Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes, The Tower Lounge, Blackpool - 29 June 2008

Blackpool, The Tower Lounge
From: Gudrun
Driving from Middleton-in-Teesdale towards Blackpool through a nice landscape which I liked from the first moment. Narrow roads, hedgerows, stone walls and lots of sheep and best of all - no crowds ! Weather was dull so I stopped to buy some postcards instead of taking photos. Think I have to buy another shelf for the stacks of postcards I brought from all my trips. Finally arrived in windy Blackpool, my first visit there.The cost road looked like a carnival with all kinds of amusement shops, I wasn't sure if I liked it - it was totally different from what I call a proper seafront.

Band:
Albert Lee, git, voc, key
Gerry Hogan, steel guitar, git
Peter Baron, drums, voc
Brian Hodgson, bass, backgr voc
Elio Pace, key, voc

Just a few words about the gig: The band were fantastic as always but the hilarious party at Mickleton R&B the night before could not be topped. The audience in Blackpool consisted mainly of males, many of them musicians, who were watching Albert's flying fingers and hardly moved. Sarah and I had interesting chats with some of them. Standing ovations at the end but both of us thought we had seen better HHs gigs before ... My favourite this time was definitely the TIGER RAG which was done in raving speed.

We enjoyed the great music and a couple of JDs as our hotel was in walking distance. Mixed feelings as this was my last Hogans gig for a while and I had to fly home next day. Nice chats later and bye-bye to everybody including Sue, Trevor and Jim, and then off to the hotel to get some sleep after picking up some food on the way. Hogan's Heroes played three more gigs that week and then took a break while Albert will be touring with Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings in July and August. Can't wait for those ...



Set List / probably not quite complete and not always in the right order.
Restless
Two Step Too
Tiger Rag
I'll never get over you
Why me
Breathless
Barnyard Boogie
Rad Gumbo  
Crying in the Rain
Can your grandpa rock'n roll like this 
Leave my woman alone
Till I gain control again  
Country Boy

Encore:
Don't
Hound Dog
Tear it up

Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes, Mickleton R&B Club - 28 June 2008

Wow, the bands name was misspelled on the blackboard ...
but who cares? Mickleton is always a big party!

Band:
Albert Lee, git, voc, key
Gerry Hogan, steel guitar, git
Peter Baron, drums, voc
Brian Hodgson, bass, backgr voc
Elio Pace, key, acc, voc


Left: The band took a break - and we took a photo. From l to r: Mel, Beryl, me, Libby, Marion. Thanks to Libby for letting me have this photo - us in front of the stage, having drinks and fun!

As to the Mickleton gig last Saturday, there's nothing much to add to Beryl's and Libby's notes on Guru Tribe, it was FAB FAB FAB .....
The band were in top form, from the beginning there were cheers and applause after every solo for each band member, a very responsive and grateful audience, we had a ball dancing to the great tunes and were rewarded by an extra encore that isn't normally on the set list BACK IN THE USA written by ole' Chuck Berry. I love this song, haven't heard it live for ages and was happy they did it. As I noticed, the songs from the new album were very well received, my favourite that night was RAD GUMBO.

It was so nice to meet up with Beryl and the Darlington gang! So much fun - to quote Beryl : "it turned into an unforgettable Albert Lee party". It was the band's 2nd appearance at Mickleton R&B Club but certainly not their last one as they enjoyed themselves as much as we did.

Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes, The Stetson, Ravenshead - 27 June 2008

for more photos, click
on the picture

Hogan's Heroes first gig at The Stetson.

Brilliant performance, it was a sit-down gig, but at the end everybody stood up for standing ovations. Sold out for months!

My brief review:

After 2 days at home, I went over again to the UK, this time the first gig took place in the Nottingham area. Geoff who runs the place had seen the band last year at the Diamond, Sutton-in-Ashfield, and immediately booked them. Despite of the changed date due to Albert's unfortunate accident, there were no ticket returns which meant full house. I was given a very warm welcome by the lovely staff and would become a 'regular' since then as would the band.  Geoff had even recommended a nice B&B close to the venue which was the beautiful Holly Lodge run by lovely people and surrounded by pure nature.

