Classic Rock Lessons: th-cam.com/video/7Ef_4jqGuEQ/w-d-xo.html Mark Z’s Guitar School: mark-z-guitar-school.teachable.com/courses Please help support my lessons by donating here: paypal.me/MZabel335 Get free TABs here: tinyurl.com/ybpzjuwm
Great lesson-thanks. Saw woodstock when it came out as a 13 year old just starting to play guitar-bloody hell-talk about jaw dropping-and he was just sooooooooooooo cool.Pity they didn't have you tube in 1969 as it would hav esaved me hours playing the vinyl album at 16rpm trying to work out what the hell he was playing-I never did! Saw him live in 2004 at our local auditorium in the Uk on a bill with Edgar Winter and Tony McPhee (not bad eh?-)front row seats.He bowled on and did it all-Captain Speedfingers indeed-and of course finished with IGH with all the bits-marvellous.Great version on the TYA album "Undead" which is much jazzier and less histrionic than later versions.The TYA back catalogue is essential listening for any fan of this genre and some of his later solo stuff is truly excellent.Sadly missed.
So refreshing to hear someone give Alvin Lee some well deserved props. Lee was such an underrecognized guitarist. His work on the Shhhh album really influenced my style of playing a lot.
This song blew me away the first time I heard it in the 70's. My friends and I would listen to this live version of "Im Going Home" every night. Alvin was the greatest unknown Guitarist in America! I still listen to the song and am astonished how great Alvin was!
Me too I was 10 or 12... What was the while helicopter phrase? I'm going home by helicopter. When I was a kid I thought they band was called helicopter. I'm just now deciding everything and figuring out it was ten years after.. Only 40 years after I heard it. Lol
Spoke to Alvin a couple of times. Copying him is how I learned to play the guitar. Miss you Alvin. Ten Years After was my favorite band in the 70s Saw them several times. And I NEVER sold my guitar. Still have it.
Alvin Lee is the reason I began playing guitar 50 years ago. Thank you for the lifetime of enjoyment Alvin. And to this day, there isn't a better live album than 'Ten Years After Recorded LIve', his tone and playing on that album is second to none!
And a waaaay better version of "Going Home" on "Recorded Live" than this so so version at Woodstock (hey kids, that's what mushrooms will do to you-not be at your best).
Agree 100% on the live album, "Ten Years After: Undead". Never sounded better; wonderful tone, absolutely at his peak. I had to follow Lee onstage TWICE at the Fillmore West. Took me years to find my ego again. The guy was on fire! (He did some later solo stuff that really rocked!)
I have always felt that Alvin Lee is the most underrated guitarist of all time, seriously. WATT, Cricklewood Green, About Time, just killer albums. I could go on RIP.
For me, When Alvin announces “This is a thing called I’m Going Home by Helicopter” is the seminal moment of Woodstock. I was 15 years old in 69 and was completely blown away by Alvin’s performance. Sadly he passed away much too young. A real example of his Blues technique and prowess is demonstrated on his “ Bluest Blues” outro solo, it’s simply magnificent, it also features a very tasty slide solo done by George Harrison. Thanks for sharing this Mark!
I had a very similar reaction, though I was 3 in 1969, so I saw the movie with all its psychedelic effects. The four performances that really amazed me - besides Jimi who also impressed, but I kind of knew it was coming - were Santana, Joe Cocker, Richie Havens, and TYA. Havens and TYA were relatively unknown to me and both amazed me with the "leave it all onstage" energy they had. Being a guitar player, I was shocked by Alvin. It was rough, but always in the pocket. I never minded the roughness, like the best of Page, as long as it translated into drive. And that performance still does it for me! I have to listen to "Bluest Blues" now! Thanks!!
@@MarkZabel I agree Mark, Carlos and the boys were on fire. We were still influenced by what was played on AM radio in 69. Although here in the NYC market AM was pretty progressive for the era. Still, I’d never heard anything like “Soul Sacrifice”, amazing for the time. I loved Cocker’s performance along with Havens. Jimi as usual was unparalleled. My son is a grade school vice principle, a few years back they did a tribute to the 60’s and my son borrowed one of my amps and played Jimi’s version of the “Star Spangled Banner” for the entire school. He nailed it, I had it on video but it was accidentally deleted. Again thanks Mark, I thoroughly enjoy your channel and it’s proof you can teach an old dog new tricks!
Watched that performance many times as never really heard him say that. After reading your post I watched again and he sure does say it! I was 14 in 69! Can totally relate
I first heard this when I was 16 and went out bought a guitar and painstakingly learnt to play the guitar and play this. I'm 68 now and still playing it. Great video, very well explained.
When I was a little kid in summer camp I would play this tune as loud as possible on my tape recorder/boom box and run around with my tennis racquet pretending to play…. Even as a kid of maybe 10 or 11 yrs old I knew how special Alvin Lee was!
Alvin Lee was an underrated guitar player. Take a listen to Ten Years After's Space in Time. I consider it one of the top rock n roll albums of the 1960's. It totally rocks from beginning to end.
That was the "sell out" LP - TYA was always on Deram the cheap label of Decca Records but after Woodstock they succumbed to the Corporate CBS money and lost the edge forever. CBS manages to get ONE hit off the record - the very stupid I'd Love To Change The World where poor out of date Alvin rails against "dikes and fairies" - ouch Alvin. They never were heard of again. I can dig you dig Space In Time but by no means is it a good TYA LP - get a copy of Watt or Ssssh (or even Stonehenged w/Hear Me Calling) and there is no comparison UNLESS you like that glossy CBS I'd Love To stuff - but that's not real TYA, imo. 🎸
Absolutely great riff! It works great in a slow blues ... at 1/2 or 3/4 speed it's phenomenal. That's why it's great to learn even though we'll never play it at Alvin's 1,000,000 mph. The idea of using the octave is super-useful also. Instant theme in a solo. Play, play up an octave, play again, play down an octave, play again and end. Nothing to it. Just need one idea for a whole solo. Great device. Alvin was a great player. TYA never got all that much traction in the US other than "I'd Love to Change The World". They played good music.
Alvin Lee was always one of my favorite guitarists. 🎸 His performance at Woodstock is legendary. Some of the fastest fingers ever to play a guitar. 🎸 R. I. P. Alvin Lee
And...let us not forget Alvin was ALSO singing as well... I too soooo many years ago seeing the movie for the first time was astounded by him, the band, and that song. I still am. Legend.
Alvin Lee was one the greatest and most underrated guitarist of a generation filled with the greatest guitarist of all time. Ten Years After anthem song "I'd love to change the world" also defined the Woodstock Generation and Alvin's haunting licks and opening chords make the song instantly recognizable.
Good point Holly Wood! Alvin wasn't particularly crazy about "I'D LOVE TO CHANGE THE WORLD' as he thought it was too poppy but did it to satisfy his record label. However, I totally agree with you with regard to the haunting licks and opening chords. A spectacular song that is just so timeless. It is literally criminal that he is so under rated and passed over by guys that couldn't do half of what he did..!!!
On thanksgivin 2023 by chance my cousin on harp and me on unplugged Gretsch 6120 out in the cold and dark playn Love To Change the World . our first ever jam in old age. Ive loved that song 4 ever but the words? yikes.....
Your so right, seen the movie when it came out was about 13, so many great performances, but Alvin lee for sure stuck in my head it is still at amazing, you do a great job on this lick, thanks
I like "Going Home" and the Woodstock performance was historical. But after 50 years of listening to Ten Years After, I believe Mr. Lee's best song is his live cover of "Help Me". His electric interpretation of that blues classic is stunning and one of the greatest concert jams in history.
i agree, the entire fillmore concert in 1970 was one of the greatest examples of guitar playing ive ever heard, stamina alone'..incredible...i get worn out just listening....that rendition oh ..help me...ive listened to now for over 50 yrs.. and im still amazed!!! ...
Alvin Lee was one of the greatest guitar legends to ever hit the stage. I love all his music, but especially his “Freefall” album. It was a sad day when he passed.
I had the distinct pleasure of seeing the great Alvin Lee with Ten Years After, at an outdoor summer concert in 1975. He was absolutely amazing, and I will never forget it.
After Woodstock, they asked Jimi Hendrix about the performances and he mentioned Alvin as perhaps the best performance and stated Alvin's band Ten Years After sounded great. I think Alvin actually thought the other songs they played were stronger and I'm Going Home was more of a fun boggie. But, I'm Going Home was a lot of fun to hear and see in the movie and it became their most iconic song.
I've been a Hendrix fanatic since 1972-- I've read all the books, read countless interviews, countless articles, countless retrospectives on his career-- and like similar stories about Jimi raving about Terry Kath/Rory Gallagher-- I've never read anything about him commenting on ANY band at Woodstock, much less TYA. Cite your source or join the "anecdotal crowd."
