Album Information:
Album ID: 9925
About Ten Years After:
Ten Years After was a British blues rock band that emerged in the 1960s. Their lineup consisted of Alvin Lee on guitar and vocals, Leo Lyons on bass, Ric Lee on drums, and Chick Churchill on keyboards. The band was known for their high-energy performances and intricate guitar work, which contributed to their popularity during their time.
The band got their start in Nottingham, England, in 1960, and played under various names before settling on Ten Years After in 1966. They released their first album, also titled Ten Years After, in 1967, which included their hit song 'I'm Going Home.' Their next two albums, Undead and Stonedhenge, continued to showcase their blues rock style, but it wasn't until their fourth album, Ssssh, that they broke into the U.S. market.
Ten Years After gained even more recognition when they played at the iconic Woodstock festival in 1969, which was a turning point in their career. The band's performance of 'I'm Going Home' was particularly memorable, as it showcased Alvin Lee's virtuosic guitar playing.
Over the years, Ten Years After continued to release successful albums such as Cricklewood Green, A Space in Time, and Rock & Roll Music to the World. However, tensions between the band members eventually led to their breakup in 1974. Alvin Lee went on to pursue a solo career, while the other members formed a new band called Ric Lee's Natural Born Swingers.
In 1983, Ten Years After reunited for a one-off performance at the Marquee Club in London, which was followed by a series of sporadic performances over the years. They released their final album in 2005, Now, which featured new recordings of some of their classic songs.
Overall, Ten Years After was a groundbreaking blues rock band that left a lasting impact on the music industry. Their intricate guitar work, high-energy performances, and signature sound continue to inspire new generations of musicians today.
About the album Cricklewood Green:
Cricklewood Green is the fourth studio album by the British blues rock band Ten Years After, released in 1970. The album features the classic line-up of the band, which includes Alvin Lee on guitar and vocals, Leo Lyons on bass, Ric Lee on drums, and Chick Churchill on keyboards.
The album kicks off with the upbeat and catchy track 'Sugar the Road,' which sets the tone for the album's high-energy blues rock sound. 'Working on the Road' follows with a driving rhythm section and Lee's signature guitar licks. The third track, '50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain,' features impressive solos by Lee and Churchill and showcases the band's ability to blend blues and psychedelic rock.
The album's title track, 'Cricklewood Green,' is a groovy instrumental piece that allows each member to showcase their individual talents. 'Love Like a Man' is perhaps the most famous song on the album, with its catchy guitar riff and Lee's powerful vocals. The song was released as a single and became a hit in the UK, earning the band mainstream success.
The second half of the album includes the slower and more introspective 'As the Sun Still Burns Away.' 'Warm Sun' has a laid-back vibe, with Lee's guitar creating a soothing atmosphere. 'Year 3,000 Blues' is another instrumental track that features a funky groove and impressive musicianship.
The album concludes with 'Me and My Baby,' a high-energy blues number with Lee's guitar work shining once again. Cricklewood Green solidifies Ten Years After's reputation as one of the best blues rock bands of the era, with its impressive musicianship, catchy hooks, and inimitable sound.
Members:
Ten Years After was an English blues rock band that rose to fame during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The key members of the band included:
1. Alvin Lee: Alvin Lee was the lead guitarist and vocalist for Ten Years After. He was born in Nottingham, England, in 1944 and started playing the guitar at an early age. Lee formed Ten Years After with Leo Lyons and Ric Lee in 1966 and the band became famous for their energetic and improvisational live performances. Lee was known for his fast and complex guitar solos and his fingerpicking style. He passed away in 2013 at the age of 68.
2. Leo Lyons: Leo Lyons was the bassist for Ten Years After. He was born in Mansfield, England, in 1943 and started playing the bass guitar in the early 1960s. Lyons formed Ten Years After with Alvin Lee and Ric Lee and played on all of the band's albums. After Ten Years After disbanded in 1976, Lyons went on to work as a producer and formed his own band, Hundred Seventy Split.
3. Ric Lee: Ric Lee was the drummer for Ten Years After. He was born in Stafford, England, in 1945 and started playing the drums as a teenager. Lee joined Ten Years After in 1966 and was known for his solid and energetic drumming style. He played on all of the band's albums and remained with the group until it disbanded in 1976.
