Players picks - This is an interesting mix that was part of Alvin Lees defining himself after TYA. Makes for quite an insight into the music that he thinks defines him. All really good choices for anyone who doesn t have a good collection of Alvin Lee (with and without) Ten Years After, or just wants a good CD to listen to.
The best guitar player there with a mix of his solo work - Alvin Lee is simply the most underrated and under-appreciated guitarist/singer/song writer/musician in the business .His riviting performance at Woodstock labeled him as a type as kind of a one gtrick pony. And after doing all of the singing/writing/lead and only guitarwork/arranging for the sound he carved out for Ten Years After, people have know idea how much he was held back by people screaming I m going home at concerts and by the inferior musicians who Alvin carried who were way too inflexible to play all of the music that the prolific Alvin Lee wrote. Good musicians, but totally lacked creativity, but meshed great with that one sound that Ten Years After produced. There is a reason that none of the three never were able to back up anyone or hook up with a new band.Alvin s music frang some great old type rock, (Jennie, Jennie) to one of the most beautiful, perfect blues songs with George Harrison playing a searing slide guitar The Bluest Blues. Alvin also is fantastic with his spiritiual ballad and a classic album, just got released on a CD, backed by Steve Winwood, George Harrison, Ron Wood with On the Road to Freedom Made back in 1972, wiht Alvin writing a wonderful ballad and his first venture away from the limitations of the flexibility and talent level of Ten Years After. Be aware, that Alvin just got back from Nashville and cut an album with his boyhood idols. It will be a rockbilly album of Alvin s own songs, cut at Scotty Moores place with Scotty playing a some songs with Alvin along with the rest of the guys who backed Elvis. It is going to be great. To learn more, you can check out www.alvinlee.com Fans be careful, there is a phoney, damaged group caling themselves Ten Years After that is a revival act with some 25 year old nobody imitating Alvin s licks. It is pretty ugly, but don t be fooled. Ten Years After broke up years ago.