Audio CD review:
Albert Lee - Road Runner

Albert Lee - Road Runner

Band: Albert Lee Title: Road Runner Rating: Release Date: 11 April, 2006 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: (I'm A) Road Runner 2: I'll Stop Loving You 3: Rock Of Your Love 4: Julie's House 5: Didn't Start Livin' 6: The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress 7: Livin' It Down 8: Working On Love 9: Payola Blues 10: Dimming Of The Day

Customer Reviews Irresistibly good... But if, like me, you're not really into "country" but are intrigued by his long-standing reputation on the UK R&B scene and his stints backing Eric Clapton and Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, then prepare yourself for a hugely pleasant surprise. If you know your country music then you'll know that Albert Lee is one of the finest country guitarists of his generation and the quality of this album will come as no surprise. . . for "Road Runner" will open your eyes to how good country-rock can be. Featuring layers of gorgeous slide, finger-picking & deeply "twangy" lead guitarwork, super-tight backings and excellent, understated vocals the beauty and excitement of country music - so often ruined by crass lyrics and simplistic tunes - shines through the set. Opening with a brilliant interpretation of Junior Walker's Motown classic that's so effective you could almost believe that Holland-Dozier-Holland were actually down-home Nashville boys, it rolls along like a southern steam train culminating in "Payola Blues", a breath-taking seven minute "duelling guitars" work-out that rocks from beginning to end. Country fan or not, the infectious drive, catchy tunes and outstanding musicianship of what's on offer here will irresistibly suck you into it all because, in the end, it's just so good. . Another Great Album by Albert Lee For those of us who play guitar, the tones on this album are gorgeous. What can I say? I have them all and this one is great. Great material, beautiful guitar playing, and the debut of his daughter Alexandra, who has a beautiful voice, singing the last cut, Dimming of the Day. I love Road Runner, Rock of your Love, and Dimming of the Day. They should promote Dimming of the Day as a single along with Road Runner. I'd like to see Albert get a hit on the country charts then he'd get more recognition he deserves and we'd see more of him on TV. Albert has been picking up great the pace and putting out more recently, both with Hogan's Heroes and on his own, than he did in the past and I, for one, am very happy about that. Lee leans into songs Several cuts on Road Runner feature Lee's blazing chops, but he generally downplays his legendary hot picking in favor of melodic solos within songs. When Albert Lee cuts loose with his trademark country licks-clucky lines and spanky double-stops that are often drenched with spiraling synchronized echo-notes spill from his fretboard like sawdust blowing from a chainsaw. There are moments of killer guitar playing-the tail end of "(I'm a) Road Runner" is sheer echo-sonic madness, the instrumental "Payola Blues" is packed with wall-to-wall jamming, and "Didn't Start Livin'" is a honky tonk rave-up-but the album's overall focus is less on fretwork and more on songs and Lee's vocals. He doesn't have the soulful pipes of Delbert McClinton or Travis Tritt, but he can carry a tune, and, as with Eric Johnson or Robben Ford, the serviceable singing is simply part of a package that includes fearsome picking. Pedal-steel giant Buddy Emmons adds beautiful, liquid textures throughout the album (he and Lee trade wicked eights in "Working on Love"), and Steve Fishell guests on bluesy lap steel. . You can see a complete list of all Albert Lee discography, or go back to the Albert Lee tabs