Yes guys! This is 15 years after the birth of rock n roll. Woodstock showcased how far it had come in such a short time and where it was headed. The energy, the freedom, the creativity, the spirit is all there. And musicianship! Great artists, great singers, great bands. Now you know why us older folk are so bored and resistant to today’s homogeneous, bland pop music. *THIS* is music. This is rock n roll!🔥🤙
The time of the "birth" of R&R is debatable...but it is common to consider it to have been 1954, yes. There's a video about that here on UA-cam that's very interesting and revealing.....but, yeah.......totally agree regarding the rest of it! That's one of the reasons that Gretta Van Fleet is getting so much attention!
you said it well, im 69 and listen to mostlly rock from aboput 1964- 1980. endless, the bands, the individulals, the talent and creativity....if anything i go backwords from there and listen to old blues, where the best of the rockers got their inspiration from......yes, most of todays music just leaves me at a loss, how uninspiring it is...
Just a few months after playing at Woodstock, Jimi Hendrix sat down for an interview with Cream Magazine and talked candidly about having played there. Hendrix said, "I felt like I played a good set at Woodstock considering I was playing with all new musicians almost." "I thought Carlos(Santana) & Johnny(Winter) guitars sounded strong during their sets too." "But of the 3 days worth of music that was played at Woodstock, no one outplayed Alvin Lee." "Alvin put on a guitar clinic for the ages during Ten Years After's set at Woodstock, and I really have a lot of respect for his ability and how easily he can pick up a guitar and play anything, be it rock, blues, jazz, or whatever." "They don't come any better than Alvin on a guitar." Those are the words of Jimi Hendrix taken from that interview with Cream Magazine published in January, 1970.
Imagine being Alvin Lee and Hendrix the Grand Master and Page another guitar God saying that about you - great heartfelt true story gives goosebumps lol
Couple notes: yeah, this was their last song. Also, this is a highly edited version. He goes on for MINUTES scatting and riffing while the bassist keeps time on his pickup Guard. It’s in the movie and it’s still the most insane high level live performance I’ve ever seen.
I about died when I saw him show up on Letterman with Earl Scruggs, Steve Martin & Friends doing Foggy Mountain. ua-cam.com/video/icMTVV5Lwaw/v-deo.html
@@vinniemoran7362 No - it IS Alvin Lee... Ric Lee on drums, Leo Lyons on bass and Chick Churchill on keyboards organ.... BTW - they played like this ALL THE TIME!
Alvin Lee is without a doubt one of the best guitarists ever. His speed and precision is unmatched, and his feel for the instrument is peerless. Brilliant.
Ten Years after was awesome, Alvin Lee was a speed king back in the day but had much more than speed in his bag of tricks. They have many great songs but start with The timeless classic, I'd Love to Change the World. Also One of These Days, You Give Me Loving, Religion and Standing at the Station. They will rock your world, they have for me for over 50 years now. Enjoy! 🎸
The "Elvis vibe" was not a coincidence. Alvin Lee was a big fan of Elvis and Ten Years After took their name from being formed in 1966, 10 years after Elvis made it big in 1956.
I wasn't at Woodstock but i was at a 3 day music festival 2 months earlier on the West Coast at Devonshire Downs in Northridge CA (SFV) June 69. Newport or Monterey Pop Festival. One of the original locations couldn't hold the concert June 20-22 1969
Besides SRV performing Texas Flood live the El Mogambo, this is my favorite single live guitar performance of all time. Alvin shreds it and the band is just unreal.
Ten Years After and Santana were by far the best at Woodstock-Alvin Lee just shredded the guitar and so did Santana--2 of the greatest live performances of all time. When he says Baby look out I'm coming to get you one more time-he just explodes.
Imagine looking out at a half million people watching and dancing and digging your music. That would have to put the energy level of his playing right off the chain. Though everything I’ve ever heard by Ten Years After sounded pretty much like this. I absolutely love the Woodstock Wednesday idea. Please keep it going. Love you guys.
