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newspaper article translated by B.Scholz, Germany |
| (special thanks to my friend DAVE WILLEY, USA, who
encouraged me in my plans to send in this translated article) |
|
Advance notice: |
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Alvin Lee Band |
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During his Germany tour Woodstock legend Alvin Lee pays a visit to "Elfenbein".
Lee, who became Blues history with his legendary band "Ten Years After", also today still ranks among the steadiest and most successful
guitarists of the British Blues. Also his solo projects have been and are crowned with success.
Together with Steve Gould on bass and Alvin Shane on drums he succeeds to carry
the audience away in no time and to
perform an unforgettable event.
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| extracts from the local press "Neue Westfälische",
Bielefeld, Germany
published April 12/13, 2001 |
| HEADLINE: |
| Up (upon stage), down (from stage), and away - Alvin Lee Band at high speed |
| In order to tell it to skeptics directly: He still can do. |
| Alvin Lee unlearned nothing of his stupendous skill to play the guitar. At "Elfenbein" concert hall 56 years old Lee did a great gig!
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| The life left its tracks in his face, but his voice lost nothing from its juvenile urge.
Together with his companions Steve Gould on bass and Alvin Shane on drums he plays Blues, Boogie and Rock'n'Roll.
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| The amplifying equipment work full pressure and Lee plays his guitar with speedy fingers.
After "Long Legs", the first more well-known song, he inflames the audience at the "Elfenbein" which is filled to bursting.
"Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" is catchy and sets your foot tapping. |
| Now at the latest the audience get again their collective past.
Typical syncopations, triples swift as an arrow, split-second alternation of two tones:
Here we are again - the typical sound of Ten Years After.
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| He uses the mike stand as slide bar and blows his Blues Harp briefly. Steve Gould plays slap-bass with technical perfection,
occasionally sounds two-part.
With "Love Like A Man" - Lee's well-known song, the speedy travel continues.
A single blunder is no problem for a crafty professional like Alvin Lee. After a vital and ripe drum solo - the Highlight: "I'm Going Home" -
the perfect and best song from Woodstock Era delights the audience.
A terrific and fast medley between "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Great Balls Of Fire". |
| ALVIN LEE BAND AT HIGH SPEED |
| Lee reveals at the latest here his still immense speed, which however never comes to self purpose.
Such a thing like an encore (is to occur with Mr. Lee very rarely) is then "Choo Choo Mama".
With a reminiscence at Woodstock and guitarist Jimi Hendrix the trio ends with chords from "Star Spangled Banner". |
| After 80 minutes the journey with Alvin Lee's guitar-time-machine is over.
Other guitar-wizards would probably have used two hours. |
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