1995

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Alvin Lee and Ian Wallace in Spain, 1995

 

 

 

PURE BLUES - CD Review

The music of Ten Years After with Alvin Lee:

Pure blues, released in 1995, is an excellent introduction to the music of Ten Years after and their featured ex guitarist Alvin Lee. It’s a well put together compilation (Greatest Blues Hits) of their outstanding blues material, a cross section mind you and nowhere close to their total output of the blues.

It really does showcase the bands musical talents, as well as provide Alvin with a vehicle in which to spread his wings and fly from one track to another with little resistance.

My only real concern here, is that more and more people are truly unaware of the magnificent musicianship of Ten Years After as a hard working band and for their individual efforts that make the band thrive as a whole unit.

This album is a great sampler of how the blues should be played, right from the first track to the last. If you appreciate great sounding blues, that has energy, emotion and passion, this is the cd for you. Look no further! 

By Dave

 



Alvin Lee was performing in Moscow, Russia in 1995. There were two gigs played at the Moscow Youth Dome. One was on March 24th and the other on March 25th. Both shows were superb, unfortunately it was not the best time in our country. It was rather unstable after Gorbachev’s perestroika. The advertising for the concert was very poor, the tickets were rather expensive and the Dome was only one third full I’m sorry to report. I’ve chanced to be present at that great event, and was greatly impressed.

 

Question to Leo Lyons:

Have you ever been to Russia? To Moscow or St. Peters burg? If so what were your impressions?

Leo:

“I’m sorry to say that Ten Years After have never played in Russia. We were offered shows to play there many times, but Alvin Lee always refused to do them. There was no logic to it, and at the time it made me very angry with him. It makes even less sense when he eventually played there with his own band. The Alvin Lee Band.

It’s been a long standing ambition of mine and the rest of Ten Years After, to tour Russia. Now with Joe Gooch in the line-up, it will be possible.

 

It was The Alvin Lee Band in 1995, consisting of:

Alvin Lee – Guitar and Vocals

Steve Gould – Bass Guitar and Vocals

Steve Grant – Keyboards

Alan Young - Drums

 

 


 

                             Recorded in 1994 / Released in 1995

 

 

 

Alvin Lee Band – Live In Vienna – 1994

If you’re a loyal Ten Years After / Alvin Lee fan, this cd is just for you. You’ll be hard pressed not to add this one to your collection. Alvin and band are in great form, playing with clarity and intensity, so seldom heard during this part of Alvin’s career – it’s refreshing.

The entire band sounds bright, alert and happy to be in Vienna for this live recording event.

The sound is that of a good bootleg recording. Not so much muffled as a hollow, echo-e –annoying  sound. But as the concert progresses and your ears adjust to the sub-standard audio part and the great live performance kicks into gear, it over-rides the lack of audio dynamics. By the third song you’re in for the ride, no polish and no over production here. It now, sounds and feels real, and that’s what matters in the end.

In my opinion, the best songs are: Help Me, Love Like A Man, I’m Going Home, Rip It Up,  and Hear Me Callin´.  The rest do nothing to impress me, they’re just filler / fluff and offer nothing substantial to the listener. 

What’s missing here is simple, Leo Lyons, Ric Lee and Chick Churchill – without them, you only get a good concert, instead of a great live concert experience.  

Alvin Lee Band:

Sound - 5

Performance - 8  

 

Review by Dave

 

 


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