Customer Reviews

Gagged But Not Bound

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In his follow up to 1987's "Speechless," "Gagged but Not Bound" Albert Lee continues both his wordplay and foray in a mixed bag of instrumental tunes. His considerable talent rises to the top even if the material lags a bit (Schön Rosmarin and Oklahoma Stroke are not the best showcases).

Mr. Lee, one of the finest guitarist on the planet, picks his way around traditional numbers such as the Flowers of Edinburgh, covers such as Don't Let Go (the bank of saxophones really bring this number to life), Tiger Rag, and Forty Miles of Bad Road, and a couple of original tracks, Fun Ranch Boogie and Monte Nido (though on the latter is Mr. Lee sounding a lot like George Winston on solo piano--which is fine). When he cuts loose, it's pretty clear why so many in the know respect Mr. Lee for his finesse and his lightning fast speed.

The sound is crisp, precise, and all business. Just a touch more heart and soul might bring this recording up a notch.

After playing behind everyone from Skeeter Davis to Emmylou Harris, from Joe Cocker to the Everly Brothers, even "Slowhand" himself, Lee continued his solo career in the late '80s with 'Speechless' (1987) and 'Gagged but Not Bound' (1988), both issued by MCA and both critical successes. The master musician plays unworldly guitar on this acoustic/electric country-, rock-, and traditional-oriented masterpiece. Exquisitely recorded. - Jeff Tamarkin, AMG

After playing behind everyone from Skeeter Davis to Emmylou Harris, from Joe Cocker to the Everly Brothers, even "Slowhand" himself, Lee continued his solo career in the late '80s with 'Speechless' (1987) and 'Gagged but Not Bound' (1988), both issued by MCA and both critical successes. The master musician plays unworldly guitar on this acoustic/electric country-, rock-, and traditional-oriented masterpiece. Exquisitely recorded. - Jeff Tamarkin, AMG

1. Flowers Of Edinburgh
(Traditional - Arrangement by Albert Lee)
Albert Lee - Acoustic Guitar

2. Don't Let Go
(J.Stone)
Albert Lee - Guitar
Jim Cox - Piano
Jimmy Johnson - Bass

3. Midnight Special
(Traditional - Arrangement by Jim Cox)
Albert Lee - Guitars, Mandolin
Jim Cox - Harpsichord
Jerry Scheff - Acoustic Bass
Paul Leim - Drums

4. Tiger Rag
(LaRocca, Shields)
Albert Lee - Guitar, Mandolin, Hambone
Jim Cox - Keyboards
Jimmy Johnson - Bass
John Ferraro - Drums

5. Forty Miles of Bad Road
(Al Casey, Duane Eddy)
Albert Lee - Acoustic Guitar
Jim Cox - Harpsichord

6. Fun Raunch Boogie
(Albert Lee, Sterling Ball)
Albert Lee - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Jim Cox - Piano
Jimmy Johnson - Bass
John Ferraro - Drums

7. Walkin' After Midnight
(Don Hecht, Alan Block)
Albert Lee - Guitars
Jim Cox - Piano
Steve Douglas - Tenor Saxophone
Jerry Scheff - Bass
Paul Leim - Drums
Albert & Jim - Rebel Yells

8. Schön Rosmarin
(Kreisler)
Albert Lee - Guitar
Jim Cox - Keyboards, Emulator Bass, Coronaphone

9. Country Gentleman
(Chet Atkins, Boudleaux Bryant)
Albert Lee - Guitars, Mandolin
Sterling "Biff" Ball - Bass
Paul Leim - Drums

10. Monte Nido
(Albert Lee)
Albert Lee - Piano

11. Oklahoma Stroke
(Jim Cox)
Albert Lee - Guitars
Jim Cox - Keyboards, Drum Programming
Pete Christleib, Brandon Fields, Gary Herbig, Joel Peskin - Saxophones