I personally think that a lot of this band's strength is in the live performances, not necessarily in studio album work. While watching them, the excitement is there, the technically expert musical skills are there, and it all comes together for a worthy crowd experience. The soul behind the music shines. I know there is a live performance album — Roadworks — not yet released in the United States, available as a limited import. Based on the show at B.B. King's this past Wednesday, I'm interested in buying it. Of course, hits such as "Good Morning, Little Schoolgirl" and "I'd Love to Change the World" brought the house down, but the new songs performed live have that same sort of spark; igniting the crowds.
The band played a good couple of hours and came back for two encores. Just when you thought "Goin' Home" would close the show, it didn't. They kept on rocking with an extended "Choo Choo Mama." For a blues-rock fan, it's a concert I'd certainly recommend more so than the new CD itself. For a gangsta-rap fan, not so much. Joe Gooch isn't Alvin Lee and, with the new songs, I don't think he's trying to be anything but Joe Gooch. Together with Leo Lyons, Chick Churchill, and Ric Lee, the new incarnation of Ten Years After can raise the roof in a live show. That's all that matters to me.
Article comments
1 - Douglas Mays
WOW, Ten Years After 40 years later. The way you describe it, sounds good to me....Concert version of "Choo Choo Mama"? Rockin'
2 - Krisztina Fazekas
Hi, I think you got it right. I agree. Only that crapy photo doesn`t fit to the quality of your critic. So check out www.newyorkcool.com at 1 of April. You can find some good stuff there.
3 - Brigitte and Dave
Great concert review, couldn't have done better myself - as we host two of the best Ten Years After (Now) and Alvin Lee (Tribute) websites, we should know.
If we don't have this review on our website at the moment, we will be sure to add it this weekend for sure.
Nice to read someone being objective for a change, and who just likes good music, a good band and a great time -- that's what Ten Years After has always been about, right from the start!
Much respect from your host,
Brigitte and Dave
Germany / USA
Enjoy our work!!!