A guy came up and introduced himself to me as a big Everly Brothers fan, it turned out that he had been to some of their UK gigs in 2005 where I was, too. We also chatted about earlier Rhythm Kings gigs and found out that we've been to the same shows again! Time flew and then the band took to the stage. Sarah arrived in the very last minute coming down from Sheffield. Both of us enjoyed the fantastic show from our excellent table. Vince Eager, one of the veterans of the 2i's coffee bar in Soho/London and thus belonging to the 'Albert Lee history' was among the audience, and Albert dedicated one of the Elvis songs to him. Unfortunately V.E. left early and I missed taking a photo! Didn't know then that I would meet him again at later gigs.

After the show we had nice chats with the band members, Sue and author Derek Watts who was there promoting his book about Albert  'COUNTRY BOY'. I brought a print-out of a lovely 1990 Albert photo from an interview in THE GUITARIST magazine which I got signed by the man himself. Then it was time to say good night, and here's to the Stetson again next year!


Set List / not complete and not always in the right order.
Restless
Two Step Too
Tiger Rag
I'll never get over you
Why me
Breathless
Barnyard Boogie
Rad Gumbo  
Crying in the Rain
Can your grandpa rock'n roll like this 
Leave my woman alone
Till I gain control again  
Country Boy

Encore:
Don't
Hound Dog
Tear it up



About The Stetson:

"Presents the finest live music with a country flavour ......
though we do stray slightly away sometimes !"

Ravenshead Village Hall transforms into The Stetson usually every 2nd Friday
in the month. with doors at 7-30 and the show at 8-15 unless otherwise stated. You can find the hall on Vernon Crescent, Ravenshead, Notts. NG15 9BN off A60 between Nottingham & Mansfield.

I always had a good time at The Stetson thanks to Geoff and the lovely Stetson people who made me feel welcome anytime. Albert & the boys played there in 2008 for the first time and became regulars since then. Needless to say that they sold the venue out each time and delivered an excellent performance.

Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes, The Maverick and Zebra, Maidstone - 23 June 2008 (Re-Scheduled Gig)

 Maverick and Zebra info

"Monday April 21st 2008 - CANCELLED. Unfortunately Albert has broken his arm and will be out of action for the forseeable future. Tickets purchased online will be automatically refunded. We hope to re-schedule this date for later in the year and all tickets will remain valid. Please call 01622 744481 if you purchased tickets by phone or at the venue."
Meanwhile they re-scheduled the gig, which took place on 23rd June, and was there ! 

My brief review:

Down to Kent on Monday morning, busy streets, but I arrived on time in sunny Maidstone. Checked in and decided to take a stroll and some photos of lovely old buildings. The venue was in walking distance, just one block down the street, didn't need the car and could treat me with some tasty JD's ;-) When I came, Derek Watts was already there and we spent some time talking elaborately about Albert's biography he'd written. The book sold well, Derek had to order more copies from the States. The Maverick & Zebra was a new venue to the band. To cut a long story short, the gig was awesome, a great audience including many friends and family members of Albert's. All encores were given including the lovely "Don't". Peter announced that their latest CD "Like This" is officially out now and available in shops. Standing ovations when it was over. They were all in good mood, chatting and joking. As this was my last gig for a little while, I enjoyed chatting with the band later, Peter and Gerry both told funny stories about early band adventures which were mentioned in Albert's book. Then it was time to say thank you and bye-bye, see you again shortly.

I stood too far away for good photos, also flash was not allowed, but the atmosphere was great. The Maverick & Zebra people later wrote me a nice message: "Thanks so much for coming to see Albert Lee. Hope to see you back here again some day !!!"

Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes, Cox's Yard Stratford-upon-Avon - 22 June 2008

Cox's Yard, Stratford-upon-Avon - 22 June 2008

Band:
Albert Lee, git, voc, key
Gerry Hogan, steel guitar, git
Peter Baron, drums, voc
Brian Hodgson, bass, backgr voc
Elio Pace, key, acc, voc


My review:

Long drive from Emsworth up to Stratford-upon-Avon, busy highways on Sunday, but I finally made it. Again no time for Shakespeare, I got ready for the gig at Cox's Yard, a venue I like as it has a certain style located on the upper floor. A long queue, but I was lucky to make it almost to the front. Boy, was it hot in there! Met a nice couple who were fans of Pete Wingfield and quite amazed that he's no longer with the band. They told me they hadn't been to any gigs lately and thus missed the news. But Elio made up for everything and I'm sure he has won at least 2 new fans! Needless to say that the gig was outstanding, funny "Barnyard Boogie" was on the list, sweat was running, but we all had a great time. When the show was over, many people came to shake Albert's hands and say thank you. I brought some older black-and-white photos for Brian and Peter from their Fatso / Compass time and we enjoyed watching them. Then I called it a day and slept like a log. Another long drive ahead of me next morning.



Set List / not complete and probably not in the right order.
Restless
Two Step Too
Tiger Rag
I'll never get over you
Why me
Breathless
Barnyard Boogie
Rad Gumbo  
Crying in the Rain
Can your grandpa rock'n roll like this 
Leave my woman alone
Till I gain control again
Country Boy

Encore:
Don't
Hound Dog
Tear it up

Cox's Yard by night. Stratford-upon Avon's Cox's Yard entertainment complex and Bridge Foot at night, by the banks of the River Avon. Originally built as a timber merchant business by James Cox in 1839 the Victorian era would have seen this Avon Bridge Wharf area a thriving industrial hub dominated by warehouses. Few are now left, with this part of town now given over to tourists and, of course, Shakespeare pilgrims to the nearby Royal Shakespeare Theatre. James Cox and Son supplied timber to builders in Stratford and the surrounding area and gained a great reputation for providing the finest materials for many of today's historic buildings in Shakespeare Country.

Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes, Blues on the Farm at Pump Bottom Farm, Appledram / nr Chichester - 21 June 2008.

Blues on the Farm - 21 June 2008
Great event near Chichester. Albert & HHs were onstage already on 6.45 pm which meant I had to hurry up driving all the way down from Luton Airport to Chichester .... but made it on time despite thick traffic. Met up with Jilly, Ange, Steve and Uwe, and we all had a great time and enjoyed ourselves - even the bad weather couldn't spoil our good mood. We were all so much looking forward and were not disappointed. Great bands line-up and relaxed atmosphere as always at this traditional festival. Thanks to our friends Ange and Jilly for taking excellent photos and sharing them with me. Click on the picture to get to the Flickr album. It was nice to meet up with Uwe from Berlin for the first time; he's a great fan and travelled all the way by train. We should meet again later at several gigs.


Band:
Albert Lee, git, voc, key
Gerry Hogan, steel guitar, git
Peter Baron, drums, voc
Brian Hodgson, bass, backgr voc
Elio Pace, key, acc, voc

Also on the bill:
The British Blues Quintet featuring the excellent Maggie Bell as well as Miller Anderson and Colin Hodgkinson. Maggie is vocally regarded by some as the British answer to Janis Joplin, what an amazing voice ! To quote Maggie: "not bad for a 63 year old ...". Photos taken by me and Jilly Penegar, thanks for sending in and letting me use.

Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes: Showdown at Chiddingfold Club w/ special guests - 06 June 2008

Showdown at Chiddingfold Club - 06 June 2008
Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes with special guest Gary Brooker.

Last gig at this special venue before it closed down. Photos were taken partly by me and Jilly. Can't tell anymore which are mine and which are hers, but I think it doesn't matter as it's just to remember the good times we had there with so many great musicians.


