Truth: Rod Stewart, Ron Wood & The Jeff Beck Group
by Dave Thompson

Gimme some truth

Anyone hoping for a book that will nurse egos, peck bottoms and herald the Jeff Beck Group as the little-publicised second coming will be sadly disappointed. Instead, they get this: an honest, entertaining and satisfying read as Dave Thompson digs deep into the nitty-gritty.

Among the luminaries, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page contribute to stories of band break-ups, instruments being used as weapons in self-destructive battles, power cuts during shows and, of course, full quotations from all the bad reviews. Amateur dramatics? Think again.

Beck’s history is described in extensive detail, from the early days of Fender-dreaming while playing homemade, irregularly proportioned guitars, to his exploits with groupies (meetings with the infamous ‘Plaster Casters’ included); a love affair that ended a few stolen possessions later. From his days with The Yardbirds, to forming the Jeff Beck Group and the release of the highly influential Truth, no stone is left unturned. It often results in forays into other bands’ pasts as well. The text can be a tad dense at times, but this is an informative read that captures the atmosphere of the time.

3 stars 3 stars 3 stars

ISBN 190144760X

Reviewed by Amy Lavelle
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