Repertoire (Release date: 27.08.12)
For most people, Alvin Lee conjures up an image of a battered Gibson ES-335 with a peace sticker and lightning fast licks as he wowed the Woodstock crowd in 1969. That gig, and subsequently immortalised in the film, catapulted Lee into rock consciousness and he managed to sustain his career with Ten Years After in the seventies until they split in 1974.
Since that time he has released several solo albums and always demonstrated his musical prowess, albeit sometimes patchily, but has also – by choice – pursued a fairly low key existence.
The latest offering is almost an update of his critically acclaimed seventies album ‘The Road To Freedom’ (and mimics that album’s cover albeit without Mylon Lefevre) and was whittled down from 33 tracks. It seems Lee had no preconceptions about making this album and let the selected tracks form their own identity.
But it’s the sheer diversity that may put many casual listeners off, with its mixture of acoustic rock (‘Walk On, Walk Tall’, ‘Song Of The Red Rock Mountain’), blues rock (title track, ‘Midnight Creeper’, ‘Save My Stuff’, ‘Blues Got Me So Bad’, ‘Nice & Easy’ and ‘Rock You’) and rockabilly (‘I’m A Lucky Man’, ‘Back In ’69′, ‘Down Line In Rock’).
Whilst it could be argued that it distils many of Lee’s influences – and has always been a feature of his solo offerings including the last one ‘Saguitar’ – it is a giant leap from the mostly straight-ahead blues-rock he peddled with Ten Years After.
It will of course appeal to the hardcore fans brought up on his flashy widdle-diddle in the sixties who have kept the faith but there are no real surprises. And whilst Lee has this time sensibly enlisted the support of such luminaries as Tim Hinkley, the inclusion of ‘Love Like A Man 2′ seems a little lazy to me, although now in a more raunchy time-signature. Watch out, too, for the “hidden” acoustic coda.
This year, Alvin celebrates 50 years as a professional musician and it is good to hear a new album after some five years. Interestingly it may go some way to repositioning this legendary performer. However any reappraisal exposes the lack of a complete discography on the web, even on his official site. Hopefully there will now be an incentive to at least put that right.
***
Review by David Randall
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Check out radio stream repeat on Tuesday 8th (16:00 GMT) and Thursday 10th April (21:00 GMT)
Next Session: Sunday 4 May
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 2 March 2025.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 4 March 2025
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 7 April 2025
SEVEN BLOOD To The Unknown (indie)
FROM FALL TO SPRING Incomplete (Arising Empire)
POP EVIL Side Effects (MNRK Heavy)
ERJA LYYTINEN Abyss (Tuohi Records)
SKY VALLEY MISTRESS Too Many Ghosts (New Heavy Sounds)
Featured Albums w/c 7 April 2025
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.
If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:
If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device
(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
