Ten Years After was one of the finest Blues/Rock bands to come out of the UK during the 60’s. The defining element that separated them from a lot of their peers was virtuoso guitarist Alvin Lee.
Alvin Lee is still widely respected today as one of the greatest electric guitarists of his generation by hardcore music fans, but most people have barely heard of Ten Years After, let alone Alvin Lee. They had a top-40 hit single with “I’d Love To Change The World,” but they never really broke into the mainstream.
Alvin Lee played with reckless abandon when he would solo. Bursts of notes would just explode from his guitar. This was during a prolific era dominated by geniuses such as Hendrix, Beck, Clapton, Page, Green, Bloomfield, Allman – and Lee was every bit as impressive and brilliant.
Ten Years After definitely had some great studio albums such as “Ssssh” and “Cricklewood Green,” but where one can really hear the magic of Alvin Lee’s playing is in the band’s live work. Their second album from 1968, “Undead,” was a live recording and really showcased the talents of the band. “I May Be Wrong, But I Won’t Be Wrong Always” and “I’m Going Home” are two fine examples of not only Lee’s brilliance, but the talents of the whole band. Lee didn’t just astonish with his speed and flash, but he also played with a lot of feeling and with a nice knowledge of the Blues as evidenced on “Spoonful” and “Summertime.”
2001 saw the vault release of “Live At The Fillmore East.” This archival gem is a powerful testament to the prowess and dazzling nature of guitarist Alvin Lee. Lee starts off the festivities driving through “Love Like A Man” and absolutely shreds his way all over “50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain.” A must have for any Rock fan and particularly any fan of the pioneers of electric guitar.
Anyone not familiar with Ten Years After and Alvin Lee should definitely explore this band. There are no surprises with the material. It sounds like the era it came from. It is Blues based Rock with an emphasis on strong musicianship. But Alvin Lee is an unsung hero from an innovative era of Rock N’ Roll that deserves more exposure. His influence and inspiration is evident from the first few notes.
Recommended titles:
Undead
Live At The Fillmore East
The Anthology (1967-1971)
Alvin Lee is still widely respected today as one of the greatest electric guitarists of his generation by hardcore music fans, but most people have barely heard of Ten Years After, let alone Alvin Lee. They had a top-40 hit single with “I’d Love To Change The World,” but they never really broke into the mainstream.
Alvin Lee played with reckless abandon when he would solo. Bursts of notes would just explode from his guitar. This was during a prolific era dominated by geniuses such as Hendrix, Beck, Clapton, Page, Green, Bloomfield, Allman – and Lee was every bit as impressive and brilliant.
Ten Years After definitely had some great studio albums such as “Ssssh” and “Cricklewood Green,” but where one can really hear the magic of Alvin Lee’s playing is in the band’s live work. Their second album from 1968, “Undead,” was a live recording and really showcased the talents of the band. “I May Be Wrong, But I Won’t Be Wrong Always” and “I’m Going Home” are two fine examples of not only Lee’s brilliance, but the talents of the whole band. Lee didn’t just astonish with his speed and flash, but he also played with a lot of feeling and with a nice knowledge of the Blues as evidenced on “Spoonful” and “Summertime.”
2001 saw the vault release of “Live At The Fillmore East.” This archival gem is a powerful testament to the prowess and dazzling nature of guitarist Alvin Lee. Lee starts off the festivities driving through “Love Like A Man” and absolutely shreds his way all over “50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain.” A must have for any Rock fan and particularly any fan of the pioneers of electric guitar.
Anyone not familiar with Ten Years After and Alvin Lee should definitely explore this band. There are no surprises with the material. It sounds like the era it came from. It is Blues based Rock with an emphasis on strong musicianship. But Alvin Lee is an unsung hero from an innovative era of Rock N’ Roll that deserves more exposure. His influence and inspiration is evident from the first few notes.
Recommended titles:
Undead
Live At The Fillmore East
The Anthology (1967-1971)
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