She's A Woman

The Zoo Crew is spinning Jeff Beck’s groovy cover of "She’s a Woman" from his iconic Blow by Blow album, and the Zoo Freaks are vibing to its reggae-jazz fusion. This track, originally by The Beatles, got a wild makeover in 1975 with Beck’s innovative use of a talk box, one of the earliest appearances of this effect in rock. A 2023 post on X by Danny Deraney notes that Beck used a device called “The Bag,” a precursor to the talk box made famous by Peter Frampton, to make his guitar “sing” the vocals, mimicking the song’s melody in a way that’s both faithful and totally out there. A 2016 reader submission to The Atlantic raves about the track’s “laid-back, reggae-jazz vibe” and “amazing, complicated musicianship,” highlighting the then-19-year-old drummer Richard Bailey’s killer performance. But not everyone was sold on the arrangement— a 2023 review on Brutally Honest Rock Album Reviews calls the backing track “muzak-laden,” comparing it to elevator music, though it praises Beck’s stellar guitar work in the second half for nearly saving it. During a 1975 Cleveland show, Beck’s frustration with the talk box led him to smash his Yardbirds-era Fender Stratocaster and ditch the effect mid-performance, switching to a Les Paul, as detailed on Wikipedia.

Jeff Beck, born Geoffrey Arnold Beck on June 24, 1944, in Wallington, Surrey, kicked off his musical journey as a kid obsessed with the electric guitar. At six, he heard Les Paul’s “How High the Moon” on the radio and told his mom, “That’s for me,” according to his Wikipedia bio. As a teen, he borrowed guitars and even tried building his own, gluing cigar boxes to an unsanded fence post with painted-on frets. Early influences included Cliff Gallup, B.B. King, Steve Cropper, and Lonnie Mack, shaping his bluesy, innovative style. By his teens, he was gigging around London, and in 1965, at 20, he joined The Yardbirds, replacing Eric Clapton on Jimmy Page’s recommendation. His 20-month stint produced hits like Roger the Engineer and the iconic “Beck’s Bolero,” recorded with Page, Keith Moon, John Paul Jones, and Nicky Hopkins. After The Yardbirds, Beck formed the Jeff Beck Group with Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood, blending blues, hard rock, and soul, setting the stage for his genre-defying career.

Sadly, Jeff Beck passed away on January 10, 2023, so his official website and social media are no longer active, but you can still explore his legacy at www.jeffbeck.com for discography and history. His official Facebook page and Instagram accounts remain as tributes, with posts celebrating his work. On X, fans and peers continue to share memories of his genius. For Zoo Freaks wanting to connect with other fans, check out the Jeff Beck Group on Facebook, a vibrant community sharing rare photos, videos, and stories. Another great spot is JeffBeckFan.com, a fan-run site packed with news, tour archives, and forums to keep the Beck love alive.