Books (related to Albert Lee in one way or another)

Albert Lee related Books
(in chronological order, starting with the oldest publication):

The Fender Telecaster by A.R. Duchoissoir
Albert Lee (Foreword),
James Burton (Foreword)

The Best of Albert Lee Guitar tab edition, published in 1993:
11 songs including:
Luxury Liner - Tiger Rag - Erin - Country Boy - Bullish Boogie - T-Bird to Vegas - Seventeenth Summer - Hummingbird.
Albert Lee's Virtuoso Techniques offers Complete note for note transcriptions of the solos, jams and exercises on the Albert Lee DVD of the same name. Albert covers a variety of topics, such as Country intros and endings, double-stop concepts, bends and banjo-style rolls and patterns, and numerous examples detailing them. In addition, he and his band play some of his showcase tunes, including T-Bird to Vegas and the classic Country Boy.

Albert also demonstrates the B-string bender, using it on tunes such as Sweet Little Lisa, and his original Lonely Guy, and pulls out his baritone guitar on a blues jam. His Melodic side is featured on a sensitive rendition of Tennessee Waltz showing a textbook example of double-stop improvising. This book is rare and no longer available.

Hot Country Comprehensive Guide to Lead and Rhythm Country Guitar Playing,
Albert Lee (Foreword), Lee Hodgson
Published: 29 Aug 1997 Publisher: Sanctuary Publishing Ltd. Pages: 208 Category: Country & Western

Ultimate Play-Along Country
hard-to-find title Paperback (January 1997)
About Ultimate Country Play-along: Guitar Trax Cd Included
Performed by Albert Lee, Jerry Donahue, Steve Trovato. Edited by Aaron Stang. CPP books (Guitar tablature). 84 pages. Published by Warner Brothers. (CPM0003ACD)

Ultimate Play-Along Country: Vol 1 Publication Date: 1997-03 Publisher: Alfred Publishing Company
Performed by Robben Ford, Albert Lee, Paul Gilbert, Jerry Donahue. Edited by Aaron Stang. CPP books (Guitar tablature). 68 pages.
Published by Warner Brothers. (CPM0004CD)
Volume 1 and Volume 2 each contain: nine killer rock, blues and country play-along tracks, a live rhythm section featuring Musicians Institute staff artists, demo solos by monster guitarists, and complete rhythm charts and solo transcriptions with tablature. The books contain both an analysis of each progression and a transcription of each demonstration solo. Fingerings for some practical scales are diagramed and easily accessible.

Ultimate Play-Along: Vol 2
The ULTIMATE GUITAR PLAY-ALONG series places the aspiring guitarist with some of the finest musicians in the world. ULTIMATE GUITAR COUNTRY PLAY-ALONG includes ten hot country play-along trax, a live rhythm section, demo solos by monster guitarists, complete rhythm charts, and solo transcriptions with tab.

Country Licks for Guitar (2000) - Book and CD
Hal Leonard | English | 2000 | ISBN-10: 0634021303 32 pages
This unique package examines the lead guitar licks of the masters of country guitar, such as Chet Atkins, Jimmy Bryant, James Burton, Albert Lee, Scotty Moore and many others!
The accompanying CD includes demonstrations of each lick at normal and slow speeds. The instruction covers single-string licks, pedal-steel licks, open-string licks, chord licks, rockabilly licks and funky country licks, plus tips on fingerings, phrasing, technique, theory and application, and more. In standard notation and tab.

Book GUITAR HEAVEN by Neville Marten,
foreword by Brian May. Featuring an article about Albert and his signature Ernie Ball Music Man guitar.

... from the above mentioned book GUITAR HEAVEN
"This quirky-looking instrument is the main six-string of a British musician who has made his name as the foremost exponent of American hot country guitar." 

Eric Clapton: The Autobiography (2007)
Albert Lee got several mentions.