@@shootfirst2097 That's a shame, cuz I've seen TYA about 6/7 times over the years--- Always a great show!!!! Leo Lyons was underated, and is a great bass player, and to even be able to keep up with Alvin was amazing... The solo in I Can't Keep From Crying Sometimes is unmatched!!!!!!!
@@shootfirst2097 Jan.1970 interview with Cream magazine: Hendrix said ," ...of the 3 days of music that was played there, NO ONE outplayed Alvin Lee. Alvin put on a guitar clinic for the ages during TYA's set at Woodstock. I really respect Alvin's ability and how easily it comes to him when he picks up his guitar to be able to play rock, blues, jazz, or whatever. Guitarists just don't come any better than Alvin, and I'm fortunate to count him as a good friend". End quote very badem.
@@armandbasilico9002 No link to the source, it didn't happen. Anybody can SAY anything. Jimi, in interviews, really didn't get into detail about other bands, much less rave in such explicit terms about individual musicians. Other people say the same thing about him raving about Rory Gallagher or Terry Kath. I've never seen proof of any of THOSE claims, either. If somebody had Lexus Nexus, they could probably look into this supposed interview. Lexus Nexus costs about $6,000 a year for s subscription.
If you ask me, Alvin Lee's performance at Woodstock was the highlight of the show. I actually saw him at a small club in Boston called The Channel in the early 80's and he hadn't lost a thing.
As iconic as Alvin Lee's performance was a Woodstock, it was his playing on Ten Years After's "Woodchopper's Ball" album that first caught my attention.
Lived in the Bay Area for 2 years (1971-73) and the only act I went to the Fillmore West for was Ten Years After. I had very high expectations and Alvin Lee surpassed them all. Has to be the greatest unknown/underrated guitarist of all time and maybe without the modifiers.
@@MarkZabel well I never really heard him say I’m going home.. by helicopter till I read that post by Edge Mo, back checked the video and he sure does say it!
@@graysaw oh yeah, definitely says that at the beginning. They were flown in by helicopter and I always thought that's what he meant - they were going home by helicopter as well.
You are right, Alivin Lee blew me away with his lightning fast licks!! He captured our imagination with that dynamic performance at Woodstock. Bravo! Great tutorial 👏👏👏👏
I was 13 in 1969, and I believe the movie actually came out in 1970 (correct me if I'm wrong) but I clearly remember watching Alvin Lee absolutely blow me away for almost 10 minutes. That was a life changing moment in my life, and I learned guitar and bass guitar after that; not in the style of TYA, but that's what inspired me. I must say that Leo Lyon was equally impressive on bass and should be lauded for his contribution to this song.
Yes, I think it came out in 1970. I was 4 at the time, so saw the movie later. I knew of "Change The World", but didn't make the connection until then. Didn't see it coming!
I was 16 in '69 and went to see Woodstock twice within 3 weeks at my local cinema. Seeing Alvin Lee and Leo Lyons ripping it up omg ! Still get goosebumps now seeing that clip.
@@MarkZabel How wierd of you. It was 1978 in high school at 17 when my friend introduced me to Alvin with a cassette recording. TYA was on the B roll so most highlight reels were much bigger names.
@@dartek14I'm not sure what is weird about it. I saw the regular Woodstock movie, probably around 1980 or 1981 on VHS. Alvin and TYA are in the movie. It's not b-roll. I did not see him at Woodstock itself, as I was 4 years old at the time.
@@MarkZabel I am suggesting that the editors who cut all the sets down to a single performance, TYA made the cut, Which is awesome enuf in itself. My perception of all the talk in the day and a couple years after and the LP 1970 which is all anybody had it still took years for us guitar freaks to discover Alvin, Cause everybody was talking about Jimi and Carlos, and Pete. Then in 85 I heard Texas Flood the first time. But that is another convo .. cheers.
This performance changed my life as a teenager just learning to play lead in the early nineties. The sixties and seventies were making a big comeback due to eighties hard rock and metal bands name-dropping their influences, and movies like "The Doors" and "Dazed & Confused". I found an old VHS of Woodstock for rent at a hole in the wall video store, and like you said, got excited about Hendrix. Once I saw Alvin, I was like "Jimi who?" I never had a chance to sit down and cop these licks note-for-note, but they rang in my head forever after, and still do, so that I was always aiming and reaching for that energy, feel, fluidity.
Yes, exactly! I never got to "Jimi who" (still my all-time favorite), but I know what you mean! The raw energy and how he still made it swing at that tempo, AND that he was completely unknown to me - all of that added up to "Whoa!" Glad this video could help bring that memory back. Sounds like a great one!
@@MarkZabel Hey Mark thanks for answering. Very cool for me. I've been watching your videos since the first day of playing guitar. Keep making these great videos. Greetings from Germany, Erik.
I totally agree Alvin Lee was always a monster and he played a few songs with Johnny Winters at Woodstock Hendrix loved Alvin's energy ,I'm gon home. Yah
I loved seeing all the hippies stand in awe when Sha-na-na played the music of their youth...good times. But Ten Years After did indeed rock their socks off!!
Keep in mind that I'm Going Home was the final song in Ten Years After's set at Woodstock and Alvin had played like this throughout that set. Leo Lyons on bass was very good too and entertaining to watch. Hendrix, Clapton, Page, Beck, etc sucked all of the oxygen out of the room but Alvin Lee, Kim Simmonds & Rory Gallagher were all as good as the ones that got all of the attention. Alvin's speed was beyond belief but equally impressive was just his fluid lines that he played so effortlessly. Check out the concert videos of Ten Year After Live At The Marquee - amazing
Jeff Beck didn't make it to Woodstock, he disbanded the Jeff Beck Group the night before they were to take the stage. Nor did Clapton or Page. Bummer, eh?
AMAZING not one BLOODY comment about Hendrix How great this is to see ALVIN LEE AND TEN YEARS AFTER were the HIGHLIGHT OF Woodstock WITH OUT A DOUBT..!!!!!
Wasn't Alvin Lee a neighbor of George Harrison? I believe Harrison used Alvin Lee on a couple of his albums? Well in 1969 when Woodstock arrived I was 15 years old. I purchased the three record set album Woodstock after it was released. This album was jam-packed with great musicians, but unquestionably the musician I remember most was Alvin Lee when he blistered that concert with his tune "I'm Goin' Home.", to this day it is my favorite song from Woodstock. I couldn't believe how lightning fast Alvin Lee's fingers were on this tune. Eddie Van Halen who?? LOL.
@@randycoursey7230 YES he did also a friend to George played on The ALVIN LEE and MYLON LEFEVRE Album under the name of HARI GEOGSON your right there were many great acts on Woodstock but TEN YEARS AFTER were the HIGHLIGHT...THAT'S FOR SURE.
@@mickchilly1112 Alvin Lee hardly ever gets mentioned today. So many people consider Jimi Hendrix the greatest guitarist of all. But they never mention Alvin Lee. Some will say Clapton, some will say Page, some will say Jeff Beck, personally I'll take George Harrison. I don't believe you got to be a flashy fast finger guitarist to be a great guitarist, George Harrison proved this. And he went out with a bang with his last album Brainwashed.
@@randycoursey7230 Always liked George's music your right about Hendrix and all the BULLSHIT that surrounds him doesn't rate with me..As you mentioned there's a lot out there better before Hendrix come along that were more talented..an ALVIN..GEORGE AND JEFF. are just a few of them.
@UCZsVbujW89O-BELk25jQFiA Well some of Harrison's early work is really good. The anthology 1 album or CD is really good. And of course Harrison's contributions on Abbey Road are very good. Something, Here Comes the Sun, Octopus's Garden. Harrison really outdid itself on Richard starkey's tune Octopus's Garden. The guitar playing is nothing short of brilliant. And of course the Let It Be sessions where Harrison played the guitar on his song I Me Mine, the McCartney song Let It Be, the album version lead is very stinging and precise. My brother really loved 10 years after and Alvin Lee. I'm wondering what happened to Alvin Lee?
Saw Ten Years After near 50 years ago at the Montreal Forum. They were a last minute replacement for Fleetwood Mac (Brit blues band back then), nobody complained! ‘I’m Going Home’ was the encore tune: electrifying!
Oh man, I remember that performance so well! I was in high school when I saw the movie late at night with my parents actually. I had never heard of Ten Years After before that and was simply blown away. Alvin Lee was a monster and he single handedly make me think the ES3xx guitar type was cool. Thanks for such an awesome lesson Mark!
