Even before Albert Lee plugged in his famed Telecaster and delivered a steaming night of Western Swing, the atmosphere in the famed Baked Potato was electrifying. Everyone in attendance , from the mask-free audience to owner Justin serving the bar and his wife Pamela joyfully serving the tables, was glad to get out, get in and get some good live music for the first time in over a year.
Even Lee acknowledged the pleasure of playing before people unsocially distant apart again, “This is only our second gig this year, and we’re glad to be here”.
Lee even set the tone of the night with the aptly titled “I’m Ready” and mixed vintage two stepping stompers, boogieing swing, ballads and honky tonkin’ blues to remind the crowd that music was made to get you on your feet.
For a gent born in England, Lee has sure learned to surf a wave, as his patented picking solos rode the crest of the relentless shuffling beat supplied by drummer Jason Smith and bassist David Chamberlain on Moose Lodge specials like “Two Step Too”, “Restless” and the fun filled “Body Down”. Lee showed why there’s a reason a guitar is nicknamed an “ax”, as he dug in deep and rode the whitewater pulse of the rhythm team on the steam engine drive of “Luxury Liner” while also flying over JT Thomas’ honky tonkin’ salooned keyboards on “Wheels”. Thomas provided full fisted support on his percussive solo as Lee’s guitar chugalugged along with the slithering support of Chamberlain and Smith on a slinky take of “Spellbound”.
While known for his guitar work with the likes of Eric Clapton and Emmylou Harris, Lee’s underappreciated talent of singing was well on display as well. He learned his lessons well from his time with The Everly Brothers, creating with his teammates gorgeous harmonies on ”No One Can Make My Sun Shine” and the lovely and lonely “Evangelina”. Going to his piano, his solo voice was personal and poignant on “Highway Man” and tender with accordion support by Thomas on the bohemian ballad “Gain Control”.
By the end of the celebrative 75 minute set, Lee and company closed as they opened, with a song title that summed up the evening, entitled “Tear It Up”.
Upcoming shows at the full capacity Baked Potato include Groove Legacy 07/01, Bob Reynolds 07/08, Billy Childs’ Electric Band 07/09-10 and Mike Keneally & Beer For Dolphins 07/16-17