Albert Lee's December Events (A Review, an Interview & other News)

Albert and Peter Asher played 2 nights at The Iridium NYC (08 + 09.12.2015). This is a review by Jim Bessman for examiner.com published 11 December:

• Peter Asher and Albert Lee perfect together at Iridium

Rock Cellar Magazine caught up with Albert Lee ahead of his participation in the Get Together Foundation’s holiday fundraising concert at California State University Northridge:

Albert Lee on Everly Brothers, the Crickets and Decades of Rock History (Interview) - See more at: http://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/2015/12/09/albert-lee-guitarist-interview/?utm_source=Rock+Cellar+Magazine+Subscribers&utm_campaign=8a3c533067-December+Issue+12.9.15&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_951cfef8de-8a3c533067-161190013#sthash.WsTotnug.mypcHRGs.dpuf

Albert Lee on Everly Brothers, the Crickets and Decades of Rock History (Interview) - See more at: http://www.rockcellarmagazine.com/2015/12/09/albert-lee-guitarist-interview/?utm_source=Rock+Cellar+Magazine+Subscribers&utm_campaign=8a3c533067-December+Issue+12.9.15&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_951cfef8de-8a3c533067-161190013#sthash.WsTotnug.mypcHRGs.dpufAlbert

• Albert Lee on Everly Brothers, the Crickets and Decades of Rock History

• 13.12.2015 Albert Lee appeared at the "ROCK-N-ROLL CHRISTMAS SHOW’ for the MusiCares® Foundation at Plaza del Sol Performance Center - CSUN, Northridge, California 91330
  
  Photo album here.
  Line-up:
  DEBBI PETERSON (The Bangles), ALBERT LEE (Bill Wyman, Emmylou Harris, Everly Brothers, Eric Clapton), CARNIE WILSON, ROSEMARY BUTLER (Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt), FREEBO (Bonnie Raitt), KEN STACEY (Ambrosia, Michael Jackson), JOHN WICKS (The Records), LOIS BLAISCH (Neil Young, David Foster), MARKY LENNON (VENICE – the band), GARY GRIFFIN (Brian Wilson), ROB BONFIGLIO (Wilson Phillips), MARC MANN (Jeff Lynne, Concert for George}, KIKI EBSEN, THE HONEYS (Marilyn Wilson & Ginger Blake), GARY STOCKDALE (Penn & Teller, Brian Setzer, Randy Newman), MB GORDY (drummer Doobie Brothers) ... & many more.

Albert Lee Band / Various Reviews from 2014 (USA, CND, JPN)

Photo: gs (2010)

Line-up:
Albert Lee (g vo, p),
John "J.T." Thomas (key, acc, vo),
Will MacGregor  (b, vo),
Jason Harrison Smith (ds)



Reviews 2014:

• Gigs at The Iridium, NYC, 03 - 05 Feb 2014

• Photo from Cotton Club Tokyo, Feb 2014, by Jim Cowan Management

• The Courant: English'Country Boy' Guitarist Albert Lee Still Playing Solo,
  04 Feb 2014 

• The Center for the Arts, 18 Feb 2014 

• Gigs with Cindy Cashdollar,  June / July / August 2014
  Various Venues in the US.

• Double Gig at McCabe's - Santa Monica CA, 11 + 12 July 2014
  Peter Asher joined on the 2nd gig. Jim Cowan/Manager says: "
  'twas another fine night along the Albert Lee summer tour, this time close to home. Exquisite vocals by Rosemary Butler on "Dreaming As One" and a couple featuring Peter Asher duetting with Albert; "Let It Be Me" in the style of the Everlys and the #1 "World Without Love" were added to the set and the crowd loved every single minute!" 
  Some photos here  and  here.

• Review on Albert's Gig at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, Seattle - 22 July 2014, with some great photos

• Great interview with Albert Lee in the Skagit Valley Herald - 23 July 2014 before playing The Lincoln Theatre at Mount Vernon/WA.
  See full article here

• 
  Albert at Edmonton Folk Festival 08 -09 Aug 2014:
  08.08.2014 Edmonton Folk Festival, Stage 3, Master Class 6:00-7:05pm Albert featuring Amos Garrett and DANIEL LANOIS!! 
  "Albert Lee is a finger-picking guitar virtuoso who has worked with Joe Cocker, Emmylou Harris, Eric Clapton, The Everly Brothers and well, you name it.  We are delighted to host Albert for his EFMF debut."   
  09.08.2014 Edmonton Folk Festival, Stage 1, Concert  3:00-04.05pm
  09.08.2014 Edmonton Folk Festival, 'An Axe to Grind', Stage 1, 4:05-05:45pm
  
  Photo by Jim Cowan Management who said: "Our last day at the Edmonton Folk Festival was Saturday. Imelda May, Los Lobos, Joe Ely and so many more class artists from the world over was a summer highlight. Albert's performance with his band and collaborations with Amos Garrett, Roy Rogers and Daniel Lanois were just good fun of the highest quality."