Their hit song "I'd Love To Change The World" is as gentle as they come. And Lee's guitar is ethereal and exquisite. Nothing like this. :) ua-cam.com/video/lSYFJB7o9ZQ/v-deo.html
OK , you can hear it and it's great that you appreciate the performance . What non-guitarists will not appreciate is the way Alvin was playing. He was using his right hand that 'plucks' the strings in a style not unlike he was strumming, but strumming hard. Despite that all the individual notes in the riff are clear and precise. I've been playing 50 years and that was some incredible muting and accuracy.
I saw Ten Years After live onstage - and the band was always like this Woodstock performance - listen to that - all 4 guys on all 4 instruments - are always on time - always in the groove !
Alvin Lee and Ten Years after would come into town often and my band mates would never miss a chance to see them. That was before Woodstock. They played the same way at a small concert venue as they did on the Woodstock video. They show a little bit of the bass player in this video. Seeing the bassist live was a show unto itself. The song going home was always there final of the night.
He made that song up on the spot. His set was over and he kept trying to leave the stage, but because he was the only performer onsite at that point, the stage managers kept pushing him back onstage.
You guys HAVE TO listen to the album version of this song -- that is, the FULL version of this Woodstock performance!! The recording is 9:32 long and it includes a ton more vocal riffing and guitar work! It's totally fun and crazy...Alvin Lee riffs out so many hit 50's songs (like "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On" by Jerry Lee Lewis, for instance) and the performance is so much more than this video can capture! Check it out!
We'd been surfing all weekend and stopped in on our way home at a cinema that was showing the Woodstock movie. I actually fell asleep during the Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young segment . . . only to be woken up with a jolt when Ten Years After started playing I'm Going Home. I'd never heard guitar playing that fast in my life!! And that the band kept up that pace for 12 minutes was absolutely incredible. You young people obviously don't really understand what you were seeing and hearing. Alvin Lee, that guitarist, made the leap from man to legend while we watched that song unfold. That world had not seen his like previously to Ten Years After's performance at Woodstock. Far and away the best guitarist at the whole festival, he somehow still never got the acclaim that was justifiably due him. His detractors, none of whom could play anywhere close to Alvin's level of speed and accuracy, decried him for having no feel, for sacrificing feel for speed, for having no soul, etc, etc. I'm here to say right now that it was all hogwash!! He was one of the all-time greatest Blues-Rock guitarists the world has ever known. Thanks for posting this.
Of all the reactors I’ve watched, Amber is the most ‘in tune’ with the music and the impact it had on generations of fans and artists. It’s a pleasure to see and hear her enjoying for the first time the great music I grew up with.
@@suewalksthebluffs I agree. I didn't always feel that way. She either got better or I just didn't appreciate her. Probably both. I do get tired of other reactors referring to Steely Dan or Jethro Tull as a guy (after multiple listens!), or just not knowing anything about what they are listening to. Seems like she takes the time to educate herself about what she is about to hear and her reactions are usually spot-on.
It’s good to see young people discovering one of the best band and the best guitarist. Who jammed with legends and left them speechless .It’s a lot you didn’t see yet on this short version of their performance!
This performance brought Alvin Lee to the attention of the American audience. He was absolutely phenomenal. I saw the band twice & they were superb. I have to add, that even though these Woodstock performances were great, it was pretty typical of the kind of shows these bands put on all the time. It was an incredible era for LIVE concert bands.
Ten Years After came to Duke University in 1971 with Yes as opening act. Didn't see them because I chose to go to Charlotte to see the Who. Don't regret that just wish they hadn't been on the same night. That was just how it was in those days. So many great bands at the height of their careers on the road
Coming from the UK we used to see Ten Years After quite often. This was a typical performance of "Going Home". TYA were a brilliant band and Alvin Lee a magnificent guitarist...
Alvin was an absolute monster guitarist. Could do everything - hard rock, ballads, blues, soul, and shred beyond belief. His band, Ten Years After, had some of the best rock albums of the time. Great choice to review.