Saw Alvin Lee and Mick Taylor in the early mid 80’s open for either the Kinks or Black Sabbath or someone. Alvin kicked ass on “Im going home” i do recall that.
Yes, Alvin Lee was insane at Woodstock and even faster than Hendrix! His riffs in I'm going home "were non stop, powerful and commanding as well. A real jaw dropper!
Ummmm, everybody knows Hendrix was NOT fast. Not at all considered fast. A few "quick licks " maybe, but come on man! Maybe you should say, Clapton cuz Clapton was the "fast guy" at the time that maybe could rival Alvin's fastness {Man, I need to stop correcting all you people. It takes way too much of my time, I mean, am I really this much more in tune to what the f*ck is going on?..}
Great lesson - I am 50 so I first saw the movie when I was a sophmore in HS. I had my guitar teacher show me this lick. I agree, killer track and performance from the movie. Stole the show really. Probably the best guitar moment in the 3 day concert I bet (but I was not there). Thanks for posting. Gonna check out the other vids now :)
Great solo for sure.... Alvin Lee himself thought his playing that night was pretty sloppy and I have to agree that compared to studio recordings, it is a little loose, but the ambience was everything. He did add he had a lot of fun. Probably one of the best guitarists ever. Always played the exact right 8 notes when only one would do. So fast.
Yes, it's all energy and speed. It totally worked for the occasion IMHO. Personally, I admire the player who chooses the 1 right note, like BB, more. But for Alvin to still swing with - well, it was amazing to watch and hear. And I also read where he criticized his play that night. Nah, it was one for the ages. I'm with Greg Koch in reveling in the slop a bit to get the extra grit. It fit the moment for sure.
I made it my mission to learn this song when I was 16 and everyone in my high school was talking about Alvin Lee. Next thing you know, I had crowds of kids sitting around me whenever I sat with my guitar on the school grounds. At the time it felt like a milestone. Then came Jimi and I had to reach another plateau 🙄
saw Alvin Lee at my local concert hall in Australia back in the 80s. He and the Georgia Satellites were both second liners to a local band. AL played his signature blues rock tunes, but at medium speed, and he was sensationally good. Absolutely perfect delivery with no guitar face dramas - looked like you would doing a crossword puzzle and having a cup of tea!
Alvin was one of my 1st guitar heroes - used to hear them at the Boston Tea Party back in '70-1. Later I realized Captain Speedfingers really only played the same 4 or 5 go-to licks in ALL his lead breaks. Check out their early Live album called Undead, done so long ago that Alvin is sporting a Hendrix Fro like a lot of white copycats did at the time (Clapton's 'fro was hilarious looking) and you will hear every lick in his arsenal including this Goin' Home lick which song is also on the LP but on other songs too like Woodchoppers Ball on same LP. For that reason only I had to knock Alvin down a few pegs when I grew older and got better, but I still have a soft spot for him and his Big Red which I almost bought the re-issue of until a moment of sanity saved me from the 10 Grr price tag. You can find a video on YT of Ten Years After with Alvin playing a Strat!!!! SACRILEDGE!! Now THAT was rare !!! Fun fact: Alvin did a solo LP with Mylon LeFevre on which George Harrison donated a song So Sad (the patti splitting). Turns out they had a gang - the Thames Valley Gang because they all lived sort of near each other - George, Alvin, Ron Wood, Jon Lord from Deep Purple - jam buddies. RIP Al, you died for a DUMB reason not of your fault way too soon. 🎸 🎸 🎸 🎸 🎸 🎸 🎸 🎸 🎸
You're my new best friend but I gotta know ... what routine procedure killed Alvin? Plastic Surgery? Complete robbery since he was still fast. Yes Alvin was my inspiration for playing and I finally bought a Gibson Semi but it was the 345 Cherry. made in Kalamazoo.
@@dartek14 From wiki: He died from "unforeseen complications following a routine surgical procedure" to correct an atrial arrhythmia. I note that some cat in Russia is selling a sticker kit with every decal on Big Red wicked accurate for you to slap on any red 335 (with a Strat pup wired in between the buckers!) Love 345's, Kalamazoo made SGs and old Epiphones - Alvin forever !!! 🎸
Thank you. Alvin Lee is the most underrated guitarist of all time. A virtuoso far ahead of his time, ripped off by everyone, and then gone. An amazing legend. That said, the greatest jaw dropping takeaway from the Woodstock movie is the now reconstructed set by the Who which you can see pieced together using film and video on TH-cam. They blew everyone off the stage and sound so great. People claim Pete Townsend was not a great player. He was always a composer first, and second to none at that, but the Who with Pete Townsend on his P90s driven SG in this film show that they’re the greatest 4 piece in history. From Tommy to their early stuff they’re incredible and at 3 or 4 in the morning. A must see for that most pivotal moment in rock history. The king is dead. Long live the king. The Beatles gone. Long live the Who!
30yo beginner. My father plays accoustic and greatly admires Tommy Emmanuel. He had a go at electric when he was a teen before he realised he preferred accoustic. He introduced me to TYA when I was a teen. Once I decided to take up guitar Alvin Lee became an instant idol. 10 years after writing this I might be able to attempt it!
This is a great Introduction to the band Alvin Lee and "TEN YEARS AFTER". If you have not checked them out, now is the time to do so!!! I have original vinyl records from the 1970's that I bought brand new. This band rocks!!!
The tritone is the key to West Side Story's music. Check it out. It's brilliant. Alvin played "Goin' Home" at every gig for a few years after Woodstock and then decided to retire it and play new music. He was tired of it, but audiences specifically went to see him do it. When he didn't, they stopped going and he soon disappeared. That's a good show business lesson. If you are so fortunate as to be known for and become popular because of... whatever, never, repeat, never, stop doing it, or something very like it or retire from the business of show before empty theatres retire you. His lick is, indeed, a very impressive one. Hendrix admired him and that fast stuff, which he rarely if ever did.
Extremely underrated guitarist if repetitive at times, he used alot of the same licks in solos in other songs. "Love like a man" features alot of the licks in "I'd love to change the world". Check out "Let the sky fall" for Alvin on a strat. His collaboration with Gospel singer Mylon Lefevre On the road to freedom is another good album. The song "So Sad" by George Harrison featuring George and Ronnie Wood and Mick Fleetwood guesting, is a stand out track.
Great player. If you're going to play that fast, it ain't gonna be "thinking man's guitar." It all has to be simple, but he plays in the pocket so well. I'll check some of his other stuff. I like a lot of Alvin's work.
My band had a gig the weekend of Woodstock, a quick learn “Going Home” was our salute to what was happening @the festival in Bethel. …..Had the pleasure of seeing TYA a time or two shortly after in Europe.
Well all the guitarist you mention could play what Alvin did but that wasn't there style but beck can play anything and Jimmy page he can play anything Clapton well he definitely can play anything so I've been playing music for 60 years and have seen many bands and all these guys were and still are legends and master's of there craft Alvin Lee was a master man I loved him , I'm gon home was always one of the most loved TYA song long live TYA and Alvin Lee did you catch Alvin and Johnny Winters together on stage at Woodstock Epic peace bro
Great blues playing reminders. Alvin Lee also blew Hendrix's mind, from all reports from Woodstock. He was amazing, especially for the time, and one of the most underrated blues rock players ever. .......Love that you're doing it on an Epi Special.
... it IS amazing that anyone would think, would dare, to start a song at that pace, knowing that they would be still at that pace 11 minutes later. That's confidence. :) btw, any chance you're related the Zabels on Long Island, NY??? Odd, Don Z was a lifelong friend of mine, and taught me guitar in the early years... and here is another Mr. Z doing it.
I saw Alvin Lee at the Commodore Ballroom in 68! 1968. Lowell Massachusetts.. 400 people.. It was awesome.. He did the tooth thing.. I can barely remember!!!
Perhaps the greatest guitarist of the entire, what would later become known as the classic rock generation that no one ever seems to talk about. And boy what a sad commentary that is. Everytime the list of all-time greats of that era, especially from among the British Invasion bands, starts being thrown around, without fail at the front of the line can always be found the likes of Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Pete Townsend and yes even Jimi Hendrix. who after leaving the states, where he'd initially struggled early on in his career to build the kind of large following that he quickly found in the UK and other parts of Europe once he made the move to London. The names of great Irish pickers, Gary Moore & Rory Gallagher often get sprinkled into the mix as well. But rarely if ever does Alvin Lee's name make that list, or for that matter ever even get mentioned, and that completely bumfuzzles me? Alvin Lee was an incredible guitarist. Pure fireball in those lightning fast fingertips, and pure, natural, raw ability in his approach. A born and raised British rocker himself from Robin Hood country, Nottingham, England, that always seemed to be on the outside looking in. Alvin was incredibly gifted, having started out as a proficient jazz player before switching his genre' of playing to blues/blues rock, where he was equally as proficient. No one knew how talented Alvin Lee was any better than Jimi Hendrix himself, who often spoke about what an incredibly gifted guitarist he thought Alvin was. Any questions about how legit Alvin's playing was can be addressed by simply checking out his live performance with Ten Years After from Winterland Arena in San Francisco circa 1975 of the band's classic "I Can't Keep From Crying(Sometimes)". It's 20 minutes of what is possible with a guitar..............without the use of any foot pedals, wah/wah bars, fuzz boxes, or any other kind of gimicks of the day that were in use. He makes my top 5 list of all-time greats seven days a week and twice on Sunday.
