Beck may be the greatest electric guitarist of all time. Buy this album and find out for yourself.

If the public at large understood music such as this, they would refuse to have their intelligence further insulted by most of the drum-machined-copy-and-paste-it-get-rich-quick-excrement on the radio. As a musician myself, I'd give both my arms to write and record a song so endearing as "Diamond Dust" Thank you Mr. Beck for inspiring me to invest time in my guitar playing, throw out my drum machine and samples and make better music!