Alvin was an excellent jazz player and delved into progressive rock, too. Ten Years After was so much more than just a British blues band. They evolved into one of the best bands of their time.
I'm 67 years old I was taught that song at the age of 13 my father showed me how to play it .For a 13 year old kid to play that song on guitar in south Phila. was un heard of, and I was known for that song with others. I takes me back Going Home. Now these days I want to re do it with setting the world on fire from this song . It's been my Quest for over 6 months before I seen this show. I know I must do this song and put it on you tube it's part of my legacy I owe it to myself. Thank you for this show.
I was in the Navy overseas when Woodstock happened . But I`m sure glad it was filmed and filmed hi quality . And thanks very much for putting this video together ! !
Alvin Lee, the lead guitarist and lead vocalist, was one the most underrated guitarist ever! He could hold his own with all the other great guitarists.
He was a total prodigy. As a kid when they didn't let him bring a guitar to school, he brought in a guitar neck in his book bag and practiced fingering chords under the desk, they say. He lived down the road from George Harrison; they were friends; both knew who the real guitar expert was. One of his best tracks is "I can't keep from crying" live and Winterland 1975. His finger dexterity is God given, like those who take to typing 120 words a minute without mistakes.
No one has mentioned that this version chops a huge chunk out of the middle of the performance. The full version has much more impact when he comes back in at full volume.
That's Alvin Lee singing/playing guitar. Amazing blues musician, noted for his lightning-fast guitar playing. His work after leaving TYA is worth digging into.
Hey, Amber. That pretty red guitar with the peace symbol on it is a Gibson ES 335. Alvin's was called " Big Red" and he was known as Captain Speed fingers. I first saw a cherry red ES 335 being played by Chuck Berry and then Alvin's really knocked me out. I swore if I could afford it I'd buy one just like theirs, Alvin's peace symbol as well. Finally got my Gibson ES 335 but I bought an ebony one instead.
And one of the best blues guitarist ! Saw him in 89 or 90 in a small venue and near the end of the night, turned around opened a guitar case and asked if anyone remembers this guitar, it was the one he's playing now played more blues on it, this song was the encore on the guitar RIP Alvin !
Alvin Lee, was the front man rocker for Peace and Love, and human right in the world. I saw his concert in 1975 in Los Angeles, with his amazing guitar play. R I P
I'd love to change the world would be where I go next with them. It is remarkable to me how clear the video and audio is considering where they were performing and the age of everything. I love how you can see his breath and how that song would make a person want to dance and stay warm. Totally love the passion. I was about 3 and in a different country so no direct woodstock experience, but I love it so much anyway.
I was 12 years old when my dad took me to see the movie. Having been raised on Easter European classical music, this was bit if a game changer. Did Alvin Lee continue in Ten Years Later?
Ten Years After is great and Alvin Lee was a very well regarded guitarist. I think that's a bit shortened video. Try "Good morning Little Schoolgirl", I'd Love to Change the World"
The late 60's had such an explosion of fantastic music it was incredible ....live performances from so many artists ingrained in musical history .... when I see these performances, it takes me right back to that time and vibe ....so glad I lived it.
You hit it on the head! All of these groups are live and play at full potential. Many groups these days are lost if not recorded in the studio. Love you guys! Bobby G
Ten Years After was relatively unknown to US audiences prior to their Woodstock performance. Leo Lyons, the bassist, was asked afterwards by a reporter what it felt like to be an over night sensation. He replied' Not too bad. It only took us 8 years'. After this they went on to tour the US and the world, their prime years were from 1969-1975.
Alvin Lee on the guitar. For sheer speed, he is very nearly unmatched. An underrated guitarist. I first saw this performance at one of those old "midnight" screenings of a "rock film" at a movie theater. I can't remember the order of the performances, but by the time this came on, the audience might have already seen The Who or Santana or Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, or Joe Cocker. It was a late night audience of stoners, so the atmosphere had been pretty chill. People got up and danced in the aisles when this song started.
