BENCH STRENGTH

It's been one Old Timers Day after another for Hall of Fame axe-handler Jeff Beck over the past year or so. First he turned up at the A.R.M.S. benefit, jamming with Jimmy Page and singing Hi Ho Silver Lining, and then he strolled into the studios where many of his former colleagues (not, fortunately, Jan Hammer or Donovan) were toiling over their reunion/comeback/reputation-resuscitating (pick one) attempts, the results of which are now in record stores everywhere.