Albert Lee.

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 26 Jul 2007 10:01 pm

Being side by side with Albert on Guitar he'll help you bring licks out of your fingers you didn't know you could play. I know, we did this at one of Jay Dee Maness's Birthday party, a few years back. The Great Guitarist in the world to me are AL Bruno,Albert Lee, James Burton and my late friend Jimmy Bryant & Don Rich. Leo J.Eiffert,Jr.

Joe Butcher · Post by **Joe Butcher** » 26 Jul 2007 10:11 pm

Jason Odd wrote:His 'lost' solo album from 1969 is a lost country-rock gem, more James Burton than the Flying Burrito Brothers, great vox too.

Would anyone know that name of that album??

Jim Eaton · Post by **Jim Eaton** » 27 Jul 2007 7:19 am

Jason, "Heads Hands and Feet" YEA!!!!
I had the pleasure of working with Pete Gavin the drummer from HH&F for several years in the "Easy Money" band here in the Los Angeles area.
JE:-)>

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 27 Jul 2007 5:45 pm

I think that first album is called 'That's Alright Mama' and contains possibly my favorite version of that tune.

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 28 Jul 2007 12:22 am

Hey Jim, interstingly enough I mentioned Easy Money to someone quite recently, a Texan transplant to L.A. in '73 and I mentioned the mid 70s Pal' regulars, Inman's band and Easy Money and he thought he'd seen you guys supporting guests, etc.

I'm a big fan of the UK crowd, Black Claw, the Tumbleweeds, Spike Island, Country Fever, Head Hands & Feet, Mathews Southern Comfort, Plainsong, Southern Comfort, Cochise, Help Yourself, Brinsley Schwarz, Chas & Dave, etc..

Scott's right, the CD is titled 'That's All Right Mama: The Country Fever & Black Claw Sessions' (Sanctuary/Castle CMQCD 800), via the UK label Sanctuary who have a US arm and distro throughout Asia-Australasia.

Essentially it's Albert's lost album 'Country Fever' (also the name of the group he was working with at the time, who cut their 1970 debut with Albert later in '69), which got as far as a mastering session at Goldstar, but the projected label Bell, didn't pick it up.
It's been issued beofore as part of a comp, this version has the album, outtakes, some singles from the same sessions and the lost Black Claw LP (Chas fronting with Albert) together. Most of the tracks have been on CD, but were deleted until this comp a few years ago.

The back of the CD has a pic of Albert trimmed from a group shot from the first Country Fever album, although the band Country Fever is not on this comp.

J.

(edited coz I missed Scott already naming the CD)

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 28 Jul 2007 4:28 am

A musician buddy turned me on to HHF way back when. It was my introduction to Albert Lee's pickin'. Just a superb group of musicians and great music.

I understand that Ricky Skaggs did the guitar work on HHF'S Country Boy and Albert returned the favor on Ricky's cut of the same tune? Fabulous pickin' both ways.

Jamie Lennon · Post by **Jamie Lennon** » 28 Jul 2007 4:59 am

For those who dont know Albert Lee wrote country boy

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 28 Jul 2007 6:02 am

I understand that Ricky Skaggs did the guitar work on HHF'S Country Boy and Albert returned the favor on Ricky's cut of the same tune? Fabulous pickin' both ways.

I've never encountered the HHF stuff, though I've always wanted to (and for sure I now want to find that other CD of even earlier Albert that I didn't know existed) but given that Albert wrote Country Boy and it's always been his signature guitar showcase, I'm sure he did the guitar work with HHF. And Ricky is credited with guitars (and mandolin) on his version.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 28 Jul 2007 9:58 am

Yeah Brint, I think you are correct. Definitely Albert's composition and I probably got the facts mixed up.

I think I remember Albert Lee's "Hiding" recording from the late 70's? had Ricky playing fiddle on "Country Boy". This may be what was I was thinking of.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 31 Jul 2007 2:19 pm

Holy sh... ('scuse me) HOLY cow!!!

Is that great or what?

Here's this ex rock and roll guy who gets up on stage with no big back back-up band, no delay pedal, no compressor, no stupid overdrive, no $100,000 sound system, no Tele, no Les Paul, and just listen to the result!

Meanwhile, there's about 10,000 wannabees arguing about all that stuff they need to sound good...(that this guy obviously doesn't need).

What a breath of fresh air.

WHAT A PLAYER!

Talent + guitar + amp = GREAT (in my book).

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 31 Jul 2007 3:04 pm

Albert did the guitar solos on the HH&F recording of 'Country Boy' - I doubt he even knew Ricky Skaggs back then. The first version is him playing acoustic (!)

The song was actually written by Tony Colton and Ray Smith (HH&F vocalist and rhythm guitarist respectively); Tony added Albert's name to the credits as his playing was clearly the main reason for the song being written at all!

This has been a common misconception over the years.

RR

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 31 Jul 2007 8:33 pm

Roger, thanks for the correction on the writing credit for "Country Boy"!