This was one of several performances by bands that played Woodstock that helped bring them a much wider audience after people saw them rock out in the movie. But I gotta tell ya, this is just a fraction of his performance of this song in the original movie. You missed out on about 5 to 6 minutes of him doing a medley of classic 1950's rock and roll songs that influenced him. So you're comment about his Elvis moment was spot on. He also takes the music way down to almost a whisper before the big explosive ending which adds even more impact. Track down the complete song from the movie with the triple camera shots to get the full impact. Then do us a reaction of Ten Years After doing I Want To Change The World, or One of These Days off their LP A Space in Time.
Yes, this part unfortunately is missing. "..........One for the money, two for the show, better get ready, now go cat go. Don 't you step on my blue suede shoes. You can do anything but stay off my blue suede shoes................." By far the very best live performance of a piece of music I heard/saw since I saw the Woodstock movie, I guess it was in 1972.
Ten Years After was my favorite band in high school. I was lucky enough to see them in the late 60s early 70s and If you like 10 years after I think one of their best songs is I would love to change the world, it's a must listen to
I just came across your video and I was soooo thrilled that you chose this song. I am a 61 year old white guy and my Uncle gave the Woodstock album to me when I was 11 in 1971. From Richie Havens to Jimi playing the Star Spangled Banner to the small crowd at the end, I was hooked on the blues and Rock and Roll. I felt the identical electricity you felt as a pimple faced punk in Indiana. That electricity you felt is what Rock and Blues are all about. To see you guys with my same joy made me emotional. There were so many great performances at Woodstock but “I’m going Home” was pure kick add blues rock. But i also loved Santana playing Soul Sacrifice and the incredible “Dance to the Music” by Sly and the Family Stone. I urge you guys to check those out. You did comment about Alvin Lee being an extension of his guitar but that was not unique to Woodstock. Blues and rock performers are totally into the music and the performance. I saw the Stevie Ray Vaughn image in your wall so obviously you know him but I also invite you to check out Joe Bonamassa and Robert Randolph and the Family Band , the Brian Setzer Orchestra. Hell I could go in for hours. But you find the key to the knowledge of the Universe so aptly put by Muddy Waters: “The Blues had a baby and they named in Rock and Roll” Great job guys. You gave this old dude joy to see your joy.
A few points: 1.) Because Amber did background research on the Woodstock topic prior to reactions sets her apart from other reactors on UA-cam in a big way. I would encourage them to study the historical context of other songs as well, not just Woodstock material. 2.) Yes, the performances were extra loose and free. No light shows, choreography, just music. No advertising except for the Portapotty service. Playing in front of 300,000 people brings out the unpredictable in artists. Okay, Sha Na Na had some choreography and wardrobe. 3.) You discovered an exceptional underrated guitarist from the era. You should also check out Rory Gallagher (6th request as a subscriber for this):ua-cam.com/video/GazzTFxXGeE/v-deo.html
Yes, the "I have no idea what I'm looking at" shtick gets a little old. At least have an idea of what you're going to listen to. Remember, it's not just us old farts going, "Good. They like our music. Old schools is best school." Reactors such as Rob Squad are introducing youngsters to the great music too. Better that they know something about it.
@@iDuckman Agreed. If they learn about Woodstock, they will likely learn about VietNam, Watergate and why we are in the situation we are in now. I'm all for exposing younger people to what was going on with popular music and why we heard what we heard back then. Beatles, MTV, parasitic music industry, internet are all factors.
Oh yes, PLEASE react to Rory Gallagher, either this I Wonder Who Belfast 84 ua-cam.com/video/9Iypw6ZPAPo/v-deo.html or this A Million Miles Away Irish Tour 74 (video) ua-cam.com/video/RxiEMpcI83E/v-deo.html
This was a shortened version of the performance, but it was fun to see Jay's eyes so wide in amazement. I was at Woodstock and it was just as described. Nuf said.
I'd love to change the world is probably one of their most popular songs , but it's my guess that it is because that was one of their mellower songs that could be played on the radio , I know , love like a man made it in the top 40 , but the rest of their stuff was not made for radio popularity..