Alvin Lee was Da Man !! My brother Gary Lewis was a drummer and I am so glad that he turned me on to TEN YEARS AFTER !! THAT WOODSTOCK PERFORMANCE WAS EPIC !!! Im Going Home To My Baby !!! AMAZING !!
That makes sense. Very similar styles - using blues licks directly, but amping them up a bit. Very aggressive. They didn't worry about hitting a wrong note or two or missing a few notes. My perfect idea of rock!
I was luck enough to see Ten Years After before Alvin passed, just an amazing player. The Woodstock performance of I'm Going Home is one of the most epic guitar performances.
Really useful lesson, thanks Mark. I’m not that familiar with Ten Years After but really like Love Like a Man. I think I need to do some more research as there are some great licks here 🎸
'A Space in Time' 'Cricklewood Green' are worth checking out (albums). Ltctworld is one of the first songs I learned on guitar. Open and Barr Chords. 10 at the time "Backbreakers" 🤠
Both Ritchie Blackmore and Alvin Lee were shredding faster and better than any other guitarist in the late sixties. I don't understand by Pages heartbreaker solo keeps geeting the attention. It's just a Am pentatonic.
Really, really good stuff - Woodstock was before my time, born in '60, but I'll never forget the first time I saw that footage - just gobsmacked. No one was playing like Alvin Lee back in '69.
Hey Mark, I was amazed as you watching Alvin play this, their set was my favorite from the concert. I'm just guessing but i would bet he had something to help him play that intense for10 minutes😄
LOL! You could be right, given the time, place and profession, but I believe Alvin and TYA were always intense on this one. I think it was their usual show-ender of the time. Whatever the case, it's amazing to me to this day.
He doesn't just play all out for ten minutes. He brings it WAY down in the middle, sings verses from old 50's classics a capella with just the crowd clapping along then gradually cranks it back up for the finish.
@Mark Zabel : I've only seen this Epiphone Les Paul (MIK) in this color scheme (Heritage Cherry Burst trimmed in black) and this body style (Thin, lightweight body) one other time. It's the one I have here at home! Mine is a 1999 model made in Korea and one difference between mine and yours is the truss rod cover. Yours has "Studio" printed on it in a cursive font but mine has "Gibson" in standard print in all capitals. I'd love to know if your serial number begins with I99xxxxxx as mine does. Great lesson, BTW, and keep on rockin'!
Hi and thanks! The guitar I'm using here is a 2002 (0201) made in Korea. I changed the pickups and electronics, but it's otherwise stock. Great guitar IMHO!
In ‘69 at Woodstock, Alvin Lee was the poster boy for the event. He was the energy, the emergence of blues into mainstream life, the in-yo-face power….
The soundtrack to woodstock was a record i stumbled upon when i was just a teenager. And i wasnt that impressed . Until im goin home came on. I been an Alvin Lee fan since that day
Blows my mind that people watched Woodstock and only concluded Jimi was the greatest guitarist in the world. Alvin Lee and Santana were also there killing it.
Thanks so much!! I'm playing through a Blackstar HT-5T. I'm not sure whether I used the lead channel with moderate gain or played through the clean channel and used an OD pedal with the gain dialed low. I used one of those 2 setups. Add a little reverb and you're good to go. The rest is fingers. Wish I had Alvin's!
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Great lesson-thanks.
Saw woodstock when it came out as a 13 year old just starting to play guitar-bloody hell-talk about jaw dropping-and he was just sooooooooooooo cool.Pity they didn't have you tube in 1969 as it would hav esaved me hours playing the vinyl album at 16rpm trying to work out what the hell he was playing-I never did!
Saw him live in 2004 at our local auditorium in the Uk on a bill with Edgar Winter and Tony McPhee (not bad eh?-)front row seats.He bowled on and did it all-Captain Speedfingers indeed-and of course finished with IGH with all the bits-marvellous.Great version on the TYA album "Undead" which is much jazzier and less histrionic than later versions.The TYA back catalogue is essential listening for any fan of this genre and some of his later solo stuff is truly excellent.Sadly missed.
What made that tune so powerful and memorable was the bass licks that accompanied the leads. Give it another listen.
Forgot to add, Alvin Lee had some of the best “guitar face” while killing it on stage in the movie. Who agrees?
Oh yeah, I definitely agree!
Word
Oh yes, HoF guitar-face for sure..
Absolutely, he's such an underrated guitarist, one of the great ones in my opinion
Totally agree, but he's no Robin Trower...))
So refreshing to hear someone give Alvin Lee some well deserved props. Lee was such an underrecognized guitarist. His work on the Shhhh album really influenced my style of playing a lot.
Glad you liked it! Alvin was awesome.
Shhh was TYA's best
This song blew me away the first time I heard it in the 70's. My friends and I would listen to this live version of "Im Going Home" every night. Alvin was the greatest unknown Guitarist in America! I still listen to the song and am astonished how great Alvin was!
Alvin Lee was from england
Me too, another hit that blew me away was
eruption by Van Halen..
Me too I was 10 or 12... What was the while helicopter phrase?
I'm going home by helicopter.
When I was a kid I thought they band was called helicopter.
I'm just now deciding everything and figuring out it was ten years after.. Only 40 years after I heard it. Lol
Spoke to Alvin a couple of times. Copying him is how I learned to play the guitar. Miss you Alvin. Ten Years After was my favorite band in the 70s Saw them several times. And I NEVER sold my guitar. Still have it.
Awesome! Take care.
'cause momma, that would be a sin.
@Alex Henry Garcia sorry I missed this awesome story! That's incredible that you got his harp!!
If it's a 335 ...Why would you?
Alvin Lee is the reason I began playing guitar 50 years ago. Thank you for the lifetime of enjoyment Alvin.
And to this day, there isn't a better live album than 'Ten Years After Recorded LIve', his tone and playing on that album is second to none!
same here.....:-).....and Jimmy Page and Hendrix of course.....
And a waaaay better version of "Going Home" on "Recorded Live" than this so so version at Woodstock (hey kids, that's what mushrooms will do to you-not be at your best).
OMG where have you people been hiding you are my long lost family ... Recorded Live ... YES YES YES ... I can't help from Cryin' Sometimes
I would not argue with you!
Agree 100% on the live album, "Ten Years After: Undead". Never sounded better; wonderful tone, absolutely at his peak. I had to follow Lee onstage TWICE at the Fillmore West. Took me years to find my ego again. The guy was on fire! (He did some later solo stuff that really rocked!)
I have always felt that Alvin Lee is the most underrated guitarist of all time, seriously. WATT, Cricklewood Green, About Time, just killer albums. I could go on RIP.
I saw them in Vancouver BC in 71’
First Big Concert for me !
Started with Love like a Man and finished with I’m going Home !👍
don't forget my favorite: 'rock & roll music to the world'.
For me, When Alvin announces “This is a thing called I’m Going Home by Helicopter” is the seminal moment of Woodstock. I was 15 years old in 69 and was completely blown away by Alvin’s performance. Sadly he passed away much too young. A real example of his Blues technique and prowess is demonstrated on his “ Bluest Blues” outro solo, it’s simply magnificent, it also features a very tasty slide solo done by George Harrison. Thanks for sharing this Mark!
I had a very similar reaction, though I was 3 in 1969, so I saw the movie with all its psychedelic effects. The four performances that really amazed me - besides Jimi who also impressed, but I kind of knew it was coming - were Santana, Joe Cocker, Richie Havens, and TYA. Havens and TYA were relatively unknown to me and both amazed me with the "leave it all onstage" energy they had. Being a guitar player, I was shocked by Alvin. It was rough, but always in the pocket. I never minded the roughness, like the best of Page, as long as it translated into drive. And that performance still does it for me!
I have to listen to "Bluest Blues" now! Thanks!!
