Customer Reviews

Saguitar

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a stellar collection from a matured and brilliant guitar player. 14 new songs showcase Lee's strengths in multiple genres - blues, rockabilly, even a rousing interpretation of "rap", but all have the common thread of Lee's emotive mastery of the guitar. There are several standouts here, including the thoughtful and melodic The Squeeze; the melancholic Motel Blues that is heart wrenching in its deeply personal delivery, and the Texas driven Rocking Rendezvous (which also features an incredible vocal performance). Lee also nails it with The Rapper, a daring and forceful song with great drum rhythms and soaring guitar. Filled with understated and elegant performances, this album may not please those listeners stuck in 1969 and unable to absorb and delight in a tastier and more controlled Alvin Lee, but it will be their loss. Saguitar is a proud progression of an exceptional talent.

This is a rather eclectic mix of songs from Alvin Lee as it includes an assortment of Rockabilly, Memphis, "Midnight Blues" and more (even Rap). It sounds as though some were leftover material from past projects, resuscitated here on "Saguitar". The mood changes frequently from track to track. But no matter, taken individually this is a fine collection of songs with Alvin's voice and guitar playing in great form throughout. There is a lot of stuff here and it sounds better with each listen!

And here it is the brand new Alvin Lee CD Saguitar,from the legendary frontman who was the reason why the now from-departed Ten Years After became so very famous and successful,Alvin Lee with his breathtaking guitar play and signature song writing talents, wich made him an icon in the eyes of many guitarist all over the world ,who look up to him as a guitar school example and "cover" his written famous classic rock songs, like Love Like A Man,Hear Me Calling,Im Going Home etc etc etc.
Now over to the New Alvin Lee CD Saguitar.
On the artwork cover picture . the legendary "Big Red " Gibson Es 335 guitar wich has been with the maistro since the beginning of his carreer.
His "warm" new!! mixed and mastered collection of fresh cristalclear sounded songs ,goes from the blues into Rockabilly ,Memphis,Rap and drivin Rock,wrappes arround you like a blancket,wich does not distords even if you turn up the volume very loud,ready for your rockin dancing shoes.
Alvin Lee decided to produce and record this brillant masterpiece alone, by playing during those long hardworking hours in his own studio serroundings, all the instruments ( guitars.Basses,drums etc) impressively by himself,alowing onley a few guest musicians like Tim Hinkey (keyboards),Trevor Morais,and Eugen Fritz (harmonica),to participate on a few tracks.
The opener Anytime U Want Me sets the standard with the great Rockabilly/Rock inspirated riff song, including Alvin`s welknown signature guitarplay wich is spinning the song together like a RockSpider in his web with his very strong and clear vocals, and easy to understand lyrics.
From the "heartbreaking" sad quitting-the-music great blues song Motel Blues ,to the happy in the dancing mood musician again who is ready and wants to go on playing his music,on It`s Time To Play.
Alvin is not Alvin if does not have some messages to tell us on the album like on the slow but powerfull floating The Squeeze with beautiful guitarsolo`s and the Southern inspirated "slide" acoustic ( on the background Eugene Fritz on second harmonica) Smoking Rope, warning the listener about the danger of gambling drugs,and alcohol abuse on those brilliant songs.
Close your eyes,put your earphones on ,lay back and listen while you dream away during this wonderfull Blues Has Got A Hold On Me with Alvins floating guitarplay combined with Tim Hinkleys on the organ .A real balm for one`s soul.
And wow!! do we hear Alvin play the soul-inspirated-trompet on It`s All Good.
Naturaly one wil also find Alvin lee`s "drivin" guitar sound solo`s on songs like; Onley Here For The Ride,Got A Lot Of Living To Do,Education,were one can sit imagionary in the car and hear those songs take you for a rockinguitar- drivin spin .
And the "time maschine" song; Memphis wich sound like the 50ties ,hearing Alvin laying down the the double bass and the bruches drums rithmm as a base for his accoustic guitar solos and strong clear vocals.
Wich takes us to an imagionary dark strobo-scope-lamp. loud dancing place were they play loudly Rapper and hearing Alvin singing in his very recognisable Nottingham accent, this suprisingly, weldone danceable rap song in a funny "ironic" i told you so fasion. (note).. On other musicians rap songs one can hardly understand what the songs are about.
The great texas drivin Rocking Rendezvous closes this 14 tracks brilliant album,full of different exiting style songs ,wich one can hear easely over and over and over and over again
Bravo ,hatts off, and thank you for this genius music melting pot masterpiece Alvin Lee.
Pieter Kentrop.