The song is actually much longer. Alvin Lee was known as the fastest fingers in rock. At the time of this song, Woodstock was in a weather break for a few hours because the promoters were of afraid of electrocuting the performers. TYA was the first band to play and this was the first song they played.
This was their encore. The full set was: Spoonful, Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Hobbit, I Can't Keep from Crying Sometimes, Help Me, I'm Going Home. The rain storm was earlier on Sunday during daylight hours, in between Joe Cocker and Country Joe and the Fish. You're correct that this edit cuts out about half of the song.
I saw 10 Years After in 1974 at the San Francisco Cow Palace. This is how he performed, every time! Not many have heard of Alvin Lee but he was one of the best rock/blues guitarists of all time. Thanks for doing this! Brings back a great memory of a night in San Francisco with his guitar vibrating through every cell of my body.
For many of the performers this was the time to shine!! Half a million people and freedom to be whoever you wanted to be. Most got that "city" rocking. And this was a shortened version. Alvin Lee kept that energy cranking even longer.
His guitar playing blew me away! He was the fastest around back then. I love this clip. Made me want to play guitar. I even bought a cherry red ES 335. Love Alvin Lee. And that is the shortest clip from this performance I’ve ever seen. This song is twice this length.
Probably the greatest guitarist of the entire classic rock era that no one sadly ever seems to talk about. Alvin Lee was pure lightning in his fingertips and pure ability in his approach. He carried the same 3 nicknames his entire career for a reason, I.E., Captain Speedfingers, Fastest Guitar in the West, and my personal favorite the Man Who Played Faster Than His Shadow. Note: You guys used a horribly cut to shreds video uploaded on UA-cam. The entire performance can be found at this link: ua-cam.com/video/2YB7qyn5MVs/v-deo.html Even if you don't do another reaction to the entire performance, which IMO you should, at least watch the entire performance and treat yourselves to one of rock's legendary bands giving an epic performance!!
The guitarist, Alvin Lee, also performed as a solo act later in his career, during which time he collaborated with a number of notable musicians, including John Mayall, Mick Taylor (of the Rolling Stones), and George Harrison. I recommend "Bluest Blues" as an Alvin Lee song that really highlights his skills as a guitarist, and the song also features George Harrison on the slide guitar.
My first real concert was Alvin Lee opening for Steppenwolf and the Marshall Tucker Band out at the Sturgis bike rally. Alvin was actually my fave of the three acts.
I saw the Alvin Lee Band at the Montreal Forum in 1980. At one point he broke a string and let the Bass player do a ten minute bass solo and then jumped back in without missing a beat. I have never heard such a loud and joyous standing ovation in my life and they were not even the main act. They did this song probably even longer and that energy stayed in that building for many years after.
Although this was an edited version, it did show the greatness of Alvin Lee. For a different take on him, try “The Bluest Blues”, I think you will like it!
When I saw this reaction come up on my suggested videos, a huge smile came up on my face. This is THE best performance at Woodstock in my opinion, and that's saying a lot! Thank y'all so much for this one! I second someone ones suggestion of Richie Haven's "Freedom." Love you guys!
Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock was the peak especially with Star spangled banner.Machine Gun,it was early morning by the time they got to play instead of around midnight the night before? As one headline act. But Soul Sacrifice by Santana is up there..as far as Guitar goes .
Was at Woodstock. There are many stories not seen in any film. The traffic jam was horrendous. Walked over 10 miles to get into the music festival with a mass of humans. That, too, was a unique experience that brought a sense of common spirit amongst a half a million souls.
I'm so glad you got to experience Ten Years After. Yes those were some Wild and Crazy days. Seen them twice and always filled the place with High Energy. More you get, the crazier you get. GOOD WARNINGS!!!