@@MarkZabel I agree Mark, Carlos and the boys were on fire. We were still influenced by what was played on AM radio in 69. Although here in the NYC market AM was pretty progressive for the era. Still, I’d never heard anything like “Soul Sacrifice”, amazing for the time. I loved Cocker’s performance along with Havens. Jimi as usual was unparalleled.
My son is a grade school vice principle, a few years back they did a tribute to the 60’s and my son borrowed one of my amps and played Jimi’s version of the “Star Spangled Banner” for the entire school. He nailed it, I had it on video but it was accidentally deleted. Again thanks Mark, I thoroughly enjoy your channel and it’s proof you can teach an old dog new tricks!
@@MarkZabel You are all so right; I was impressed by all of them; and don’t forget The Who!!
Watched that performance many times as never really heard him say that. After reading your post I watched again and he sure does say it! I was 14 in 69! Can totally relate
Love how he’s picks up that big ole Mellon and exits the stage
I saw them at The Fillmore East and Alvin had 4 Marshall Stacks ! The sustain wes ENDLESS ! The entire group smoked - as well as the audience !
LOL at the last comment!
Me too, funny may have bumped shoulders with you.
I first heard this when I was 16 and went out bought a guitar and painstakingly learnt to play the guitar and play this. I'm 68 now and still playing it.
Great video, very well explained.
That's awesome! Thanks!
Gpod job Ray! im better at 71 than 35. started age 13
The most underrated English guitar player ever Alvin Lee.
Don't forget Paul Kossoff.
Sorry I'm giving it to Robin Trower
I agree. And did it without wah wah, delay, or octaver, chorus
Friggin love Alvin
Alvin lee? Rory Gallagher? Who is better? No one.
This has always been my favorite Woodstock performance. It's very cool that I get to wake up and my birthday and see THIS!! Thanks Mark!
Happy birthday! Glad you enjoyed it!
Alvin Lee was amazing
When I was a little kid in summer camp I would play this tune as loud as possible on my tape recorder/boom box and run around with my tennis racquet pretending to play…. Even as a kid of maybe 10 or 11 yrs old I knew how special Alvin Lee was!
Love it!
Alvin Lee was an underrated guitar player. Take a listen to Ten Years After's Space in Time. I consider it one of the top rock n roll albums of the 1960's. It totally rocks from beginning to end.
Jeff Oregon 1971 but who cares, great album, toss up for me between space in time and cricklewood green. Shame on r&r hof.
@@frederickvanpelt6393 I stand corrected. Thanks for pointing that out. I was just guessing and thought it was 68 or 69.
Jeff Oregon, wasn't sure myself, Googled it. Seems like the 60's were from '65- '75 in my mind. So many memories of great music.
That was the "sell out" LP - TYA was always on Deram the cheap label of Decca Records but after Woodstock they succumbed to the Corporate CBS money and lost the edge forever. CBS manages to get ONE hit off the record - the very stupid I'd Love To Change The World where poor out of date Alvin rails against "dikes and fairies" - ouch Alvin. They never were heard of again. I can dig you dig Space In Time but by no means is it a good TYA LP - get a copy of Watt or Ssssh (or even Stonehenged w/Hear Me Calling) and there is no comparison UNLESS you like that glossy CBS I'd Love To stuff - but that's not real TYA, imo. 🎸
@@frederickvanpelt6393 watt
Perfect, a fantastic riff......and Alvin Lee, a kind of under appreciated guitar player...... own all the TYA albums and his solo albums.
Absolutely great riff! It works great in a slow blues ... at 1/2 or 3/4 speed it's phenomenal. That's why it's great to learn even though we'll never play it at Alvin's 1,000,000 mph.
The idea of using the octave is super-useful also. Instant theme in a solo. Play, play up an octave, play again, play down an octave, play again and end. Nothing to it. Just need one idea for a whole solo. Great device.
Alvin was a great player. TYA never got all that much traction in the US other than "I'd Love to Change The World". They played good music.
@@MarkZabel hundred percent it works everywhere and whatever speed or temperature should I say
Alvin Lee was the highlight at Woodstock 69 .
Alvin Lee was always one of my favorite guitarists. 🎸 His performance at Woodstock is legendary. Some of the fastest fingers ever to play a guitar. 🎸
R. I. P. Alvin Lee
Alvin Lee is underrated. He's in the top 3 🎸 players
Great player!
He's up there, certainly for blues based guitar rock. I know I was blown away the first time I heard him as a teen.
Alvin Lee was a World Musical treasure you'll never see the likes of him again
I've been forcing people to watch Alvin's intro to "Goin' Home" since there were smart phones. Cool lesson Mark.
Thanks! LOL, good man. Alvin ruled!
And...let us not forget Alvin was ALSO singing as well...
I too soooo many years ago seeing the movie for the first time was astounded by him, the band, and that song. I still am. Legend.
Thanks for the lesson Mark. As a member of the Woodstock Generation, I found TYA the most electrifying act.
You're welcome Mark. Thanks for watching!
Alvin Lee was one the greatest and most underrated guitarist of a generation filled with the greatest guitarist of all time.
Ten Years After anthem song "I'd love to change the world" also defined the Woodstock Generation and Alvin's haunting licks and opening chords make the song instantly recognizable.
yes
and Help me too and last song blues blue
Good point Holly Wood! Alvin wasn't particularly crazy about "I'D LOVE TO CHANGE THE WORLD' as he thought it was too poppy but did it to satisfy his record label. However, I totally agree with you with regard to the haunting licks and opening chords. A spectacular song that is just so timeless. It is literally criminal that he is so under rated and passed over by guys that couldn't do half of what he did..!!!
On thanksgivin 2023 by chance my cousin on harp and me on unplugged Gretsch 6120 out in the cold and dark playn Love To Change the World . our first ever jam in old age. Ive loved that song 4 ever but the words? yikes.....
Your so right, seen the movie when it came out was about 13, so many great performances, but Alvin lee for sure stuck in my head it is still at amazing, you do a great job on this lick, thanks
Thank you Jim!
That sounded awesome. The execution and your specific guitar - it all came together perfectly
Thanks brother!
I like "Going Home" and the Woodstock performance was historical. But after 50 years of listening to Ten Years After, I believe Mr. Lee's best song is his live cover of "Help Me". His electric interpretation of that blues classic is stunning and one of the greatest concert jams in history.
What about Woodchoppers Ball From the Undead live LP? th-cam.com/video/8JTFNiJQGiY/w-d-xo.html
Or, I Cant Keep From Cryin Sometimes???
i agree, the entire fillmore concert in 1970 was one of the greatest examples of guitar playing ive ever heard, stamina alone'..incredible...i get worn out just listening....that rendition oh ..help me...ive listened to now for over 50 yrs.. and im still amazed!!!
...
slow blues in c
Alvin Lee was one of the greatest guitar legends to ever hit the stage. I love all his music, but especially his “Freefall” album. It was a sad day when he passed.
I had the distinct pleasure of seeing the great Alvin Lee with Ten Years After, at an outdoor summer concert in 1975. He was absolutely amazing, and I will never forget it.
After Woodstock, they asked Jimi Hendrix about the performances and he mentioned Alvin as perhaps the best performance and stated Alvin's band Ten Years After sounded great. I think Alvin actually thought the other songs they played were stronger and I'm Going Home was more of a fun boggie. But, I'm Going Home was a lot of fun to hear and see in the movie and it became their most iconic song.
Thanks for the info!
I've been a Hendrix fanatic since 1972-- I've read all the books, read countless interviews, countless articles, countless retrospectives on his career-- and like similar stories about Jimi raving about Terry Kath/Rory Gallagher-- I've never read anything about him commenting on ANY band at Woodstock, much less TYA. Cite your source or join the "anecdotal crowd."
@@shootfirst2097 That's a shame, cuz I've seen TYA about 6/7 times over the years--- Always a great show!!!! Leo Lyons was underated, and is a great bass player, and to even be able to keep up with Alvin was amazing... The solo in I Can't Keep From Crying Sometimes is unmatched!!!!!!!
@@shootfirst2097 Jan.1970 interview with Cream magazine: Hendrix said ," ...of the 3 days of music that was played there, NO ONE outplayed Alvin Lee. Alvin put on a guitar clinic for the ages during TYA's set at Woodstock. I really respect Alvin's ability and how easily it comes to him when he picks up his guitar to be able to play rock, blues, jazz, or whatever. Guitarists just don't come any better than Alvin, and I'm fortunate to count him as a good friend". End quote very badem.
@@armandbasilico9002 No link to the source, it didn't happen. Anybody can SAY anything. Jimi, in interviews, really didn't get into detail about other bands, much less rave in such explicit terms about individual musicians. Other people say the same thing about him raving about Rory Gallagher or Terry Kath. I've never seen proof of any of THOSE claims, either. If somebody had Lexus Nexus, they could probably look into this supposed interview. Lexus Nexus costs about $6,000 a year for s subscription.