This is not a continuation of 10 years after. If you like Alvin Lee you should like this easy listening album. It is up beat and well made

This is a strong 4 stars. The only song I don't like is the first track. You get absolutely stellar guitar work from Mr. Lee. You get some good rock songs, a rockabilly tune, a rapp song, and 4 or 5 great blues songs. In other words a nice variation. If you like blues heavy rock this is a very enjoyable listening experience. Good songwriting, excellent lead guitar with some impressive jams on the rock tunes, a very successful and creative rapp tune, and some real blues gems. Nice work Mr. Lee.

I am amazed...no, make that DISMAYED by the vitriol spewing from lamedicks who would denigrate this fine offering from an even finer guitarist, because they dont like, especially, the song "Rapper".

Personally, I detest Rap, and the poisoning of our culture by the so-called "Hip Hop Lifestyle"; but those who would slam this disc because of "Rapper" are blind guides leading the blind. They lament the "diminished?" rock-ability of Mr. Lee, when they need to clean out their ears and listen to that guitar! On Rapper, it's SMOKIN', clearly on a par with anything he's ever produced, in my not-so-humble opinion.

This album rewards repeated listening. Currently, I'm spinning Saguitar, while cruising one bourbon, no scotch, no beer, and no rope; it sounds better than ever.

I first happened to listen to this about 4 years back. I was then encouraged to look up some Ten Years After online. Unfortunately, the music there sounded far too much like slow-paced rootsy blues-rock, not to mention it was kind of it's time(exception being "I'd Love to Change the World") If Saguitar is any indication however, Lee's solo career represents something certainly similar to TYA, but blending in lots of other styles to make something that feels far more energetic.

As other reviewers have stated, this is largely a mix of rock, blues, blues-rock, and rockabilly. "Anytime you Want Me" makes a great rockabilly opener and "It's All Good" will make you think it's all good. The keyboards might add nonessential flavor, but totally understandable if you lived in the 70s.
So Lee's lyrics (in a similar manner to the godawful beyond repetitive 2004 album Alvin Lee in Tennessee) undoubtedly kinda suck, The old blues cliche of repeating each verse at least twice. "Rapper's" an entirely different story however. Lee plays the guitar to a funk-rock type rhythm, all while rapping some surprisingly clever lyrics that are probably either about some self-obsessed celebrity or (more likely)an ex. I actually think he's probably poking fun at rap with this little gem. Though I'll s

In the end, I just can't believe Lee would put out something so energetic and so rocking when what I've heard of contemporaries(Gary Moore and Joe Cocker come to mind)suggests they don't mind slowed-down(and consequently somewhat boring) kind of rock prefer to take it easy. This is something entirely different. Hail this old guitar master!

Alvin Lee. Ten Years After lambasted Woodstock with I'm Goin' Home. Who knew that 800 years later he'd come out with a Rockin' Record?! The world has pretty much moved on past all that 1969 silliness, but the music obviously hasn't. This is primal, basic stuff. That's why ten million people still play this music. He's got those riffs-a-rollin' true. Still fast and clean. Amazing tone. Deep blues playing. On that big Gibson he's all agility. Voice recognizable, though not improved, and lyrics simple. Core being still being core after all this time. Impressive. Only Here For the Ride is one of my favorites. Education has an extended Alvin Lee brand burning. Rapper might be atypical, but the guitar is there. Smoking Rope, well...I play this thing lots more than people should be listening to Alvin Lee, but it makes my Old Guy veins bubble. And I like to remind myself how uncomplicated I am. There's no Woodchopper's Ball here, but you might need to remind yourself what an awesome player he is.

I had the chance to see Alvin with TYA a number of years ago after watching him on the big screen in the Woodstock Documentary. He is has been and still is one of the great rock and roll guitar players of all time. On Saguitar, he shines both playing and singing with his signature sound, This is a quality CD offering and should be picked up by all his fans and fans of rock and roll. Every song will grab you and bring back those good time feelings. Thanks Alvin for this release- You have a loyal fan base in Colorado who would love to see you come out this way. Keep on Rockin'

No this is not a blazing hot guitar licks record like the works of Alvin Lee and Ten Years After, but it is a very fine blues/rock record. I highly recommend this to all Alvin Lee fans and everybody that digs straight up blues/rock. No filler at all on this record, every track is great. Nice to know artist's like Alvin, that have been writing, singing,and playing for decades can still get the job done.