On the song “Bluest Blues”, George Harrison of Beatles fame plays the “slide” guitar at the 2:13-3:08 interval, but it’s all Alvin Lee on lead guitar from 4:00-7:27. Pure magic! 🎸🎼
Its always good to hear all those great Blues&Rock Bands,from the 1960's,into the1970's) Alvin Lee with Ten Years After the king of The World in Rock N Roll/ Blues! Another great Rock N Roll Band was:John Kay with his Band mates of Steppenwolf! Just listen to their hit songs! All have a powerful message of the troubling times in the (1960's&the 1970's!) Smash Hits:Born to be Wild,Monster/Suicide,Jupiters Child&Its Never too Late! Still a whole lot more of treasured songs! Still have a powerful impact on so many then and now! Peace&Love is still comes Around!!
I am one of the biggest Ten Years After fans , love it that you guys decided to check this out , not sure where you found this version , but this is short , there's a lot that was cut out of the middle , it's actually over a ten minute song !! Another good one to check out is HELP ME , from the RECORDED LIVE album ! Don't get too far away from TEN YEARS AFTER please , keep on jammin!!!!!
@@martinconnelly1473 A year or two after I bought the album I recorded it on cassette to save the album , then a few years later I recorded the cassette onto another cassette because the first one was getting wore out . I'm just getting ready to find the CD . YES , excellent album!!!!!
Alvin Lee was an amazing guitarist. He was known as the fastest guitarist in the west. I saw him perform at the Pantages in Hollywood and he absolutely blew the place apart. Although it is a somewhat slower song than this one, you should listen to I'd Love to Change the World.
I remember seeing this performance in the Woodstock movie 50 years ago when I was 10. It totally blew me away, and still does today. Sadly this version is heavily edited. The original performance is almost 11 minutes long. RIP Alvin Lee.
Alvin Lee is a stone-cold badass on guitar. The whole Woodstock movie is pretty solid. Some gems in the stuff that was cut if you can find them. Another great experience is the Monterey Pop Festival from 1967. If you watch/react to anything from that, I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend Ravi Shankar's performance. Performing standard Indian Raga. There are 2 versions, a shorter 5 minute and the full 18 minute epic masterpiece. He puts on a masterclass not just for the Sitar, but any instrument. Beyond insane how good he is. He goes off on that Sitar. The crowd is absolutely enthralled and gives a huge standing ovation at the end. In the longer video, you will the likes of Jimi Hendrix, both Mama Cass and Michelle Phillips from the Mamas and the Papas, Mickey Dolenz from the Monkees, Al Kooper from Blood, Sweat and Tears. I as I am sure others would love to see you react to this. Check it out.
Yeah, there's a video that compares 4 of the best guitarists on YT back to back and it runs Clapton, SRV, Van Halen, and Alvin Lee. Alvin has great ear and is more melodious that Van Halen, I think.
What study said he was ever underrated????? I was in my early 20's in August, 1969, and there was Nothing Underrated about Alvin Lee and Ten Years After..... You were not there, you know nothing... :)
@@frandanco6289 I don't need a study to know he's underrated. A lot of times when people are discussing guitarists and that great music I was raised hearing his name doesn't come up as much as it should in my opinion. I think we all agree he's amazing. You're right, I wasn't there. I was 2 in 1969
TOTALLY UNDERRATED! While TYA did get alotta attention in England, Alvin Lee was NEVER given the same respect as Clapton, Hendrix, Page, Jeff Beck etc . And Alvin was EVERY bit as good as his peers, in his prime. 😎
Alvin was shredding before that term was used. He was so quick, it was nuts!! He stood at 6ft 6in, and was a bundle of power. I will never forget seeing this for the first time. I was cross-eyed.
Alvin Lee is one of the worlds most underrated guitarists. He was truly amazing! His band, Ten Years After, also had a great hit called, "Change the World"....a slower paced but awesome tune!
