written by Brad Tolinski & Chris Gill
When we think of a Rock ‘n Roll legend, we usually envision arenas packed with screaming fans and a decadent lifestyle filled with groupies, endless parties, and mansions. We don’t tend to think of a tortured artist toiling for decades in search of perfection and capturing the music they hear in their head. As authors Brad Tolinski and Chris Gill detail in this book, the toiling perfectionist label fits guitar legend Jeff Beck much better than decadent party animal. And perhaps no writers are better positioned to write about Beck than the two long-time music journalists from “Guitar World” magazine.
It’s not surprising when a list of greatest guitarists is published without Jeff Beck’s name. Always listed are Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, and Eddie Van Halen (about whom the two authors wrote, “Eruption: Conversations with Eddie Van Halen”). However, the writers at Rolling Stone magazine placed Beck fifth on their 2023 list, and, as foolish as it seems to try to rank great guitarists, any list omitting Beck cannot be considered legitimate. Although his long-time girlfriend, British model Celia Hammond and his wife (at the time of his death) Sandra Cash are mentioned in the book, the focus is on Jeff Beck’s never-ending search for music perfection (as if it exists), rather than any semblance of his personal life not involving music or cars.
The book does an extraordinary job of taking us on Beck’s non-linear musical journey. It’s impossible to place one label on his music or style, yet all of the following apply: rock, jazz, jazz fusion, R&B, blues, instrumental, and progressive. The authors recount Beck’s early influences, while understanding that the most effective approach is allowing Beck’s story to speak for itself. Was he a key piece of rock supergroup The Yardbirds? Well, yes, he was … and they fired him. Did he seem to prefer instrumental music? Well, yes, he did … yet he also recorded with legendary vocalist Rod Stewart, as well as many others. Has anyone ever opted NOT to join the Rolling Stones? Well, yes, Jeff Beck decided it wasn’t for him.
A (usually friendly) rivalry with Eric Clapton is understandable, as are friendships with Jimmy Page and Ronnie Wood. As the chapters passed in the book, I couldn’t help but wonder if the authors put together a flow chart of fellow musicians Beck played with, toured with, or recorded with. It’s a veritable ‘who’s who’ of music beginning in the 1960’s. We learn an early spark occurred for Beck while watching Little Richard in THE GIRL CAN’T HELP It (1956) and listening to Gene Vincent play guitar. Still, his constant drive for the sound he wanted was an internal trait that didn’t always sit well with band members and music producers, much less the labels that pushed him for mainstream/accessible songs.
Attempts to reconcile, or make sense, of Jeff Beck’s life and career are fruitless. It’s best to let the music speak … or the words on this book’s page. Beck is a man who jammed on stage with rock royalty, traded pranks with Les Paul, played with Jagger at the White House, and had a complicated history with the great Stevie Wonder over the classic song, “Superstition”. The book goes into detail on that messy situation, while ending with the confirmation that Johnny Depp was one of only two humans graveside at Beck’s burial. The two men had become close friends and recorded an album together … Beck’s last.
Authors Tolinski and Gill worked diligently to help us understand what drove Jeff Beck, and how he often created his own obstacles to success by sticking to his methods. Beck had successful solo albums (“Blow by Blow”, “Wired”), won multiple Grammy Awards, and was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (with The Yardbirds, and as a solo act), yet his mainstream popularity never reached the level of his talent. Should you doubt his place as a music legend, simply take time to read the tributes paid to him upon his death by the long list of music legends you likely have on your playlist. Better yet, just take the time to read this book and appreciate the commitment Jeff Beck maintained for his art.
The book is available on AMAZON beginning July 14, 2026
Posted by David Ferguson 
Greetings again from the darkness. As a huge fan of THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939), I admire the homage paid to the classic film by writer-director David Wain (WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER, 2001) and his co-writer Ken Marino, collaborators on ROLE MODELS (2008) and WANDERLUST (2012). In fact, there are long-term shared comedic genes noted throughout the list of cast, crew, and filmmakers here … with quite a few running through the “Reno 911!” franchise. If that’s not hint enough, I’ll repeat what I’ve written many times over the years: comedy tastes are quite diverse, and some will laugh heartily at this one, while others will be baffled as to what is so funny.
