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So let's have a look at this subject matter once
again. I was quite excited about the current TYA
line up, and what I have seen and heard from this
new band line up. Actually they really impressed me
once again when I saw them at the "Würth"
Open Air Festival this Summer, although the sound
was not 100% perfect (the guitar was too quiet and
not near loud enough for my taste).
With "Roadworks" - it reminds me of the
Cricklewood Green song "Working On The
Road" - the band released their first
"real live album". Although there was a
previous album released called "One Night
Jammed" but this effort was more like a quick
effort in order to present their new guitarist and
singer Joe Gooch to the audience.
Everyone who has seen the band perform live on stage
in the last few years knows that they are really
into the music they play and love what they're doing,
that no one would have ever expected. With Ric Lee
on the drums and Leo Lyons on the bass, the group /
band offers one of the best rhythm sections in the
area of Blues Rock.
Chick Churchill and Joe Gooch are able to join in or
fall back at will, with little effort involved.
A good example of this interaction is on the song
"King Of The Blues" with its Texas-Shuffle
originally from their previous album called
"NOW". Joe and Chick are able to take off
in a splendid and magnificent way. The sound is much
better than on "One Night Jammed".
It's another positive experience that Joe Gooch's
vocals are much more of a raw nature, and it fits in
much better with the style of Ten Years After. The
lead / solo passages are unique and first class.
My Goodness, when Joe starts letting loose, the
stage is on fire, and this directly stimulates his
band mates so much, that you can witness it for
yourself.
Whether Chick Churchill is fireing off some quick
piano runs, or Leo Lyons is involved in a very
intense bass and lead guitar duel with Joe Gooch,
it's all highly motivated and high energy. It's
incredible what Leo does on his bass guitar.
"When It All Falls Down" is one of my
favorite numbers on the "NOW" cd, and when
it's performed live on stage, it's even better. It's
really enjoyable to listen to Chick and Joe jamming
together on the driving rock rhythm of this song.
Of course "Working On The Road" is
included on this new live cd, and the audience or cd
listeners are happy to hear the gallopping song once
again. This song would be a great opener for this
album.
Of course Joe's playing contains a lot of the well
known Trademark- Licks and Riffs from Alvin Lee, but
neither Joe nor we can ignore this fact as they
belong to the legend of TEN YEARS AFTER. It's
important to point out that Joe doesn't copy,
because he's too talented and has his own ideas.
Ric's drum solo Hobbit is an amazing piece of music.
Normally I don't care much for drum solos in general,
and also less for them on cd, but Ric Lee's playing
keeps my attention. Hats off to Mr. Lee. I can't
help myself, but this cd is very enjoyable, and
after the rock and roll number "Living It
Up" I am looking forward to hearing the second
cd in this set.
The first song on the second cd is "Love Like A
Man" which keeps the musical pot boiling along.
For sure you get more solos until the cd player is
shimmering with sparks. On their last tour they
introduced a new number with accoustic guitar,
"I'd Love To Change The World". The song
starts out a little bit folk style, but soon turns
into a real guitar eruption, where Joe shines once
again.
Another pair of songs from their last studio album
are "Time To Kill" and "Reasons Why".
With regards to the first song, the intro reminds me
of NAZARETH. Their member Manny Charlton was good at
starting songs in the same manner with feedback. It
seems that they have gotten away from their blues
roots but the solos are what the audience enjoys and
keeps them interested.
After "I Can't Keep From Crying" which
last just over fifteen minutes, and begins and ends
with a soulful bluesy riff, the atmosphere is on
fire once again.
Joe Gooch offers up some riffs from his jazz bag and
when the band is really cooking they quote numerous
musical colleagues in a competent and qualified way,
like CREAM, to HENDRIX, to AEROSMITH, and DEEP
PURPLE, and because the riffs are brief, they're
enjoyable and the band refrains from any self
gradification in this area. Of course the song
"I'm Going Home" is never far away and is
coming up next.
As an encore they played one of their new songs,
instead of one of their classic numbers as many
would have expected. This truly shows self
confidence along with self reliance, Actually, this
song is perfect to end the show with, because it
turns up the power once again, in order to drive the
not so young ? audience into a new euphoria. Their
request for Choo-Choo Mama, is acknowledged by the
band as they start again on full throttle and heart
pumping. If you are a Rory Gallagher fan and you
like his version of "Messin' With The Kid"
then "Choo Choo Mama" is in the same vain.
I honestly like "Roadworks" very much, not
only the songs but the interpretation and also the
emotions that can only be found from a live concert.
Critical points? Well, maybe the beginning of "Hear
Me Calling" seems to be a little lax, and I
prefer the Woodstock version of "I'm Going Home"
but other than that their new cd rocks and is the
best enjoyment, if you like blues-rock with long
guitar solos.
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