4. Chick Churchill: Chick Churchill was the keyboardist for Ten Years After. He was born in Ilkeston, England, in 1949 and started playing the piano and organ in the mid-1960s. Churchill joined Ten Years After in 1966 and played on all of the band's albums. He was known for his intricate and melodic keyboard playing and his use of experimental sounds and effects.
Overall, the key members of Ten Years After were known for their virtuosic instrumental skills and their ability to blend blues, rock, and jazz into a unique and distinctive sound.
Track List for Cricklewood Green:
Track Listing for Cricklewood Green by Ten Years After:
1. 'Sugar the Road' (4:03) - The album's opening track is a lively blues-rock number, featuring Alvin Lee's signature guitar work and a driving rhythm section.
2. 'Working on the Road' (4:17) - This track is a tribute to the hardworking men and women who built the highways and railroads of America. The music is upbeat and energetic, with Lee's guitar solos taking center stage.
3. '50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain' (7:37) - Clocking in at over seven minutes, this is one of the album's longest and most psychedelic tracks. The lyrics are abstract and impressionistic, and Lee's guitar shifts from dreamy to frenzied.
4. 'Year 3,000 Blues' (2:24) - This short blues number has a playful acoustic guitar riff and humorous lyrics about life in the year 3000.
5. 'Me and My Baby' (4:16) - This track is a slow blues ballad, with Lee's guitar providing slow, soulful licks and heartfelt vocals from lead singer/guitarist Alvin Lee.
6. 'Love Like a Man' (7:34) - One of the band's biggest hits, this track is a groovy, guitar-driven rocker with a catchy chorus and Lee's virtuosic soloing.
7. 'Circles' (3:56) - This song has a funky, R&B-inspired groove and socially conscious lyrics about the cycles of poverty and oppression.
8. 'As the Sun Still Burns Away' (4:46) - This track is a moody, atmospheric piece with psychedelic guitar effects and a haunting vocal melody.
Overall, Cricklewood Green showcases Ten Years After's mastery of blues, rock, and psychedelic music, and features some of their most iconic tracks.
Discography for Ten Years After:
Here is the complete discography for the artist Ten Years After in chronological order, including all albums, all singles, and all other releases with their respective release dates:
Albums:
1. Ten Years After (1967)
2. Undead (1968)
3. Stonedhenge (1969)
4. Ssssh (1969)
5. Cricklewood Green (1970)
6. Watt (1970)
7. A Space in Time (1971)
8. Rock & Roll Music to the World (1972)
9. Alvin Lee and Company (1972)
10. Recorded Live (1973)
11. Positive Vibrations (1974)
12. About Time (1989)
13. Now (2004)
Singles:
1. 'I Want to Know' / 'I Can't Keep from Crying, Sometimes' (1967)
2. 'Love Until I Die' / 'Portable People' (1968)
3. 'Good Morning Little Schoolgirl' / 'If You Should Love Me' (1969)
4. 'Ssssh' EP (1969)
5. 'Woodchopper's Ball' / 'Rock Your Mama' (1969)
6. 'Love Like a Man' / 'Love Like a Man (Part 2)' (1970)
7. 'The Stomp' / 'I Woke Up This Morning' (1970)
8. 'I'm Going Home' / 'Hear Me Calling' (1971)
9. 'Choo Choo Mama' / 'Tomorrow I'll Be Out of Town' (1972)
10. 'You Give Me Loving' / 'Convention Prevention' (1972)
11. 'Rock & Roll Music to the World' / 'Turned Off T.V. Blues' (1972)
12. 'Let's Shake It Up' / 'I'm Writing You a Letter' (1973)
13. 'One of These Days' / 'Here They Come' (1974)
Other releases:
1. 'Undead' DVD (2002)
2. 'Live at the Fillmore East 1970' DVD (2012)
3. 'The Friday Rock Show Sessions - Live At Reading '82' CD (2010)
4. 'Evolution' box set (2008)
Note: This discography includes only the officially released albums, singles, and other releases, and does not include any bootlegs or unauthorized recordings.