Road Runner

Albert Lee | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 11, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sugarhill
• ASIN: B000ENUKQ2
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,863 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #69 in Music > Rock > Roots Rock

Track Listings

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

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hot Sound, Great songs : wonderful playing/ vocals abound!!!, April 21, 2006

By 

stephen watkins (denver, co United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Road Runner (Audio CD)

From the opening salvos of 'Roadrunner,' to the beautiful harmony vocals of 'Dimming of the Day,'this is a solid effort throughout .Not a weak cut to be found;and, Albert's playing is as fiery, bright, soulful,tasteful and potent as ever!Not just for guitarists, but, fans of solid(at times burning 'Honky Tonk,'at others, mournful & bluesy ), and heartfelt country/rock.Highly Recommended!!!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Lee leans into songs, May 16, 2006

By 

twangmon (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Road Runner (Audio CD)

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. 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. 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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Irresistibly good..., June 4, 2006

By 

nicjaytee (London) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Road Runner (Audio CD)

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. 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... 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.