IMO, this is the best guitar lick ever! It's so crude, electric and full of life. This, my friend, is what set the standard!!
If you ask me, Alvin Lee's performance at Woodstock was the highlight of the show. I actually saw him at a small club in Boston called The Channel in the early 80's and he hadn't lost a thing.
As iconic as Alvin Lee's performance was a Woodstock, it was his playing on Ten Years After's "Woodchopper's Ball" album that first caught my attention.
Thanks for the Alvin school’in , i was lucky enough to catch a few ten years after shows in my day, definitely one of best
My pleasure. They were just a bit before my day, so seeing the Woodstock film was the best I could do. Never caught Alvin live. Glad you were able to!
For me one of the best performances of all time . great days . Peace and love , simple and easy to remember.
Lived in the Bay Area for 2 years (1971-73) and the only act I went to the Fillmore West for was Ten Years After. I had very high expectations and Alvin Lee surpassed them all. Has to be the greatest unknown/underrated guitarist of all time and maybe without the modifiers.
Very cool!
I love when he’s all done and somebody rolls a watermelon on stage, Alvin throws it up on his shoulder a exits! Truly awesome
I forgot about that!
@@MarkZabel well I never really heard him say I’m going home.. by helicopter till I read that post by Edge Mo, back checked the video and he sure does say it!
@@graysaw oh yeah, definitely says that at the beginning. They were flown in by helicopter and I always thought that's what he meant - they were going home by helicopter as well.
He did indeed 'Change the World' !!!
That performance was epic, Mark. And so is your master lesson. Thanks.
Wow, thanks Gerardo! Glad you enjoyed it!
You are right, Alivin Lee blew me away with his lightning fast licks!! He captured our imagination with that dynamic performance at Woodstock. Bravo! Great tutorial 👏👏👏👏
Thanks Mark!
@@MarkZabel you're very welcome sir!
You are now a friend for life! I'm about to put Alvin Lee stickers on a Grote 335, but it's matte red.
Wow, that's awesome. And using a Grote to add the stickers ... makes sense for sure.
I was 13 in 1969, and I believe the movie actually came out in 1970 (correct me if I'm wrong) but I clearly remember watching Alvin Lee absolutely blow me away for almost 10 minutes. That was a life changing moment in my life, and I learned guitar and bass guitar after that; not in the style of TYA, but that's what inspired me. I must say that Leo Lyon was equally impressive on bass and should be lauded for his contribution to this song.
Yes, I think it came out in 1970. I was 4 at the time, so saw the movie later. I knew of "Change The World", but didn't make the connection until then. Didn't see it coming!
I was 16 in '69 and went to see Woodstock twice within 3 weeks at my local cinema. Seeing Alvin Lee and Leo Lyons ripping it up omg ! Still get goosebumps now seeing that clip.
@@MarkZabel How wierd of you. It was 1978 in high school at 17 when my friend introduced me to Alvin with a cassette recording. TYA was on the B roll so most highlight reels were much bigger names.
@@dartek14I'm not sure what is weird about it. I saw the regular Woodstock movie, probably around 1980 or 1981 on VHS. Alvin and TYA are in the movie. It's not b-roll. I did not see him at Woodstock itself, as I was 4 years old at the time.
@@MarkZabel I am suggesting that the editors who cut all the sets down to a single performance, TYA made the cut, Which is awesome enuf in itself. My perception of all the talk in the day and a couple years after and the LP 1970 which is all anybody had it still took years for us guitar freaks to discover Alvin, Cause everybody was talking about Jimi and Carlos, and Pete. Then in 85 I heard Texas Flood the first time. But that is another convo .. cheers.
This performance changed my life as a teenager just learning to play lead in the early nineties. The sixties and seventies were making a big comeback due to eighties hard rock and metal bands name-dropping their influences, and movies like "The Doors" and "Dazed & Confused". I found an old VHS of Woodstock for rent at a hole in the wall video store, and like you said, got excited about Hendrix.
Once I saw Alvin, I was like "Jimi who?"
I never had a chance to sit down and cop these licks note-for-note, but they rang in my head forever after, and still do, so that I was always aiming and reaching for that energy, feel, fluidity.
Yes, exactly! I never got to "Jimi who" (still my all-time favorite), but I know what you mean! The raw energy and how he still made it swing at that tempo, AND that he was completely unknown to me - all of that added up to "Whoa!"
Glad this video could help bring that memory back. Sounds like a great one!
Alvin Lee is easily one of the top 10 guitarists in the world!
Lol, what?
Very cool seeing you play and review this tune. It's absolutely one of my favorite songs ever. And also great playing and tone. Keep it up dude🤘🏻
Glad you enjoy it Erik! Such an awesome performance from Alvin on it!
@@MarkZabel Hey Mark thanks for answering. Very cool for me. I've been watching your videos since the first day of playing guitar. Keep making these great videos. Greetings from Germany, Erik.
I can dig it.
12 in '69.
Bud wanted to play after seeing TYA live. Ultimately, a better player than me.
I totally agree Alvin Lee was always a monster and he played a few songs with Johnny Winters at Woodstock Hendrix loved Alvin's energy ,I'm gon home. Yah
I loved seeing all the hippies stand in awe when Sha-na-na played the music of their youth...good times. But Ten Years After did indeed rock their socks off!!
Keep in mind that I'm Going Home was the final song in Ten Years After's set at Woodstock and Alvin had played like this throughout that set. Leo Lyons on bass was very good too and entertaining to watch. Hendrix, Clapton, Page, Beck, etc sucked all of the oxygen out of the room but Alvin Lee, Kim Simmonds & Rory Gallagher were all as good as the ones that got all of the attention. Alvin's speed was beyond belief but equally impressive was just his fluid lines that he played so effortlessly. Check out the concert videos of Ten Year After Live At The Marquee - amazing
Yeah, great stuff Live At the Marquee.
Hmmm...uhm...what about SANTANA Soul Sacrifice?
@@happyteej6600 yeah, Santana gave a great performance. Shocking at the time? Not for me, because I knew about Santana.
ok, just Ten Years After was not a surprise to me either. Heard their covers of Spoonful and Help Me like a year or two before Woodstock
Jeff Beck didn't make it to Woodstock, he disbanded the Jeff Beck Group the night before they were to take the stage. Nor did Clapton or Page. Bummer, eh?
AMAZING not one BLOODY comment about Hendrix How great this is to see ALVIN LEE AND TEN YEARS AFTER were the HIGHLIGHT OF Woodstock WITH OUT A DOUBT..!!!!!
Wasn't Alvin Lee a neighbor of George Harrison? I believe Harrison used Alvin Lee on a couple of his albums? Well in 1969 when Woodstock arrived I was 15 years old. I purchased the three record set album Woodstock after it was released. This album was jam-packed with great musicians, but unquestionably the musician I remember most was Alvin Lee when he blistered that concert with his tune "I'm Goin' Home.", to this day it is my favorite song from Woodstock. I couldn't believe how lightning fast Alvin Lee's fingers were on this tune. Eddie Van Halen who?? LOL.
@@randycoursey7230 YES he did also a friend to George played on The ALVIN LEE and MYLON LEFEVRE Album under the name of HARI GEOGSON your right there were many great acts on Woodstock but TEN YEARS AFTER were the HIGHLIGHT...THAT'S FOR SURE.
@@mickchilly1112
Alvin Lee hardly ever gets mentioned today. So many people consider Jimi Hendrix the greatest guitarist of all. But they never mention Alvin Lee. Some will say Clapton, some will say Page, some will say Jeff Beck, personally I'll take George Harrison. I don't believe you got to be a flashy fast finger guitarist to be a great guitarist, George Harrison proved this. And he went out with a bang with his last album Brainwashed.
@@randycoursey7230 Always liked George's music your right about Hendrix and all the BULLSHIT that surrounds him doesn't rate with me..As you mentioned there's a lot out there better before Hendrix come along that were more talented..an ALVIN..GEORGE AND JEFF. are just a few of them.
@UCZsVbujW89O-BELk25jQFiA
Well some of Harrison's early work is really good. The anthology 1 album or CD is really good. And of course Harrison's contributions on Abbey Road are very good.
Something, Here Comes the Sun, Octopus's Garden. Harrison really outdid itself on Richard starkey's tune Octopus's Garden. The guitar playing is nothing short of brilliant. And of course the Let It Be sessions where Harrison played the guitar on his song I Me Mine, the McCartney song Let It Be, the album version lead is very stinging and precise. My brother really loved 10 years after and Alvin Lee. I'm wondering what happened to Alvin Lee?