Band:
Albert Lee, git, voc, key
Gerry Hogan, steel guitar, git
Peter Baron, drums, voc
Brian Hodgson, bass, backgr voc
Elio Pace, key, acc, voc
Special Guest: 
Gary Brooker

My review:
Back home and almost recovered from the delayed flight, here's a brief review of last Friday's gig:
Great to meet up with Jilly and heading to Chiddingfold Club to see Albert & HH's last gig there. Unfortunately the club will be closed down shortly which is very sad as it featured so many great acts over the years. When we arrived it was already busy, a complete sell-out. We suspected some special guests among the audience and were not disappointed.

We moved to the front row to have a good view. Temps were high and got even higher. Howard Williams the promoter came onstage and had some moving words about the (non)future of Chiddingfold Club, before introducing Albert and the boys for their last gig at this venue. No words needed about the bands' performance, brilliant as usual, the set again slightly changed containing a lot of fresh songs from the latest album including the funny "Barnyard Boogie".

Then Albert asked special guest Gary Brooker onstage, but funny enough, Gary had disappeared and couldn't be tracked down. It turned out that he was having a smoke outside in a quiet corner and missed the announcement! This caused considerable laughter and the band decided to bring him on after their short break. No sooner said than done, Gary took over the piano doing the big Procol Harum hit "A whiter shade of pale" which was outstanding. Then he played a very emotional version of "Good night Irene" with slightly changed wording - a swan song for good old Chiddingfold Club. Everybody sang along, and I could spot Sue in the corner dancing and having a ball as this is one of her favourite songs! Hugging his former Rhythm King mate Albert, shaking hands with the others - and Gary left the stage with thundering applause. The band continued strutting their stuff, we took photos and enjoyed it to the full.

Nice chats, photos and a lot of fun later with the boys. Albert's biography COUNTRY BOY was out that very day, and author Derek Watts was there to promote. All of us had a lot of fun (despite bad-hair-day for me and the incredible heat in the hall ....). I got one of the first copies and Derek was kind enough to write me a nice comment. Albert also signed my copy and it goes without saying that I guarded my treasure jealously until I got safely home ....
(Later I got my copy signed by the other band members as well as by some members of the Hot Band).
When it was time to leave, we said bye-bye and thank you to the boys, Sue and Howard. A great night with an excellent band and lovely people !


From: thisisjuanitatoo Sent: 08/06/2008 23:00
Hi Gudrun, and thanks for all the info on your latest Albert adventure. Very interesting and Gary Brooker must have been a real bonus.Glad you and Jilly enjoyed yourselves SO much. Not long to Mickleton now. Love from Beryl. xxx.

From: jillydesmo350 Sent: 08/06/2008 23:24
Great to see you again, Gudrun. Yes, the Chiddingfold gig was excellent, a great atmosphere and an appreciative audience worthy of the superb Albert Lee and HH's. Talking to another promoter afterwards, he's hoping to get Albert and the boys booked for a gig 'locally' in the near future.
I can't believe that the Blues Club is closing, all the gigs there have made money, sadly it's the social club itself that hasn't been making money.
The new set list is good - ok so there's some favourites missing, but the new additions are well worthy of inclusion. Love from Jilly xxx

From: RhythmGirl1 (Ange) Sent: 09/06/2008 01:22
I'm so glad you both had a nice time in Chiddingfold. And what a treat seeing Gary Brooker too. I last saw him with his own band at Blues on the Farm a few years ago now, he's just brilliant isn't he. See you @ Blues on the Farm. Ange xx


"From: jillydesmo350 Sent: 29/12/2007 23:27
Very sad news about Chiddingfold, Howard Williams hopes to hold further gigs at Woolmer Hill (Ange, Steve, and I saw Mike Sanchez there a while ago).

Bo Diddley dies aged 79

Guitar legend passes away from heart failure

A spokesperson confirmed that the guitar legend has passed away due to heart failure. He was 79.

