Essential Ten Years After

Ten Years After | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 27, 1991)
• Original Release Date: August 27, 1991
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Chrysalis
• ASIN: B000008LH1
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,730 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

For fans of British blues-rock, this really is essential: 14 of the best from Alvin Lee and his Manchester mates. All four of Ten Years After's U.S. hits are here- I'd Love to Change the World; Baby Won't You Let Me Rock 'n' Roll You; Choo Choo Mama , and Love Like a Man -plus a live version of I'm Going Home and more!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mott's Essential, August 22, 2002

By 

Kim Fletcher (Pattaya, Chonburi Thailand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essential Ten Years After (Audio CD)

"Essential" by "Ten Years After" is something of a rarity as I find it faultless in collecting together on one C.D what is the "Essential" recordings. In other words, a true "Bests Of" Ten Years After.

"Ten Years After" were the classic case of a band with limited talent, but they aimed all their time and effort at what they'd got, and worked their fingers to the bone. They must still hold the record for a major band touring the states completing a total of 28 coast to coast tours. The main object of their talent was fastest guitarist in the west Alvin Lee, who also handled all the vocals, wrote all the songs, and stood center stage leaving the others very much in subordinate roles.

They weren't cute; they definitely weren't trendy. (Alvin Lee used to come on stage wearing that well known Rock `n' Roll footwear, a pair of Dutch clogs.) However, England's "Ten Years After" were one of the most electrifying groups from the late 60's and early seventies. At a time when blues based bands were two a penny, "Ten Years After" towered above the opposition with a sizzling combination of tough rootsy songs both their own compositions and well chosen covers and driving power house ensemble work, highlighted by perhaps the hottest guitar licks in the universe. Just listen to Alvin's guitar breaks on their version of Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen" recorded live at the Isle of Wight Pop Festival as the groups final encore from their album "Watt", and you will never of heard anybody play faster. Mind you, drummer Ric Lee (no relation) sounds as if he is thrashing away at dustbin lids not high hats.

At the time Alvin Lee was the ultimate axe hero. He sprayed searing blues notes from his red Gibson like a crazed machine-gunner mowing down live audiences in their masses, and adding that certain hint of danger that made their studio albums stand out from the crowd.

"Ten Years After" always had the knack of being in the right place at the right time. Their appearance in the movie of the Woodstock Festival is possibly the standout contribution, and when you consider they were lined up against Santana, Hendrix, The Who, and Joe Cocker, that's quite an achievement.

The proof is all here in this action packed set of 14 tracks spanning their entire career, with a couple of live tracks to boot. Their blistering signature tune "I'm Going Home" from Woodstock, all ten glorious minutes of it; American radio station favorites like "I'd Love To Change The World"; "Me And My Baby", which reminds us Lee was a soulful singer not just a devastating Rock `n' Roll outlaw. "Ten Years After" also had one worldwide hit single "Love Like A Man". Here we get the full unedited version. And then of course there is all the no holds barred no nonsense classic foot stomping Rock `n' Roll. From a scorching version of Little Richard's "Goin' Back To Birmingham" to the supersonic boogie of "Choo Choo Mama". (Z.Z. Top took a page or two from Ten Years After book when they laid down their blueprint).

Alvin and the boys could rattle windows, and shake walls with a feverish intensity rarely witnessed since rock's first generation of stars (who were saluted by the bands very name).

Taken as a whole some of "Ten Years After" albums could be a little patchy and none of their studio releases clocked in over 38 minutes. But with "Essential" you get over an hour's worth of them at their very best, which testifies to the timeless appeal of stripped down, high-octane Rock `n' Roll. Slip the C.D in your player, crank the volume, and feel free to boogie one more time.
Mott the Dog.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alvin Lee Guitar Hero, May 10, 2001

By 

J. E FELL "boogaloojef" (Carterville, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essential Ten Years After (Audio CD)

This is a single disc anthology of the Chrysalis recordings of Ten Years After 1970-1974. Ten Years After made their reputations by playing such high profile festivals as Woodstock and Isle of Wight. The band was highlighted by the quick and inventive blues/jazz guitar riffs of Alvin Lee. The interplay between Alvin Lee and organist Chick Churchill was both exciting and fun. Bassist Leo Lyons and drummer Ric Lee were no slouches either. The music is a combination of rock, blues/boogie and jazz. Ten Years After were one of the most inventive British blues/rock bands from this era. Highlights of this disc are many and include a live version of their show stopping "I'm Going Home" (unfortunately not the version from Woodstock). Other highlights include the hits "Love Like A Man" and the anti-war radio favorite "I'd Love To Change The World." This compilation contains most of my favorite tracks from this period. Two of my personal favorites "One Of These Days" and "You Give Me Loving" were omitted however. I wish someone could compile a box set anthology which includes their Chrysalis material and also their earlier excellent Decca material. This is an excellent overview of a great band. Highly recommended to fans of excellent guitar work and British blues/rock. You will probably also want to pick up their first two Decca albums both of which are excellent if you enjoy this anthology.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Always in the Rotation, September 7, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Essential Ten Years After (Audio CD)

This disc rocks. I have more than 2000 CDs in my collection -- from the Beatles to the Dead to Miles Davis to Bob Wills -- and yet the Essential Ten Years After continues to get an unfair share of listening time at home and in my car. Why? The music is outstanding and it's as fresh and rocking today as it was in the early- to mid-1970s. If you already own other TYA CDs, this one captures all their best on one disc. If you don't have any TYA in your music library, you couldn't pick a better place to start. The disc's title says it all.