Alvin Lee & Ten Years Later - Rocket Fuel (1978)

(U.K 1960 - 2013)
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Between 1967 and 1975, Ten Years After carved themselves a unique niche in rock history as the missing link between the blues-based power of mid-Sixties rock and the musical adventure of the burgeoning progressive movement. And the man who fronted them with fleet-fingered aplomb was vocalist and guitarist extraordinaire Alvin Lee.

The Years After went their separate ways in 1975, following a farewell US tour, and while all four members remained active in the music industry, it was naturally Alvin Lee, whose progress was followed with the greatest interest.  Yet, having 'been there, done that' and proved his abilities as an incendiary axeman, Lee was not about to clone past successes as a solo artist. He sought other musical byways to explore, resulting in a career under his own name that was as electric as TYA's had been single-minded.

Inevitably, this meant selling fewer records, but resulted in far more self satisfaction. And when he opened Space Studios at Hook End manor, his home in rural Bershire, he had the time and space to do exactly what he wanted. After all, he  had more than earned that right. Fans of his former persona were won round by the excellence of the music, rather than retreading former glories - and if a few fell by the wayside, he attracted the attention of many others.

Alvin had cut his first solo album while still in the band. 'On The Road To Freedom' (1973) was a joint effort with American singer Mylon LeFevre, the title track giving a flavour of the gospel-infected project.

He then formed Alvin Lee & Co and recorded 'In Flight' live at the Rainbow Theatre in London. 'It was a seven-piece band with the vocal group Kokomo, drummer Ian Wallace, keyboardist Tim Hinkley and saxophonist Mel Collins. "That was a great bad and that was me getting away from the heavy-rock flash kind of thing. I actually became a bit over-aware of the criticisms people were saying 'Oh. Alvin Le, he's all haste and no taste', things like that, and I wanted to show those people I could play other stuff. Perhaps I shouldn't have taken things that seriously...."

Various members of the band continued with Lee for his next two albums 'Pump Iron' and 'Let It Rock'. The latter was less muscular and brash than its predecessor as he tried another route to escape his 'guitar hero' reputation.

Alvin Plays The Rainbow

Alvin's two subsequent outfits enjoyed a longer life than '& Co'. First up was Ten Years Later, formed in 1978 and comprising Mick Hawsworth (bass) and Tom Compton (drums). Hawksworth's fretless bass proved an effective counterpoint to Lee's guitar on 'Rocket Fuel' and 'Ride On'. (see previous post) .
"I like the three-piece format, Alvin admits. 'It keeps me busy and keeps me honest". The album 'Ride On' mixed studio and live cuts while Rocket Fuel was purely studio takes and is featured in this post.  It is one of Alvin's first solo projects I'd heard after loosing contact with him when Ten Years After dissolved.  Hearing and liking what I heard, I promptly sort out his earlier solo material to play catchup.  I was literally refuelled again 10 years later!

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This post consists of FLACs ripped from cassette tape. Although not my ideal medium, this tape is in good condition and it's all that I've got. I have never been able to source the vinyl, so the hunt still continues! Full album artwork for CD and Vinyl is included along with label scans.  

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Tracklist

01 Rocket Fuel 3:18

02 Gonna Turn You On 4:59

03 Friday The 13th 4:56

04 Somebody Callin' Me 5:54

05 Ain't Nothin' Shakin' 5:02

06 Alvin's Blue Thing 0:27

07 Baby Don't You Cry 3:15

08 The Devil's Screaming 9:44

Alvin Lee (Guitars & Vocals)

Mick Hawsworth (Bass & Vocals)

Tom Crompton (Drums)

Alvin Lee Link (232Mb) New Link 13/10/2023

Happy 10th Birthday: Alvin Lee & Ten Years Later - Ride On (1979)

(U.K  1960 - 2013)
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Well Folks, it looks like this blog has survived another 5 years and celebrates it's 10th Anniversary today.  A lot of water has flowed under the bridge during this time (843 posts, 1000 comments, over 2.1 million web page hits and 318 blog followers to be exact).
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I must say, maintaining this blog has been a Labor of love and sometimes it's been difficult to keep the posts coming, especially when it comes to the research behind the albums and the artists.  Nevertheless, it is my intention to keep blogging away as I've still got a ton of albums to bring to the table and the passion to share these with you is still there.  Of course, the occasional comment of appreciation is always welcome, as are suggestions on what to post, so please keep them coming.

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To help celebrate this auspicious occasion, I have decided to share Alvin Lee's post mortem 'Ten Year After' release (under the name of Alvin Lee & Ten Years Later) entitled 'Ride On'.  This post is somewhat symbolic at this time - Ten Years Later with the intention to keep Riding On.
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Alvin Lee
Born 19 December 1944, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom;
Died 6 March 2013, Marbella, Andalucia, Spain;
Member of The Jaybirds, Ten Years After, Alvin Lee & Ten Years Later;
Also Known As Graham Alvin Barnes, Graham Anthony Barnes.

In 1979, Alvin Lee with a powerhouse trio he called "Ten Years Later" released their debut album "Ride On".

The first 5 tracks are recorded live with no overdubs. "Ain't Nothin' Shakin'" is a real non-stop rocking workout, the cover version of "Hey Joe" is almost better than what Jimi Hendrix himself did with it as Alvin sets that song on overdrive, and "Going Home" you just can't miss and it comes off with flying colors again.
Tracks 5 - 9 were recorded in the studio. The songs are good as are the lyrics, and Lee's guitar work is brilliant.
"Ride On Cowboy" was released as a single, with "Can't Sleep At Nite" on the RSO release flip side, while the Polydor featured "Sittin' Here" instead.

This post consists of MP3's (320kps) ripped from CD and includes full artwork for both CD and Vinyl formats.
Note that the Live and Studio tracks are reversed on the Vinyl format (Side 1 - Studio / Side 2 - Live)

Tracks:
(All tracks written by Alvin Lee, except where noted)
Live:
01.  Ain't Nothin' Shakin' - 5:32

02.  Scat Encounter - 0:58
03.  Hey Joe (William M. Roberts) - 5:59
04.  Going Home - 8:44
Studio:
05.  Too Much - 3:50
06.  It's A Gaz - 4:01
07.  Ride On Cowboy - 3:11
08.  Sittin' Here - 3:58
09.  Can't Sleep At Nite - 2:30

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Ten Years Later:

- Alvin Lee - guitar, vocals, co-producer

- Mick Hawksworth - bass

- Tom Compton - drums

Alvin Lee's Ten Years Later Link (123Mb) New Link 17/11/2024