The rock 'n' roll pioneer, famed for his homemade square guitar, suffered a stroke in May 2007 while touring in Iowa, which was followed by a heart attack in August the same year.

Doctors sad the stroke had affected his ability to speak and he was convalescing in Florida when he died. Diddley was born Otha Ellas Bates (and was later known as Ellas McDaniel) on 28 December 1928 in McComb, Mississippi.

Bo Diddley first came to prominence in 1955 when he topped rhythm and Blues charts with the track 'Bo Diddley', while some of his other hits included 'Who Do You Love', 'Before You Accuse Me' and 'Mona'.
Bo Diddley was inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame in 1987.

(from: NME News)

COUNTRY BOY - A Biography of Albert Lee, by Derek Watts, Foreword by Eric Clapton

Country Boy - A Biography of Albert Lee, by Derek Watts,
Foreword by Eric Clapton, ISBN 978-0-7864-3658-3, ca. 65 photos, appendices, notes, bibliography, index hardcover (7 x 10) 2008.
Out now, available with amazon, McFarlands and on the gigs, approx. $45.-- / € 32.--

Reviews from Readers:
Our greatest guitarist? By P.E. Davis, 10 Jun 2008
This is a superb study of Albert Lee's career and musical styles. Derek Watts writes incisive, literate prose which is revealing and witty. His research has obviously been incredibly thorough: even if (like me) your interest in Albert's playing dates back to the early stages of his career I'm sure you will find much that is new. The sheer scale of his influence and involvement in music, the ceaseless touring and the range of collaborations, all achieved with inexhaustible enthusiasm, surely make Albert Lee unique. Derek Watts captures that energy and the scenarios in which Albert has worked in one of the best musical biographies I have read.

An Excellent and Informative Read, by T. Fry - 17 Jun 2008
Biographies can oh-so-often be a mundane list of dates and events chronicling the life and times of person being written about. Derek Watts fills the life story of Albert Lee with colour and anecdotes that leads you from chapter to chapter, wanting to know what happens next. Each chapter is composed carefully and details a particular direction that Lee has taken at that time - a period of 4 to 7 years. It is clear that Watts has researched his subject carefully and has taken time to interview many, if not all, of the people involved in the life and times of Albert Lee. And it says much of Watts that he has been able to get so much from so many in what is such a busy business. I am looking forward to the next project that Watts will publish: it doesn't matter who or what it's about, it is sure to enthrall.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments
Foreword by Eric Clapton 1
Introduction 3
Prologue: A Stopping Place 5

1. The Blackheath Years 13
2. The Times They Are A-Changin’ 28
3. Parnes, Shillings and Pence 41
4. Learning the Game 53
5. Thunderbirds Are Go! 65
6. A Country Boy at Heart 83
7. Heads, Hands and Feet 97
8. California Dreaming 118
9. From a Deeper Well 137
10. Further on Up the Road 158
11. Walk Right Back 184
12. “A Band of Heroes” 204
13. All Kings Is Mostly Rapscallions 231

Epilogue: A Stopping Place 246
Appendix A: Albert Lee’s Family History 249
Appendix B: Press Release from Ernie Ball Music Man, August 17, 1993 250
Chapter Notes 251
Bibliography 261
Index 265

About the Author:
Derek Watts lives in Lewes, East Sussex, England.

This comprehensive biography tells the entire story of Lee’s long career and personal experiences, beginning with his upbringing in south London and his early experimentations with skiffle music (the British equivalent of American rockabilly). The story continues into the 1960s, through Lee’s career in Chris Farlowe’s Thunderbirds and the British rock and country group Heads, Hands & Feet before covering Lee’s move to the United States in the 1970s and his subsequent work with Eric Clapton, the Crickets, Emmylou Harris and the Hot Band, the Everly Brothers, and, more recently, with Bill Wyman and with Hogan’s Heroes. Throughout the work, the author sets Lee’s career against the background of changes in popular music and assesses how Lee, as a British artist with nomadic Romany roots, has impacted traditionally “American” musical genres. The work includes 66 photographs, many from Lee’s personal collection, two appendices, and an extensive bibliography. 

