VETERAN six-string superstar Albert Lee graced new music bar Champions for a vintage evening of country, blues and rockabilly, with the occasional dash of jazz.
Fresh from the London International Music Show, the guitar legend brought a grass-roots feel, with crowd-warming banter and clean electric and steel guitar breaks.
A stadium-bred, theatre-familiar act, the mass of equipment far out-warranted the venue, yet embraced its hospitality.
Material was drawn from Lee’s numerous solo releases, latest album Like This plus a series of classic covers, with Albert’s exquisite piano skills shining through on Beatles and Jerry Lee Lewis numbers. The five-piece band shared vocal and solo duties on Billy Joel’s You May Be Wrong.
The Heroes demonstrate an elusive musicianship rarely seen today, and Albert, 65, is clearly not yet ready for retirement.
Arguably the most intimate surroundings in which the words “Grammy winner” will ever be used.
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