It was my birthday back in April and one of my presents was a ticket to see Albert Lee and Band in concert on the 5th June 2019. Anything to do with the theatre and/or live music makes me very happy, so it was the perfect present and I’ve been looking forward to enjoying the Albert Lee experience.
The truth is that I knew very little about Albert Lee, but his gig at the Jersey Opera House last week was a part of his ongoing and gruelling tour in what is his 76th year, which speaks volumes. Just looking at the dates and the venues spread around the world makes me feel tired.
He is one of the most respected and renowned guitarists in music history and there is nobody better qualified to sum up his musical genius than, Eric Clapton.
‘The ultimate virtuoso. His skill is extraordinary, his ear is extraordinary and he’s gifted on just about every level.’
Renown for his guitar picking technique, he owns around 40, including Don Everly’s Gibson J-200, but his favourite is the Fender Telecaster.
He has performed with a huge amount of artists and played in a wide range of genres. The staggering list of legendary musical geniuses he has appeared on stage with includes The Everly Brothers, Billy Wyman, Dolly Parton, Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris, and The Cricketts, to name but a few.
He may be renown for being a guitar virtuoso, but the piano was his first instrument which he plays with emotional depth and feeling. Not only is he an exceptional musician, but he’s a darn good singer as well and an extraordinarily modest man.
It was a great evening’s upbeat entertainment and, ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to announce that I have been Albert Lee’d!
Thank you to Jersey’s Opera House for bringing this legend to the little ‘ol Island of Jersey.