Albert w/ Derek and his partner Gerry I found a true little story in the Hasting's Observer how Derek Watts came to writing a book about Albert. 

Man's email led to a book on a rock legend
(Hastings Observer, April 2008, source: Sussex Express Series)
A LEWES writer who emailed a rock music legend 'because no-one had ever written about him' won himself a dream ticket. Derek Watts, 64, of Cliffe High Street, is putting the finishing touches to the first-ever biography of 'the guitar player's guitar player' – Albert Lee.

Albert – who coincidentally is the same age – wowed a 1,500-strong audience at Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings concert at the Brighton Dome earlier this month.

He now lives in the USA and is best-known here for his work with Eric Clapton, The Crickets, Emmylou Harris and the Everly Brothers.

His early life takes an astonishing trajectory from Romany roots in South East London and Kent to the highest pantheon of rock music greats in the USA and the UK.

No less astonishing is how Hastings-born Derek came to land the job.

He told the Express: 'Albert was a name around my head for about 35 years.
'I went to see the band in 2003 and he just struck a chord.
'I thought, I bet Albert has had an interesting life, and then I discovered there was no book about him. 'I emailed him and asked if he'd like me to write one. 'I'd written a book about England and Sussex cricketer Jim Parks.' Albert got back in touch and said he would be interested, although he turned down numerous approaches from US-based music journalists. 'When I asked why he said: "It's because you've already written a book".'

While Albert was making his name, Derek left university, trained as a teacher and taught in Sierra Leone and Zambia, returning to teach geography, history and English in the UK in the 1970s.

This experience at marshalling facts helped him trawl through Albert's life and set up a 'timeline' so information about each decade could easily be slotted into place. 'Researching and writing the book was a fantastic journey over two-and-a-half years – in more ways than one.'

It took Derek and his partner, Gerry (pictured with Albert) to Nashville and Albert's home town of Los Angeles. Albert had given Derek signed pieces of paper instructing every one he wanted to interview 'to give him all the help you can'.

He interviewed the likes of Jerry Allison and Sonny Curtis of The Crickets, Chris Farlowe, Emmylou Harris ('intelligent, articulate, lovely, very together') Chris Farlowe and Chas and Dave. In October 2005 he talked at length to Eric Clapton who agreed to write the introduction. There were some he couldn't get hold of in time like Joe Cocker and Shakin' Stevens – but all Derek's interviewees, no matter how stellar themselves, agreed every aspiring guitarist wants to play like Albert. He chatted to Bill Wyman before a Rhythm Kings concert and even sat in on a two-and-a-half-hour rehearsal – 'one of my abiding and fondest memories. 'They're a bit like a Sunday football team – whoever is around on the day joins in.'

Derek described his latest subject as 'the most laid-back, unpushy man you could meet'. Albert's family were Romany fairground folk operating coconut shies in London and Kent (yes, some of the coconuts were filled with lead). He pointed out: 'Romany history is aural and all those tales of dancing round the camp fire have roots in fact.'

Born in Leominster where his accordian and fiddle-playing dad was on wartime service, he was taught the piano, mentally transposing the keyboard onto the frets of his guitar. He experimented with skiffle where his nomadic soul meshed in spirit with the established American country scene – itself rooted in the songs and music of first-generation immigrants who built the railroads.

His talent spiralled him through the 60s into a career with Chris Farlowe's Thunderbirds and the British cult rock and country group, Heads, Hands and Feet before moving to the USA.

Married for more than 20 years he has five children, and lives in a wood-framed house overhanging a canyon in Malibu where every surface is elbow-deep in books, CDs, musical instruments, 'heaps of stuff which no-one moves'.

Photo left:  Chiddingfold 2008 where the book was just out and Derek Watts kept me one of the first five copies.