Yes, there are guitar player with more fiendish chops and can do wilder electronic wizardry with the pedals to make sounds that hit the ozone layer. But, as he displayed with his band at Bogie’s on Sunday night, the reason Albert Lee is still one of the reigning champs of the guitar is that the Clapton and Everly Brother alumnus is the one of the last remaining six stringers that has the swing pulse running through his fingers on every song and solo, creating music for its original intent, dancing (or at least giving a good toe tap!).
With his team of JT Thomas/key, Will MacGregor/b and Herman Matthews/dr, Lee swung like the man on the flying trapeze with upbeat and irresistible pieces such as “I’m Ready” and “Two Step.” His rich, flexible and sorghum sweet voice is perfectly suited for vintage Nashville sounds like Graham Parson’s earnest “Wheels” or the rockabilly beauty “Luxury Liner.” His delivery was as earnest as a night at the Moose Lodge as Thomas added moody support on the folk ballad “Evangelina” while the rhythm team provided a gracious waltzing lilt for Lee’s Cumberland Gapped voice on “Song for the Life.”
As far as his instrumentation went, Lee played his guitar like a-ringin’ a bell as he teamed up with Thomas’ double fisted solo on Buddy Holly’s “Rock Around with Ollie Vee” while his hands danced over the strings with style, class and taste on the laid back groover “Spellbound” and his strings slithered to the rollicking gospel of Ray Charles’ “Leave My Woman Alone.” The evening’s closing title tune summed up Lee’s attitude toward his melodic, accessible yet full energized approach to guitar playing with a rousing take of “Tear it Up.” Music of this style rarely sounds this fresh and inspiring, and all we can hope for is that someone out there in the audience ready to take Mr. Lee’s baton in a track field that needs more marathon men like him.
On a side note; this was my first night at Bogie’s, and the sound was unbelievably clear without being overpowering. This place is a perfect haven for fans who want their music delivered without disturbing noises and sound system distortions, with every seat a great spot for taking in the vibes.
Upcoming shows at Bogie’s Bar include Robbie Duprie 07/12, Gary Stockdale 07/15, David Garfield 07/19, John Pratt 07/22 and Jack Mack 07/26