• Albert at 10th Annual Guitar Town Festival Copper Mountain, CO, 10 August 2014:Photo by Jim Cowan Management who said: "..... A few hours up to Copper Mountain for the 10th annual Guitar Town Festival. Fantastic performances by John Jorgenson, AlbertLee, Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen, Bill Kirchen, Carl Verheyen, and Lee Roy Parnell made the day fly by. Unfortunately, heavy rain and lightning forced an early ending and Sonny Landreth's set was cancelled."
• Gig at Marsfield Fairs, 16 Aug 2014
  Photo by Jim Cowan Management  "Outside on a beautiful Saturday night in Marshfield, MA"
• Last Gig of the Summer Tour at Sportsmen's Tavern, Buffalo, NY
  on 30 Aug 2014:
  No photos available yet, but Jay who was there says: "What an incredible show!!! Thank you Sportsmens for bringing heavyweights like Albert, Rodney Crowell,, Maria Muldaur, and Jim Lauderdale to Buffalo."

• Reviews 2015 click here

• Reviews 2013 click here 
  

Albert Lee - 3 Gigs at The Iridium, NYC, 03 - 05 Feb 2014

Albert Lee Band:
Albert Lee (g vo, p),
John "J.T." Thomas (key, vo),
Will MacGregor  (b, vo),
Jason Harrison Smith (ds)

03.02.2014 Iridium Jazz Club, NYC
04.02.2014 Iridium Jazz Club, NYC
05.02.2014 Iridium Jazz Club, NYC

 

Special guests:
Ramblin' Jack Elliot (all three gigs)
Peter Asher (04.02 2014) (Peter Asher was part of the 60's group PETER AND GORDON as well as A&R for The Beatles Apple Records.)

Iridium say: "We are also celebrating the worldwide release Of Albert Lee Live at The Iridium- Combo pack DVD/CD, available at the shows for only $10.00 and worldwide from Feb. 5.
New Trailer here."

Comments and Photos:

• Jim Cowan Management: "A three day Albert Lee engagement at the Iridium in NYC featured special guests Peter Asher and Ramblin' Jack Elliot, both of whom delivered some great performances."
• As usual, a fantastic photo gallery by Nelson Onofre (electric eyes). These photos are all copyright-protected, so pls just watch and don't copy.
  

• A photo by Vern Warta, taken 05 Feb 2014, showing Albert with Peter Asher

• Another one by Vern Warta, showing Albert with Ramblin' Jack Eliot, 05 Feb 2014

• Press Release Shore Fire Media: Iridiumlive Releases Albert Lee 'Live At The Iridium' CD/DVD (Out Now)

• Rolling Stone:  Albert Lee Plays the 'House That Les Paul Built' - Premiere

Older gigs at the Iridium:

• Albert Lee Band at The Iridium, NYC - 16 - 19 Aug 2013

• Albert Lee Band at The Iridium, NYC - 08 - 10 Feb 2013

• Albert Lee at The Iridium, NYC - 11 Aug 2012

• ALBERT LEE &  LES PAUL TRIO at The Iridium, NYC - 21 Juni 2010

 

Albert Lee Band - Information and Reviews 2013 (USA, Japan, Canada)

Line-up:
Albert Lee (g vo, p),
John "J.T." Thomas (key, acc, vo),
Will MacGregor  (b, vo),
Jason Harrison Smith (ds)




Reviews 2013:

• About Albert Lee Band

• Albert Lee at The Iridium, NYC - August 2013

• Albert Lee & Sylvia Tyson at Peter's Players, Canada, Aug 2013

• Surprise gig at the Mohawk Inn, Aug 2013

• Gig at Nightclub Vancouver July 2013

• Various  reviews from US Gigs in Feb 2013

• Gigs at the Iridium NYC, Feb 2013

• Gigs at Cotton Club, Toyko, Japan, Jan 2013

• Reviews 2015 click here  
• Reviews 2014 click here

Albert Lee Band at The Iridium, NYC - 16 - 19 Aug 2013

Albert played a string of gigs at The Iridium New York City. Unfortunately, there was no live stream available this time.

Fantastic photos from Albert's gig on 17 August at The Iridium
as usual by Nelson Onofre (Electric Eyes), which he likes to share on FB (follow the above link). Please take into account that they are all copyright-protected, so just for watching. Thanks to Nelson for sharing !!

