All Shook Up

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin "All Shook Up" by the Jeff Beck Group from their 1969 album Beck-Ola. This track is a fiery cover of Elvis Presley’s classic, transformed into a gritty, blues-rock stomper. According to a review from Rolling Stone, Jeff Beck’s guitar work on this song blends screaming riffs with a rollicking piano backdrop, courtesy of Nicky Hopkins, giving it a raw edge that sets it apart from the original. Rod Stewart, the band’s vocalist, delivers a soulful performance that Ultimate Classic Rock praised as proof of his status as one of the finest white blues singers of the era. Interestingly, Stewart later expressed mixed feelings about the band’s choice to include two Elvis covers on the album, feeling it lagged behind the trend of focusing on original material, as he noted in a retrospective interview.

Another tidbit comes from the album’s recording process, which was remarkably swift. Beck-Ola was laid down over just six days in April 1969, with "All Shook Up" being one of the tracks that captured the band’s live energy. A post on X from the official Jeff Beck account in 2016 highlighted how the band’s heavy sound on this album helped them break into the American market. However, tensions were high during this period. Stewart recalled in an interview with Glide Magazine that the recording sessions were marked by confrontations between Beck and producer Mickie Most, with Beck growing increasingly moody. The band’s rendition of "All Shook Up" also features a scythe-sharp riff that, as Glide Magazine noted, could’ve been enhanced with horns for authenticity but still packs a punch with its hell-bent energy.

The Jeff Beck Group’s story begins with Jeff Beck, born Geoffrey Arnold Beck on June 24, 1944, in Wallington, Surrey, England. A guitar prodigy, Beck’s career kicked off in the early 1960s when he joined Screaming Lord Sutch, a rock-and-roll eccentric, as noted in his Britannica biography. This gig caught the attention of the Yardbirds, where Beck replaced Eric Clapton in 1965, honing his innovative style. After leaving the Yardbirds in 1966, Beck formed the Jeff Beck Group in 1967, recruiting Rod Stewart on vocals, Ronnie Wood on bass, and a rotating cast of drummers. Their debut album, Truth, released in 1968, laid the groundwork for heavy blues-rock, influencing bands like Led Zeppelin. Beck’s vision was to push boundaries, blending blues with hard rock, as seen in Beck-Ola. Despite the band’s brief run due to internal conflicts, Beck’s fearless guitar work earned him a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, first with the Yardbirds in 1992 and as a solo artist in 2009.

Fans can connect with Jeff Beck’s legacy through his official website and social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and X. For those looking to dive deeper, fan communities thrive online. The Jeff Beck Group Fan Club on Facebook is a vibrant space where enthusiasts share memories and rare photos. Another great resource is Jeff Beck Fan, a fan-run site packed with discographies and tour archives. These platforms keep the spirit of Beck’s music alive, perfect for Zoo Freaks who want to explore more of his groundbreaking sound.