Extraordinary blues/rock guitarist Alvin Lee had already
begun pursuing his solo career in earnest by the time he returned for the 28th
and final U.S. tour of the original Ten Years After. Upon completion of the
1975 tour, TYA would split up and not return until a reunion was staged in
1989.
Although a cult fave, the band burst onto the world music scene after it
appeared in the documentary film, Woodstock, one of whose highlights was the
performance of "I'm Goin' Home" by Lee and the band. This show,
recorded at Bill Graham's Winterland ballroom, opens with a rockin' (but
incomplete) version of the band's radio hit, "Rock & Roll Music To The
World." They follow it with one their classics, "Love Like A
Man." Muddy Water's "Good Morning Little School Girl," is next,
and leads to long and tasty Slow Blues.
A 20-minute version of "I Can't Keep From Crying Sometimes" is
followed by a 12- minute but incomplete "I'm Going Home." After a
souped-up version of Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen," Lee and
the band close with two of their own hits: "Choo Choo Mama" and
"Baby, Won't You Let Me Rock 'n' Roll You."
One of the biggest blues/rock acts on the planet between 1969 and 1974, Ten
Years After could attribute their far reaching success to two things: Promoter
Bill Graham and their appearance in the landmark music documentary Woodstock.
Graham was among the earliest U.S. promoters to book the band, and he made them
a staple act at both the Fillmore East and West, and of course,
Winterland.
By the time this show was recorded. TYA had become primarily a vehicle for
Alvin Lee's blistering guitar work, its songs comprised of equal parts rock,
blues, and jazz. In 1972, the band would leave Decca Records (the label that
signed them in 1967), and move to Columbia's corporate home. Columbia would take
the band in a more radio friendly/pop driven direction (hence, the hit single
"I'd Love To Change The World"). Frustrated with the popular music
trend, Alvin Lee left the band, which disbanded soon after the second Columbia
release in 1975.
The original lineup made one reunion LP and did one more tour in 1988/89 before
disbanding again. In 2003, Ric Lee assembled the group again, although Alvin
would not participate. He was replaced by guitarist Joe Gooch, and the band is
still recording and touring today.
Extraordinarul chitarist de blues/rock Alvin Lee, a carui
cariera solo era in crestere la acel moment, revine la al 28-lea si ultimul
turneu american cu formula originala de la Ten Years After. Dupa incheierea
acestui turneu TYA se vor desparti si se vor mai reuni doar in 1989.
Desi erau un cult favorit, trupa a explodat pe scena muzicii mondiale dupa
documentarul Woodstock, unde varful de interpretare pentru Lee si trupa a fost “I’m
Going Home”. Concertul de fata, inregistrat la Sala de bal Winterland a lui
Bill Graham, se deschide cu versiunea rock incomplete a radio hitului trupei "Rock
& Roll Music To The World." Urmeaza apoi unul dintre clasicele lor "Love
Like A Man." "Good Morning Little School Girl" a lui Muddy
Waters este urmatoarea si conduce catre lungul si gustosul Slow Blues.
O versiune de 20 de minute a "I Can't Keep From Crying Sometimes"
este urmata de una incomplete de 12 minute de la “I’m Going Home”. Dupa o
versiune plina a "Sweet Little Sixteen" de la Chuck Berry, Lee si
trupa incheie cu doua dintre hiturile lor "Choo Choo Mama" si
"Baby, Won't You Let Me Rock 'n' Roll You."
Avand unele dintre cele mai bune actiuni in lume in blues/rock in perioada 1969-1974,
Ten Years After au obtinut succesul datorita a doua lucruri: promoterul Bill
Graham si aparitia in documentarul Woodstock, un reper in muzica rock. Graham a
fost printre primii promoteri care au rezervat trupa si care a facut-o sa fir
de baza in manifestatiile de la Filmore East si West si, bineinteles,
Winterland.
La vremea cand acest spectacol a fost inregistrat, trupa devenise un vehicul
pentru creatia inflacarata la chitara a lui Alvin Lee, cantecele trupei fiind
compuse din parti egale de rock, blues si jazz. In 1972 trupa paraseste Decca
Records (compania semnase cu ei in 1967) si se muta la corporatia de acasa
Columbia. Aceasta va directiona trupa intr-o directive radio mai prietenoasa de
pop ( de aici si hitul “I’d Love to Change the World”). Nemultumit cu trendul
de muzica populara, Alvin Lee paraseste trupa, care se va destrama curand dupa
a doua lansare de la Columbia din 1975.
Componenta originala a trupei a mai scos un LP de reunire si un turneu in
1988/1989 inainte de a se destrama din nou. In 2003 Ric Lee a reunit iar trupa,
dar fara Alvin Lee. El a fost inlocuit de chitaristul Joe Gooch si trupa inca
inregistreaza si face turnee.
List of tracks
0:00:00 - Rock 'n' Roll Music to the World (Incomplete)
0:02:58 - Love Like A Man
0:08:34 - Good Morning Little School Girl
0:16:37 - Slow Blues In 'C'
0:23:24 - Hobbit
0:29:33 - One Of These Days
0:38:56 - I Can't Keep From Crying
0:59:14 - I'm Going Home / Medley
1:12:25 - Sweet Little Sixteen
1:17:40 - Choo Choo Mama
1:22:54 - Baby, Won't You Let Me Rock 'n' Roll You
Personnel
Alvin Lee - lead vocals, guitar
Chick Churchill - organ
Leo Lyons - bass
Ric Lee - drums
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