The rock world lost a legendary figure on March 6, 2013 when iconic guitarist Alvin Lee passed away unexpectedly from complications after a routine surgery. Just 68 years old, the founding member of Ten Years After will always be remembered for his fleet fingered blues rock guitar licks and his memorable performance at the Woodstock Festival in 1969. Though Lee and Ten Years After eventually parted company, both he and the band continued on, each playing all those classic songs to packed audiences worldwide. The Last Show documents Lee's last ever live performance, recorded in Holland on May 28, 2012, and he showed that night, 43 years after Woodstock, that he still could bring the goods.
Though obviously approaching 70, the guitarist was perhaps not the superhuman speedster that he was at Woodstock, but throughout The Last Show he still can rip out those nasty blues rock licks like a man half his age. This isn't a perfect show by any means, so expect some bum notes, warts and all, but the energy, passion, and emotion is definitely there. Plenty of rootsy, hard rocking blues to be found on tracks like "How Do You Do It", "Slow Blues in 'C' ", and the lengthy "I'm Writing You a Letter", but of course it's those classic TYA songs "I Woke Up This Morning", "Love Like a Man", "I Can't Keep From Crying Sometimes", and "Going Home" that everyone is waiting for. Lee's guitar solos can still send shivers, and his vocals also have held up quite well over the years.
With a solid rhythm section of bassist Pete Pritchard and drummer Richard Newman, the trio delivered a strong set of Lee originals and Ten Years After classics. Had the guitarist not passed away this year, no doubt he would have been happily playing to appreciative audiences for many years to come. RIP Alvin, we miss ya!
Track Listing
1) Hear Me Calling
2) I Can't Keep From Crying Sometimes
3) How Do You Do It
4) My Baby Left Me
5) Country Thing
6) I Don't Give a Damn
7) I'm Writing You a Letter
8) Slow Blues in 'C'
9) I'm Gonna Make It
10) Scat Encounter
11) I Woke Up This Morning
12) Love Like a Man
13) Going Home
14) Rip It Up
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