Customer Reviews

Essential Ten Years After

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"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.

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.

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.

One of the reasons I bought this was after reading a review on Amazon, someone wrote that the live version of "I'm Going Home" was from Woodstock. It is not. Just like Big Brother's live version of "Ball and Chain" from Monterey, it is impossible to re-capture a signature live performance. The Woodstock version of "I'm, Going Home" is not matched here.

This is the definitive anthology of Ten Years After. Granted, there are a few not-so-great songs on this one, but its great ones overpower them. What you thus have is a terrific slice of the late 60s/early 70s English sound. This is one of the roots of both metal AND fusion.

One of the most incredible bands of the late 60's and early 70's. This album is a must for anyone who digs real rock. If you want a taste of this band, buy this cd. You won't be disappointed. Warning!! Be prepared to want more!!!

Most people know Ten Tears After from the song "I'd love to change the world" which, although a fantastic song that stands up on its own, isn't exactly typical of what the band really excelled at---Blues-Rock. The "Essential Ten years after" collection does a great job revealing the fundamental sound that made this band great. If you aren't an Alvin Lee fan, this album (cd!)will probably make you one.

TYA is a bit like Rodney Dangerfield, they never really got a lot of respect. They came along at a time when they were eclipsed by big names like, Zepplin, Clapton, Deep Purple, etc. If you accept them for what they were, a British boogie/blues quartet from northern England, I think they fare very well with their better known mates.

There is nothing fancy or pretentious about the songs. Musically, they are as tight a band as there was during that era. A few people are aware that Alvin Lee was one of the best guitarists playing in the 70's, however, Leo's bass, Chick's organ and Ric's drums were all very solid. They could flat out jam! Alvin's solo's can tend to be a bit one demensional at times but if you are a guitar affecionato, he can send goose bumps up your spine. IMO, he was everybit the equal of Page and Clapton in pure technique (no one was in Hendrix's league but that's another story).

This Best Of CD captures the essance of TYA's body of work. Crank up the CD player and pop open your favorite beverage. Ten Years After still rocks in a major way Thirty Years After.

MV Ferraro

I've been a fan of Alvin Lee since I saw him play on the movie about the Woodstock Music Festival. This CD has all of his best songs from the 1960s and 1970s. His dexterity with the guitar is dynamic and the rhythm of his music is so upbeat I enjoy hearing it over and over again.

Essential CD has all the songs that has made Ten Years After famous from Woodstock and other songs that one will want to continue to listen to for years.

I am so happy I was able to buy a high quality CD of this timeless classic.
Rock on...
Parese