Although technically he never left, Alvin Lee is back. Recorded in 2003 at original Elvis guitarist Scotty Moore's Nashville home studio, with Moore as the mastermind behind the sessions (although due to ear problems he only plays on two tracks), along with Presley's drummer D.J. Fontana on the skins, this would be a listenable effort regardless of who was singing. With ex-Ten Years After's Alvin Lee playing guitar and taking the lead vocals it's a powerfully compelling disc that approximates many of the Sun label greats. Recorded predominantly live in the studio and sounding it, these songs -- mostly originals written expressly for the sessions and an unexpectedly rip-snorting run through of the TYA chestnut "I'm Going Home" -- find Lee at his most enthusiastic. He's clearly having a blast returning to his roots with some of the original architects of the sound backing him up, and that energy jumps out of the grooves. The songs aren't particularly memorable ("I'm Gonna Make It" is little more than a rewrite of "Great Balls of Fire," "How Do You Do It" sounds like any number of Chuck Berry tunes) but Lee is singing harder and riffing with more fire than he has in years. With blistering support from a band that can play this stuff in their sleep, Lee is in full flight. Of particular note is Pete Pritchard's rollicking double bass and Willie Rainsford's jaunty piano, both of whom are veterans who add extra fuel to the proceedings. Things slow down for the bluesy country of "Getting Nowhere Fast," an acoustic based piece that gives the group a chance to show their chops in a less frenzied setting. The audio and production is clean and crisp, with each instrument sounding warm and defined. It meets contemporary standards but retains the retro feel of Sun studios, a tricky balancing act pulled off with class and style. The album is highly recommended for all rockabilly fans and even those who felt the guitarist's work with Ten Years After or solo was too flashy and pretentious. This is a terrific return to form, arguably Lee's best and certainly most passionate solo album ever, as well as a sizzling performance throughout. Crank it up and get gone. ~ Hal Horowitz
Personnel: Alvin Lee (vocals, guitar); Scotty Moore (guitar); Little Willie Rainsford (piano); Tim Hinkley (Hammond b-3 organ); Pete Pritchard (double bass); D.J. Fontana (drums).
Mojo (Publisher) (p.118) - 3 stars out of 5 - "This is traditional, but full of recorded-in-two-days sharpness and dyed-in-the-decades solid-sending savour."
Alvin's Back Rockin This new cd is great.Alvin's back playing good old time rock n roll.Great songs,lots of great guitar work,and a great studio version of I'm Going Home. Alvin Lee fans should love this. Submitted by sstrobel (Menomonee Falls,WI, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
This is for the Hall Of Fame - Classic What can I say, the best CD of 2004. lvin Lee fulfilling a lifetimne ambition of playing with those "roots", Rockabilly and Rock N Roll guys who backed Elvis in his early work.
All original songs written by Alvin and his most inspired solo work and maybe his most inspired work since Undead with his former backup band.
It is so fresh, so alive with energy, Alvin's singing is the best I ever heard it and so true to the genre, with Alvin not copying, but putting his fingerprint on the genre and taking it to another level.
Put on your dancing shows for this high energy, pure, no gimmick, fun, happy to be alive music. Alvin's playing has reached so many more dimensions since his days of fame (which he hated), around and after Woodstock.
It is so great to hear Alvin playing with great talent, withoout the grave limitations forced on him by being loyal to his former rhythm section in his old band. Alvin is a class act and very loyal, I think too loyal, for too long to his old rhythm section.
Submitted by Jonno Lee (Colorado, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
album of the year Anyone who has not heard of Alvin Lee should listen to this CD.It is in my opinion the best album Alvin has released and this is saying something considering A Space in Time and Cricklewood Green which were classics.This album rocks from start to finish with wonderful guitar playing from the master,and great backing from some fantastic musicians.A hidden treasure. Submitted by graeme.armstrong (edinburgh scotland) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
This is GOOD Music! This is an outstanding record that mixes Chicago with the West Coast and tops it off with some good ole' Rock & Roll. By itself, Alvin's studio take on "I'm Going Home" is worth the price of admission. The other ten tracks are just as entertaining, and the infamous rhythm section proves they can still lay it down with the best in the business. Don't miss this one! Submitted by Mike (Annapolis, MD, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Happy Together After playing the blues for so many years, it is obvious from this CD Alvin is happy again. It shows in his lyrics and shines from his guitar. Drawing directly from his roots, motivated and inspired by his idols produces polished gems that are sure to endure. An album certain to be in play for a long time to come. Submitted by KMC (Marthasville, MO USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Alvin's Back Rockin
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