Saw Ten Years After near 50 years ago at the Montreal Forum. They were a last minute replacement for Fleetwood Mac (Brit blues band back then), nobody complained! ‘I’m Going Home’ was the encore tune: electrifying!
Perfectly fluid and accurate and fast as hell. Alvin was Killer!
He really was!
Oh man, I remember that performance so well! I was in high school when I saw the movie late at night with my parents actually. I had never heard of Ten Years After before that and was simply blown away. Alvin Lee was a monster and he single handedly make me think the ES3xx guitar type was cool. Thanks for such an awesome lesson Mark!
Sure thing! Glad you enjoyed the lesson and it brought back good memories!
Thanks for showing us this lovely lick! You're magnificent, Mark! I can always count you for some great lessons! Take care!🤘❤🤘
You're very welcome Hitek. As always, thanks for watching and for the kind comment!
Saw Alvin Lee and Mick Taylor in the early mid 80’s open for either the Kinks or Black Sabbath or someone. Alvin kicked ass on “Im going home” i do recall that.
Thank you for this tribute to Alvin Lee. I've always believed he was, arguably, the greatest rock guitarist ever.
My pleasure. Thanks for watching!
Yes, Alvin Lee was insane at Woodstock and even faster than Hendrix! His riffs in I'm going home "were non stop, powerful and commanding as well. A real jaw dropper!
Ummmm, everybody knows Hendrix was NOT fast. Not at all considered fast. A few "quick licks " maybe, but come on man! Maybe you should say, Clapton cuz Clapton was the "fast guy" at the time that maybe could rival Alvin's fastness {Man, I need to stop correcting all you people. It takes way too much of my time, I mean, am I really this much more in tune to what the f*ck is going on?..}
Great lesson Mark! I was fortunate enough to see Alvin open for Kansas in 1980. High freakin energy, that's for sure.
Thanks! Very cool! Yes, super-high energy!
that is sad it should be the other way around
Great lesson - I am 50 so I first saw the movie when I was a sophmore in HS. I had my guitar teacher show me this lick. I agree, killer track and performance from the movie. Stole the show really. Probably the best guitar moment in the 3 day concert I bet (but I was not there). Thanks for posting. Gonna check out the other vids now :)
Thanks Jeff!
Great solo for sure.... Alvin Lee himself thought his playing that night was pretty sloppy and I have to agree that compared to studio recordings, it is a little loose, but the ambience was everything. He did add he had a lot of fun. Probably one of the best guitarists ever. Always played the exact right 8 notes when only one would do. So fast.
Yes, it's all energy and speed. It totally worked for the occasion IMHO. Personally, I admire the player who chooses the 1 right note, like BB, more. But for Alvin to still swing with - well, it was amazing to watch and hear.
And I also read where he criticized his play that night. Nah, it was one for the ages. I'm with Greg Koch in reveling in the slop a bit to get the extra grit. It fit the moment for sure.
Raw and awesome !
I’m going to be 79 in a few weeks, so been listening to this performance for over 50 years. At least 100 times. Never gets old.
I made it my mission to learn this song when I was 16 and everyone in my high school was talking about Alvin Lee. Next thing you know, I had crowds of kids sitting around me whenever I sat with my guitar on the school grounds. At the time it felt like a milestone. Then came Jimi and I had to reach another plateau 🙄
saw Alvin Lee at my local concert hall in Australia back in the 80s. He and the Georgia Satellites were both second liners to a local band. AL played his signature blues rock tunes, but at medium speed, and he was sensationally good. Absolutely perfect delivery with no guitar face dramas - looked like you would doing a crossword puzzle and having a cup of tea!
Alvin was one of my 1st guitar heroes - used to hear them at the Boston Tea Party back in '70-1. Later I realized Captain Speedfingers really only played the same 4 or 5 go-to licks in ALL his lead breaks. Check out their early Live album called Undead, done so long ago that Alvin is sporting a Hendrix Fro like a lot of white copycats did at the time (Clapton's 'fro was hilarious looking) and you will hear every lick in his arsenal including this Goin' Home lick which song is also on the LP but on other songs too like Woodchoppers Ball on same LP. For that reason only I had to knock Alvin down a few pegs when I grew older and got better, but I still have a soft spot for him and his Big Red which I almost bought the re-issue of until a moment of sanity saved me from the 10 Grr price tag. You can find a video on YT of Ten Years After with Alvin playing a Strat!!!! SACRILEDGE!! Now THAT was rare !!! Fun fact: Alvin did a solo LP with Mylon LeFevre on which George Harrison donated a song So Sad (the patti splitting). Turns out they had a gang - the Thames Valley Gang because they all lived sort of near each other - George, Alvin, Ron Wood, Jon Lord from Deep Purple - jam buddies. RIP Al, you died for a DUMB reason not of your fault way too soon. 🎸 🎸 🎸 🎸 🎸 🎸 🎸 🎸 🎸
You're my new best friend but I gotta know ... what routine procedure killed Alvin? Plastic Surgery? Complete robbery since he was still fast. Yes Alvin was my inspiration for playing and I finally bought a Gibson Semi but it was the 345 Cherry. made in Kalamazoo.
@@dartek14 From wiki: He died from "unforeseen complications following a routine surgical procedure" to correct an atrial arrhythmia. I note that some cat in Russia is selling a sticker kit with every decal on Big Red wicked accurate for you to slap on any red 335 (with a Strat pup wired in between the buckers!)
Love 345's, Kalamazoo made SGs and old Epiphones - Alvin forever !!! 🎸
The “On the road to Freedom” album was my top favorite album for decades. Still love it.
Absolutely fantastic performance where a guitarist plugs straight in and burns!! 🔥
I heard Alvin say that he could play even much faster, Marc you're right Alvin blew me away at Woodstock
he was playing a station wagon (es335).imagine if he had todays shred guitars (esp, parker fly ect.)
@@twigd3825 I used to own a station wagon
also LOL...
Yes , and today's guitars have lower actions , which aids speed....he was very special indeed .
Thank you. Alvin Lee is the most underrated guitarist of all time. A virtuoso far ahead of his time, ripped off by everyone, and then gone. An amazing legend. That said, the greatest jaw dropping takeaway from the Woodstock movie is the now reconstructed set by the Who which you can see pieced together using film and video on TH-cam. They blew everyone off the stage and sound so great. People claim Pete Townsend was not a great player. He was always a composer first, and second to none at that, but the Who with Pete Townsend on his P90s driven SG in this film show that they’re the greatest 4 piece in history. From Tommy to their early stuff they’re incredible and at 3 or 4 in the morning. A must see for that most pivotal moment in rock history. The king is dead. Long live the king. The Beatles gone. Long live the Who!
My pleasre.
The TRUE GUITAR GOD.
R.I.P. MR. LEE.
YOU'RE MISSED.
30yo beginner. My father plays accoustic and greatly admires Tommy Emmanuel. He had a go at electric when he was a teen before he realised he preferred accoustic. He introduced me to TYA when I was a teen. Once I decided to take up guitar Alvin Lee became an instant idol.
10 years after writing this I might be able to attempt it!
Very cool!
Thanks for the lesson Mark! Really impressive! Happy New Year Love ❤ Kris IL
Happy new year Kris! Looking forward to a great 2022!
Saw Alvin in Chicago in 1970, he could literally play rings around Hendrix or anybody else at the time
This is a great Introduction to the band Alvin Lee and "TEN YEARS AFTER". If you have not checked them out, now is the time to do so!!! I have original vinyl records from the 1970's that I bought brand new. This band rocks!!!
Great band for sure!
@@MarkZabel thanks to Mark Z. for introducing Alvin Lee to so many who don't know him or his phenomenal chops!!!
Saw Ten Years After perform in Florida. Alvin Lee was one of the best guitarists ever. He didn’t get the recognition and accolades he deserved.
dude you played that really well. Thanks for the lesson!!
Thanks brother!
The tritone is the key to West Side Story's music. Check it out. It's brilliant.
Alvin played "Goin' Home" at every gig for a few years after Woodstock and then decided to retire it and play new music. He was tired of it, but audiences specifically went to see him do it. When he didn't, they stopped going and he soon disappeared.
That's a good show business lesson. If you are so fortunate as to be known for and become popular because of...
whatever, never, repeat, never, stop doing it, or something very like it or retire from the business of show before empty theatres retire you.
His lick is, indeed, a very impressive one. Hendrix admired him and that fast stuff, which he rarely if ever did.
Extremely underrated guitarist if repetitive at times, he used alot of the same licks in solos in other songs. "Love like a man" features alot of the licks in "I'd love to change the world". Check out "Let the sky fall" for Alvin on a strat. His collaboration with Gospel singer Mylon Lefevre On the road to freedom is another good album. The song "So Sad" by George Harrison featuring George and Ronnie Wood and Mick Fleetwood guesting, is a stand out track.