Greetings again from the darkness. Other than basic decency and human connection, there are few things that define a person and their life more than education. Whether gained in a classroom or through daily experiences, understanding people and history is what provides our perspective and our foundation of humanity. A common strategy of small-minded authoritarians who seek only more power is to limit educational opportunities for others … as if holding one group down will lift up said power-monger. This is on full display in this film based on the experiences Azar Nafisi detailed in her 2003 memoir. The film is directed by Eran Riklis (LEMON TREE, 2008), who co-wrote the screenplay with Marjorie David.
If you are looking for a timeline of movie history compiled by one of the foremost film historians, and if you find text sprinkled with harsh opinions from a pompous expert to be an added benefit, then David Thomson has written the book for you. The British-born octogenarian has contributed thoughtful film criticism to most every major publication, and this is his 45th published book – some biographies, some based on television, most on cinema, and all with ties to the industry that supplies moving pictures for entertainment. This latest book covers the entire history from Eadward Muybridge’s galloping horses in 1887 to the Best Picture win for Sean Baker’s ANORA at the 2025 Oscars.
Greetings again from the darkness. “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” It’s a famous adage that easily could continue with ‘through no fault of their own’ … and as it pertains to writer-director Alice Winocour’s (MUSTANG, 2015) latest film, the adage applies specifically the women. For a film based on Fashion Week in Paris, we get a rare glimpse inside the Chanel showroom. More importantly we get a feel for the stress and pressure being carried by those involved.
Greetings again from the darkness. Craig Gillespie previously directed I, TONYA (2017) and LARS AND THE REAL GIRL (2007), among other projects, and it’s perhaps those two films – both featuring odd outsiders – that motivated producer James Gunn to choose him to helm the feature film that brings DC’s Supergirl back to the big screen. The screenplay is by Ana Nogueira, and of course features characters originated by Jerry Siegel and Joel Shuster, with the key source material being the comic, “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow”.
Greetings again from the darkness. This is at least the eighth film adaptation of a story by Cesc Gay: THE PEOPLE UPSTAIRS (Spain, 2020), VICINI DI CASA (Italy, 2022), THE NEIGHBORS FROM UPSTAIRS (Switzerland, 2023), V DOBREM I ZLEM (Czech Republic, 2024), NEPRILICHNYE GOSTI (Russia, 2024), MAYBE MORE (France, 2024), THE PEOPLE UPSTAIRS (S Korea, 2025). Clearly, it’s a story and situation that resonates with many couples, regardless of geography, language, or culture … and director Olivia Wilde provides an American spin with assistance from co-writers Will McCormack (Oscar winner, TOY STORY 4) and Rashida Jones (“Parks and Recreation”).
Greetings again from the darkness. This documentary opens with Steve Martin sitting on the sofa conversing with his friend Peter Asher. An early point is made that defining or labeling Peter Asher is a bit challenging, and co-directors Daniel Geller and Dayna Goldfine (collaborators for more than 35 years, including HALLELUJAH: LEONARD COHEN, A STORY, A SONG, 2021) then proceed to spell out his remarkable career and his impact on music and the music industry. Perhaps the closest comparison we can offer is that of the recently deceased music executive, Clive Davis. Two influential men who brought passion to the work.
Greetings again from the darkness. So what is it that differentiates this one from the many other crime-comedies that have come before? The truth is … not much, but maybe just enough to keep fans of the genre tuned in. It certainly has an intriguing cast, and writer-director Derrick Borte (back with his UNHINGED star) and co-writer Daniel Forte have adapted the 2010 Thomas Perry novel, “Strip”.
Greetings again from the darkness. We discover a certain guilty pleasure in following a lost soul millennial as he searches for meaning, connection, or some reason to exist. The film from writer-director Adam Jumba and co-writer Christian Flowers is one of the closing night films for this year’s Dances With Films LA festival, and it’s likely to generate plenty of thought and consideration for viewers.
Movie Reviews from the Dark 