Country Boy - A Biography of Albert Lee, by Derek Watts
Foreword by Eric Clapton
(2008)

Other related books:
Rockin' at the 2 I's Coffee Bar by Andrew Ings
(March 2010)

See also:  Albert featured in various in Newspapers and Magazines

To be continued ....

Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes, Komedia Brighton - 13 Nov 2008

Komedia Brighton - 13 Nov 2008



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

Guest: Wayne Lee, key, voc,  for the encore

After dropping Sarah in Sheffield and staying over close-by for a relaxing night, I carried on towards Brighton next morning. Bad weather, heavy rain, bad hotel, unfriendly staff, bad hair ... didn't start very promising and the less said about it the better.


Komedia Brighton turned out to be a nice venue with a friendly staff, and the show made up for everything. The boys were in great shape, Derek Watts & his partner Gerry were there as was Wayne who joined the boys onstage. Albert, Wayne and Elio enjoyed themselves doing their 3-men-on-one-piano show which caused standing ovations. It was sooo good, shame I could only take a few photos from far and they didn't come out well as the lightning was poor. Later I walked back to my hotel and left as early as possible to get out of this terrible nevertheless expensive place.


Set List / incomplete and notalways in the right order:
Restless
Two Step Too
Tiger Rag
I'll never get over you  or  Wake up screaming
Why me
Breathless
Barnyard Boogie 
Crying in the Rain

Rad Gumbo 
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 (with Wayne Lee guesting on piano)

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 !!!"

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.

Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes, Hailsham Pavilion - 06 May 2007

Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes at Hailsham Pavilion - 06 May 2007

Hailsham Pavilion Flyer

Sunday 06 May

Drove down to Hailsham to see the next show at the Pavilion. I was there last year and fell immediately for this old-fashiond but very stylish little theatre. Was surprised that the manager John Perry remembered me, and we had a brief chat. As last year, it was a complete sell-out, but I had a front row seat with fantastic view due to my "early bird" booking ! Before the show started they played songs of Phil Beer who is to perform there in the next future, great music, I can only recommend, watch out for the excellent female singer Miranda Sykes (more see flyer below).

The band came on and after the first 2 songs the ice was broken. My seat was great, I think all the people sitting next to me (males only) were musicians or experts as they kept staring on Albert's flying fingers and followed every movement. As they were tight in cameras last time, I was reluctant to take photos during the first set. Met a nice couple in the interval who took videos, so I started to take some pics later without flash. The couple turned out to be huge Rhythm Kings fans so we had something to talk about. I liked the show even more than the night before at 100Club, had the feeling that the audience was very responding, I heard "Aahs" and "Ohs" when the well-known Everly songs were on and whispering around me "he's great", "what a band" etc. The telecaster wasn't used this time but Albert did another piano song on request which I knew from the CD "The Crickets and their Buddies", it was "Learning the game" which they did out of the cold without rehearsal. Later I learned that it was dedicated to Gerry, partner of Derek Watts, who wrote the book about Albert. Gerry told me this some time later when we met again at another gig at the Botley Hill Farm.

As to Elio, he has meanwhile fitted in so well and is getting better and better doing his jokes during some songs and creeping under the piano. I can only agree to what Albert wrote on his site "they roll along like a well-oiled machine". Standing ovations. When the Elvis' songs were on during the encore, Albert mentioned James Burton who would come to see the band perform on their Scottish gigs  by the end of this week. TEAR IT UP was fantastic and later people were patiently queuing to get their CDs and other stuff signed. I asked Albert to sign a photo for my brother who's very ill which he kindly did. The band took a well-deserved break after this show. Next day I did some sightseeing at stormy Hastings before setting off to my next destination.

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

Set List (not complete and not always in the right order)
Road Runner
Rock Around with Ollie Vee
Pulling it Off 
Fool's Gold
Brandnew heartache
Tiger Rag 
Only with you  Till I gain control again
Breathless

Set 2
That's Rock'n Roll
Hanging on
Man of constant sorrow
Wake up screaming
One way rider
Dimming of the day   Learning the game
Country Boy

Encore:
Don't
Hound Dog
Tear it up