16 Aug. Albert Lee in New York Iridium Jazz Club, 8pm and 10pm
(Iridium says: "On Friday night, ALBERT WILL BE MAKING A PRESENTATION MUSIC MAN ALBERT LEE MODEL GUITAR TO IRIDIUM OWNER RON STURM TO PROUDLY HANG ON OUR GUITAR HALL OF FAME WALL among all the greats - Les Paul, Jeff Beck, Joe Bonamassa, Joe Walsh etc.").
Aug 17: Albert Lee in New York Iridium Jazz Club, 8:00 PM & 10:00 PM
Aug 18: Albert Lee in New York Iridium Jazz Club, one show only
Aug 19: Albert Lee and Jason Smith with the Les Paul Trio, one show only 

... and The Iridium say:
"A special thanks to Albert Lee for four amazing nights of great music. And thanks for the autographed guitar. We can't wait to hang it up with the rest of the legends."

Photos courtesy of Jim Belmont: Albert Lee live at the Iridium. 

 

Albert Lee Band at the Iridium, New York City - 08 / 09 / 10 Feb 2013

Photo gs (Albert 2012)

The Albert Lee Band: 
 Line-up for this tour:
Albert Lee (g vo, p),
JT Thomas (key,vo), 
Will McGregor   Lou Castro (b, vo),
Jason Smith (ds)

The Albert Lee Bad did 3 double gigs at the Iridium New York. The shows on 9th February were broadcast via webstream all over the world in excellent quality. A big thanks to the Iridium staff for making it possible for us here in Europe to 'attend' the gig !
Brief remark: Unfortunately, the set list offered no new material only songs we've heard so many times before. Some songs were played slower than with Hogan's Hogans, especially Gram Parsons' 'Wheels' didn't sound that good but probably I'm spoilt by Hogan's Heroes fast style and the variety they offer. I missed the steel guitar especially on the country songs. Albert was in great shape and made up a lot by his excellent guitar work. My favourites in the set: Carl Perkins' song RESTLESS, Gram Parsons' LUXURY LINER and the Ray Charles tune LEAVE MY WOMAN ALONE. The keyboard player J.T. Thomas deserves a special mention!

February 8 -  The Iridium - New York City
February 9 -  The Iridium - New York City  **
February 10 - The Iridium - New York City

**Announcement by The Iridium:
"Webcasting around the world in HD on Sat Feb 9 @ 8pm EST:
http://iridiumlive.com/live-webcast/
You can also use the link on  Guitar World's site.

Some first class photos by Nelson O. (who is a professional photographer and a regular
at the Iridium) can be found on Facebook, all copyright-protected, and you may have to be logged on to FB to be able to watch them.


Here's a brandnew video from Youtube, presented by http://www.IridiumLive.com
Albert Lee - Iridium Live 2.9.13 

Set List 09.02.2013  (No interval):

I'm ready
Two step too
Wheels
Evangelina
Restless
Dreaming as one
Runaway train
Luxury Liner
Spellbound
No one can make my sunshine smile
Leave my woman alone
Highwayman
Till I gain control again
Rad Gumbo
Country Boy

Encore
Tear it up

2nd night: Albert Lee at The Iridium Jazz Club, New York, NY - 11 Aug 2012

Just finished watching the show via webcast, thanks to Ron Sturm from The Iridium for making it possible - sometimes the internet can be really helpful!

The show was excellent, mainly because of Albert's superb guitar work, also the keyboarder deserves a special mention for his works on RESTLESS, RAD GUMBO and COUNTRY BOY.


As to the setlist: it comprises only songs Albert had done earlier with Hogan's Heroes, however some of them sound different. All the songs were covers apart from COUNTRY BOY. The set was shorter than usual, probably as they are doing two shows every night. Albert's daughter Alex was  a surprise guest. She did the Les Paul & Mary Ford tune THE WORLD IS WAITING FOR THE SUNRISE together with another singer, Megan Reilly. Between the songs, Albert kept the audience entertained telling stories from his time with Emmylou, Eric Clapton and the Everly Brothers.

Albert Lee Band:

Albert Lee, guitar, vocals, piano
John Thomas, aka J.T, keyboards, backgr vocals
Will MacGregor, bass
Jason Smith, drums
Special guests:
Alex Lee, Megan Reilly, vocals

Setlist:  
(No interval)
I'm ready
Two step too
Wheels
Evangelina
Restless
Runaway train
Luxury Liner
The world is waiting for the sunrise  (Alex Lee and Megan Reilly on vocals)
Spellbound
No one can make my sunshine smile
Leave my woman alone
Highwayman
Rad Gumbo
Country Boy

Encore:
Tear it up

________________

I also watched the 2nd show which brought another surprise guest, Gary US Bonds (whom we all remember touring with Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings in autumn 2009) . He did 2 songs with the band  NEW ORLEANS and QUARTER TO THREE. Albert's Everly song NO ONE CAN MAKE MY SUNSHINE SMILE was left out. Everything else remained unchanged, and also Alex and Megan performed the same song as earlier. Great applause and standing ovations at the end.