Yep, I have that On the road to freedom album, it's a good one.
Great player. If you're going to play that fast, it ain't gonna be "thinking man's guitar." It all has to be simple, but he plays in the pocket so well. I'll check some of his other stuff. I like a lot of Alvin's work.
My band had a gig the weekend of Woodstock, a quick learn “Going Home” was our salute to what was happening @the festival in Bethel. …..Had the pleasure of seeing TYA a time or two shortly after in Europe.
Awesome!
To me, this was a perfect guitar performance. And yeah, he was singing while playing all these insane licks, in perfect time. Legendary!
A saw Alvin Lee back in 68, he was playing a small club in our shared hometown, Nottingham. Jesus! He could shift the gears even then, electrifying.
Neat!
Alvin Lee is the most under-rated guitar player of his generation. Easily in Clapton, Page or Beck's league and maybe better.
Definitely superior to clapton and page... Beck is in a different league
@@mikespurgeon3345 Agreed
picked up the guitar @ 13 and three years later he was gigging. Amazing !
Well all the guitarist you mention could play what Alvin did but that wasn't there style but beck can play anything and Jimmy page he can play anything Clapton well he definitely can play anything so I've been playing music for 60 years and have seen many bands and all these guys were and still are legends and master's of there craft Alvin Lee was a master man I loved him , I'm gon home was always one of the most loved TYA song long live TYA and Alvin Lee did you catch Alvin and Johnny Winters together on stage at Woodstock Epic peace bro
And Rory G?
Great blues playing reminders. Alvin Lee also blew Hendrix's mind, from all reports from Woodstock. He was amazing, especially for the time, and one of the most underrated blues rock players ever. .......Love that you're doing it on an Epi Special.
Thanks! Yes, this Epi is a wonderfully made guitar ... and it's 6.5 lbs, so I can still play it at a gig!
I will never ever understand why Alvin Lee never appears in anybodys top 10 guitarists, the dude was awesome!
... it IS amazing that anyone would think, would dare, to start a song at that pace, knowing that they would be still at that pace 11 minutes later. That's confidence. :) btw, any chance you're related the Zabels on Long Island, NY??? Odd, Don Z was a lifelong friend of mine, and taught me guitar in the early years... and here is another Mr. Z doing it.
Hey Paul. It's possible I'm related, but I doubt it. Zabel is a fairly common surname ... at least for Zs!
@@MarkZabel ... oh well... not so common in these parts... just the one family. :)
@@paulshepherd9528 It was worth a shot!! 😀
I saw Alvin Lee at the Commodore Ballroom in 68! 1968.
Lowell Massachusetts.. 400 people.. It was awesome.. He did the tooth thing.. I can barely remember!!!
Perhaps the greatest guitarist of the entire, what would later become known as the classic rock generation that no one ever seems to talk about. And boy what a sad commentary that is. Everytime the list of all-time greats of that era, especially from among the British Invasion bands, starts being thrown around, without fail at the front of the line can always be found the likes of Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Pete Townsend and yes even Jimi Hendrix. who after leaving the states, where he'd initially struggled early on in his career to build the kind of large following that he quickly found in the UK and other parts of Europe once he made the move to London. The names of great Irish pickers, Gary Moore & Rory Gallagher often get sprinkled into the mix as well. But rarely if ever does Alvin Lee's name make that list, or for that matter ever even get mentioned, and that completely bumfuzzles me? Alvin Lee was an incredible guitarist. Pure fireball in those lightning fast fingertips, and pure, natural, raw ability in his approach. A born and raised British rocker himself from Robin Hood country, Nottingham, England, that always seemed to be on the outside looking in. Alvin was incredibly gifted, having started out as a proficient jazz player before switching his genre' of playing to blues/blues rock, where he was equally as proficient. No one knew how talented Alvin Lee was any better than Jimi Hendrix himself, who often spoke about what an incredibly gifted guitarist he thought Alvin was. Any questions about how legit Alvin's playing was can be addressed by simply checking out his live performance with Ten Years After from Winterland Arena in San Francisco circa 1975 of the band's classic "I Can't Keep From Crying(Sometimes)". It's 20 minutes of what is possible with a guitar..............without the use of any foot pedals, wah/wah bars, fuzz boxes, or any other kind of gimicks of the day that were in use. He makes my top 5 list of all-time greats seven days a week and twice on Sunday.
Alvin Lee was Da Man !! My brother Gary Lewis was a drummer and I am so glad that he turned me on to TEN YEARS AFTER !! THAT WOODSTOCK PERFORMANCE WAS EPIC !!! Im Going Home To My Baby !!!
AMAZING !!
Jimmy Page admired Alvin Lee very much from what I have read.
That makes sense. Very similar styles - using blues licks directly, but amping them up a bit. Very aggressive. They didn't worry about hitting a wrong note or two or missing a few notes. My perfect idea of rock!
I was luck enough to see Ten Years After before Alvin passed, just an amazing player. The Woodstock performance of I'm Going Home is one of the most epic guitar performances.
Really useful lesson, thanks Mark. I’m not that familiar with Ten Years After but really like Love Like a Man. I think I need to do some more research as there are some great licks here 🎸
Glad it was helpful! Yes, TYA and Alvin were quite good. "Love Like a Man" is a great tune. Thanks for watching!
'A Space in Time' 'Cricklewood Green' are worth checking out (albums). Ltctworld is one of the first songs I learned on guitar. Open and Barr Chords. 10 at the time "Backbreakers" 🤠
Thx you're the first who plays it right and with feeling !!!!
Thanks Heinz!
Both Ritchie Blackmore and Alvin Lee were shredding faster and better than any other guitarist in the late sixties. I don't understand by Pages heartbreaker solo keeps geeting the attention. It's just a Am pentatonic.
Really, really good stuff - Woodstock was before my time, born in '60, but I'll never forget the first time I saw that footage - just gobsmacked. No one was playing like Alvin Lee back in '69.
Thanks Tim! So you know *exactly* how I felt too!
Hey Mark, I was amazed as you watching Alvin play this, their set was my favorite from the concert. I'm just guessing but i would bet he had something to help him play that intense for10 minutes😄
LOL! You could be right, given the time, place and profession, but I believe Alvin and TYA were always intense on this one. I think it was their usual show-ender of the time. Whatever the case, it's amazing to me to this day.
Watching Leo Lyons on the bass is a hoot. He makes Alvin look like he's on sedatives, lol.
I might dispute this. As I recall Alvin did not participate in R&R excesses. Could be wrong tho'.
He doesn't just play all out for ten minutes. He brings it WAY down in the middle, sings verses from old 50's classics a capella with just the crowd clapping along then gradually cranks it back up for the finish.
@Mark Zabel : I've only seen this Epiphone Les Paul (MIK) in this color scheme (Heritage Cherry Burst trimmed in black) and this body style (Thin, lightweight body) one other time.
It's the one I have here at home! Mine is a 1999 model made in Korea and one difference between mine and yours is the truss rod cover. Yours has "Studio" printed on it in a cursive font but mine has "Gibson" in standard print in all capitals. I'd love to know if your serial number begins with I99xxxxxx as mine does. Great lesson, BTW, and keep on rockin'!
Hi and thanks! The guitar I'm using here is a 2002 (0201) made in Korea. I changed the pickups and electronics, but it's otherwise stock. Great guitar IMHO!
In ‘69 at Woodstock, Alvin Lee was the poster boy for the event. He was the energy, the emergence of blues into mainstream life, the in-yo-face power….
The soundtrack to woodstock was a record i stumbled upon when i was just a teenager.
And i wasnt that impressed . Until im goin home came on.
I been an Alvin Lee fan since that day
Yeah! Lots of of other acts impressed me (E.g., Richie Havens), but definitely TYA stood out!
@@MarkZabel ya richie havens was cool csny too but ten years after had a ton of energy ...as a guitar player i was hooked
Blows my mind that people watched Woodstock and only concluded Jimi was the greatest guitarist in the world. Alvin Lee and Santana were also there killing it.
Great lesson Mark. Really captured Alvin's technique as well as his sound. What are you playing the Epi through? And pedals? Thanks!
Thanks so much!! I'm playing through a Blackstar HT-5T. I'm not sure whether I used the lead channel with moderate gain or played through the clean channel and used an OD pedal with the gain dialed low. I used one of those 2 setups. Add a little reverb and you're good to go. The rest is fingers. Wish I had Alvin's!
Saw this Band do this song 3 times in their hay day! A truly great show all three times.