Paul Warnik · Post by **Paul Warnik** » 31 Jul 2007 11:12 pm

I saw Albert play at Clapton Crossroads Guitar Fest Chicago last weekend-I know he is a fantastic guitarist but he did not seem to be a very strong vocalist-He played and sang "Country Boy" and I think he actually missed a few notes soloing the intro to it

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 31 Jul 2007 11:16 pm

Having been a fan of Albert Lee since I was a kid in the seventies, I finally got to see him live about a year ago (middle second row seat, fifteen feet away!) with Hogan's Heroes - with exquisitely congenial steel work by Gerry Hogan. These guys are world class players, and you can tell they're having lots of fun doing what they do. Their keyboard player is awesome to watch (and hear).

What I like most about Albert Lee's playing, apart from his great tone and fluidity, is that he can be furiously fast – but only when the song calls for it, never to show off. He's a really good singer too!

If you don't already have Hogan's Heroes DVD (Live in Paris??), get it NOW!

...come to think of it, I must have "seen" him live with Emmylou at a huge arena gig back in 1980 as well - but I had no binoculars with me, so I can't tell for sure.

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 1 Aug 2007 10:02 am

Emmy Lou and the Hot Band at Royce Hall, back in the late 70's. Albert took a solo that got a standing-O from a jaded LA audience even before he finished it.

Carol Johnson · Post by **Carol Johnson** » 5 Aug 2007 11:02 pm

Always loved his string 'pull-off' style playing...

Tim Harr · Post by **Tim Harr** » 14 Sep 2007 4:41 am

I have played (6 string) a few gigs and a few clinics with Albert Lee ..back in the mid 90's.

I have a pic or two on my MYSPACE page.

He is a blast.. and a real fan of classic country and rockabilly. In addition, a good singer too!

I have lots of other pics that I would offer any "die-hard" Albert Lee fans.

And if I can find a way to put it on a CD, I have a cassette of an entire gig and clinic session picking with Albert.

Charles Curtis · Post by **Charles Curtis** » 14 Sep 2007 8:27 am

I believe that is from a VHS video, years ago, with a guy interviewing Albert and sort of an instructional thing. I used to have a copy, don't know what I did with it. I wonder if it was ever put on a DVD?

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 14 Sep 2007 12:23 pm

There seems to be disagreement about Albert's singing here. It's all subjective, of course, but I've always thought him a subtle vocalist. He delivers high-energy rock'n'roll tunes with a delicate and controlled vibrato, and displays vocal chops that almost replicate his pull-off style on guitar.

I think he's an unusually gifted singer and he deserves a second listen if you're not yet convinced.

RR
(He's a pretty good pianist, too!)

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 14 Sep 2007 12:40 pm

Besides the fact that Albert can really take off, the one thing I like most about his playing and have incorporated into my own, is his finesse with notes or short phrases, almost with a Django-like touch. He'll often approach the target notes with chromatic notes above and below and this gives a really sweet flavor. It's a classic Gypsy jazz guitar move. Love his little solo on "Spanish Harlem" with Sneaky Pete.

Jeff Garden · Post by **Jeff Garden** » 14 Sep 2007 4:32 pm

Here's a little more detail on the "Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes Live in Paris" DVD. 2 hours of Albert, Gerry Hogan on steel, and Pete Wingfield (piano), Brian Hodgson (bass), and Peter Baron (drums). Great footage of some monster guitar playing - Albert can chicken pick with the best.
Tunes are:
I'm Ready
Let it Roll
Rock Around With Ollie Vee
On the Boulevard
Restless
Take Your Time
Tiger Rag
Last Date
On the Rebound
Highwayman
Real Wild Child
Just Because
Evangelina
Pink Bedroom
If You See Me Getting Smaller
Country Comfort
One Way Rider
Singin' the Blues
'Til I Gain Control Again
Country Boy
So Sad
Tear It Up

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 14 Sep 2007 10:04 pm

Roger,

About Albert's singing: I agree!

I find him a very expressive singer of both uptempo and ballad material. His vocal equipment is unusual, but there are icons of popular music whose voices are even more idiosyncratic.

Randy Phelps · Post by **Randy Phelps** » 14 Sep 2007 10:52 pm

Jason Odd wrote:His 'lost' solo album from 1969 is a lost country-rock gem, more James Burton than the Flying Burrito Brothers, great vox too.

his version of "on a real good night' is amazing.

Ben Elder · Post by **Ben Elder** » 15 Sep 2007 10:12 am

I used to work at a mom-and-pop mostly bluegrass music store where his daughter Alex took fiddle lessons. Even though Albert is about the most unaffected person you could imagine, I was always in awe when he came in.

Another time, when Karen had fiddle-lesson driving duty, she was gathering a comp list (papering the house) for the Everly Bros. at Universal Amphitheater (pre-Gibson/post-open-air). Seats were high and to the left, but I noticed as the show started, the steel player (opposite side of the stage) was wearing a derby hat. Are...you...KIDDING...me? I didn't know my initialssake was in the band and hadn't seen him backstage before the show.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 24 Sep 2007 5:07 am

I was a Head Hands and Feat fan and knew about Albert long before the Hot Band exposure; I've run into him everywhere from NAMM to a pizza joint to a Guitar Center Clinic - where he invited my then 12 year old son to mess with his guitars while he was setting up. The thing I love about Albert is he treats everyone the same - he's a nice guys, puts on no airs, and will play anyplace, anywhere, any time, with anyone at any skill level - and have fun doing it. He'll also never bury a lesser player on stage...he'll hold back just enough to not embarrass someone, and he can bury just about anyone.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Albert Lee.

Re: albert solo '69

Re: albert solo '69