Comments by Megan Reilly which she shared with us on Facebook:
"Last night was the first of a weekend residency for Albert Lee at Iridium Jazz Club and I've been really excited to not only meet him but to get to be on stage with him. I've been so consumed with trying to perfect my Mary Ford cover that I didn't consider what watching him would be like. And when he sat down at the piano to play Richie Havens' song "dreaming as one" I just wept. If you're in NYC you need to see this 70 yr old legend who tells stories like, "when I met Phil Everly in 1970 he took me to Disneyland..."
He's there 2x tonight and Sunday as well xo MR"

Guitar Polytheism: Albert Lee & John Jorgenson at New York City's Iridium Club, 22 + 23 Aug 2011

The Iridium Jazz Club set up a livestream, so I was able to watch the concert which was just brilliant. Some photos and the setlist below:

Photo Album by Lynne Schmalstich Riordan - thanks for putting it up, great pics btw
Albert Lee and John Jorgenson at The Iridium NYC on 22 Aug 2011

Setlist Gig #1  -  22 August 2011:
JJ+AL - Sweet little Lisa
JJ+AL - Luxury Liner (v. Rodney Crowell)
JJ - Love you too (v.George Harrison)
JJ - If it be your will (v. Leonard Cohen)
AL - Rad Gumbo
AL - Leave my woman alone (v. Ray Charles)
AL+JJ - Devoted to you (v. Everly Brothers)
AL+JJ - Till I gain control (v. Rodney Crowell)
AL+JJ - Country Boy
- Keine Zugabe - No encore -

Setlist Gig #2  -  23 August 2011:
JJ+AL - Sweet little Lisa
JJ+AL - Luxury Liner (v. Rodney Crowell)
JJ - Love you too (v.George Harrison)
JJ - If it be your will (v. Leonard Cohen)
AL - Rad Gumbo
AL - Leave my woman alone (v. Ray Charles)
AL+JJ - Devoted to you (v Everly Brothers)
AL+JJ - Till I gain control (v. Rodney Crowell)
AL+JJ -Well allright (Buddy Holly)
AL+JJ - Country Boy
Zugabe/ Encore:
AL+JJ -Tear it up

ALBERT LEE & THE LES PAUL TRIO at Iridium, NYC - 21 Juni 2010

Les Paul Mondays Feat. ALBERT LEE AND THE LES PAUL TRIO
Lou Pallo - Guitar, John Colliani - Piano, Nicki Parrott - Bass - and Peter Baron on drums

21 June 2010, 8.00 - 10.00 pm at The IRIDIUM, Tickets $30.-

Often refered to as 'The Father Of The Electric Guitar', Les Paul was probably the most influential guitarist ever. Les was not only an amazing musician, he was an inventor, innovator,multi-grammy winner, rock and roll hall of famer.

Les Played at The Iridium for over 12 years and he was a great friend. To honor him, we present amazing guitarists from all genres of music- we also donate 20% of the door to The Les Paul Foundation. Donations can be made to the Les Paul Foundation, 236 West 30th Street, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10001.

Mondays are definitely the hippest guitar hang in the world and we think Les Paul would be proud! You will see lots of surprises and guys that normally do not play such intimate venues! Albert Lee occupies an odd niche in music -- British by birth and upbringing, he spent the mid-'60s as a top R&B guitarist, but in the 1970s became one of the top rockabilly guitarists in the world, and no slouch in country music either. In England he's a been household name, and in Nashville and Los Angeles he's been one of the most in-demand session guitarists there is; but outside of professional music circles in America, he's one of those vaguely recognizable names, and occasionally misidentified with his similar-sounding contemporary, ex-Ten Years After guitarist Alvin Lee (with whom he did share a berth once, in Jerry Lee Lewis's band on the latter's London Sessions album) -- but where Alvin was a hero of Woodstock and a flashy guitarist, in the manner of British blues extroverts Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck, Albert is much more likely to be found playing in the background, behind the Everly Brothers or alongside Eric Clapton. 

 

Thanks to Georg, just found this one from the Iridium Gig, excellent !:

Les Paul Trio with Albert Lee playing "Just Because" at the Iridium Jazz Club on 1650 Broadway (51st) New York - 21 June 2010 (uploaded for YouTube by the Iridium Club):