1969 was my senior year in high school. Stop and imagine that. We heard about Woodstock on the radio and saw some of the acts on TV afterword. Some performances like Janis Joplin and Richie Havens were released as singles and were getting airplay. But the BIG EVENT locally in 1970 was the film release of the music documentary (first of its kind) in the theaters: Woodstock (the movie) I made this the occasion my first grown up date. My date as a sweat girl whom I had recently accompanied, at the request of her family, to the military funeral of her older brother who had been killed in a helicopter crash in Vietnam. Her brother Mike and I had played on the same little league team. In another video you mentioned Country Joe and the Fish and the Feelin' Like I'm'a Fixin' To Die Rag. You can imagine sitting next to my date, sister of a dead soldier whom we had just buried, and me with my draft card already in my wallet. That was my first grown up date. Sally married the son of a produce supplier in northern Indiana. I later enlisted in the US Coast Guard rather than go to Canada or to hide out on the hashish trail to Nepal.
Remember seeing the debut of the movie in my home city. People were singing and dancing in their seats and in the aisles. It was pandemonium and we loved it. All of us wished thatwe had been at Woodstock on that very special weekend.
This was not just a Woodstock thing for him. Every album, every concert. Old Blues song, done much slower. Saw him live. 10 minutes after he left the stage, we were still walking out. His guitar was still putting out feedback. His Little Schoolgirl kicksass.
Ten Years After is my favorite band if all time! I was thrilled to watch your reactions. I was a bit young for Woodstock but did get to see them 3 different times in the 70’s & they always absolutely rocked the place apart. Alvin Lee has not received the recognization of being one of the greats like he should be! Ric Lee & Leo Lyons were first rate too!! This has brought back THE best memories in my life thank you!!!
Saw them live 3 times and yes, he always plays with that intensity. But when he plays mellow it is equally wonderful. Try their song "I'd Love to Change the World"
What made these bands so GREAT and what made Woodstock so fantastic was that these bands almost ALWAYS brought their A Game. That is why they got invited to Woodstock. Meaning whether they played in a lil club of 300 people, a concert of 3,000 or festival of 300,000. The spirit, the energy, the realness, their commitment to their music was always there. Thus bands like Ten Years After, Santana, Richie Havens, Janis Joplin, Mountain, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Sly and the Family Stone, Johnny Winter were perfect for a festival like Woodstock.
You asked those of us who were at Woodstock to check in, so I am. Whatever you've seen or heard about Woodstock can only hint at what it was actually like. The whole mood there was so positive, so hopeful. so amazing. I went back for the 50th anniversary in 2019, and when I drove onto the grounds and saw the site again, I actually got lightheaded. It was that powerful an experience. As you've noted, all the performances there were intense, but really that's what all concerts were like at that time. I saw Ten Years After a couple of other times, including earlier that year, and they were no less incendiary. This video, maybe more than others, really captures that intensity best. But this video is actually an edited version of the song. You should really see the longer version--the dynamics are more powerful there.
Alvin Lee, the lead guitar and singer for Ten Years After,,,, I'm going home. was an incredible performer, who unfortunately passed in 2013. I had the great fortune of seeing his performance at Woodstock, live........it was remarkable then, and it still is after all these years. RIP Alvin Lee.
Yes guys! This is 15 years after the birth of rock n roll. Woodstock showcased how far it had come in such a short time and where it was headed. The energy, the freedom, the creativity, the spirit is all there. And musicianship! Great artists, great singers, great bands. Now you know why us older folk are so bored and resistant to today’s homogeneous, bland pop music. *THIS* is music. This is rock n roll!🔥🤙
The time of the "birth" of R&R is debatable...but it is common to consider it to have been 1954, yes. There's a video about that here on UA-cam that's very interesting and revealing.....but, yeah.......totally agree regarding the rest of it!
That's one of the reasons that Gretta Van Fleet is getting so much attention!
As far as R+R resurgence, check out Monster Truck. For the sun ,The lion, Righteous smoke,they've got a lot of good stuff!
Totally agree
you said it well, im 69 and listen to mostlly rock from aboput 1964- 1980. endless, the bands, the individulals, the talent and creativity....if anything i go backwords from there and listen to old blues, where the best of the rockers got their inspiration from......yes, most of todays music just leaves me at a loss, how uninspiring it is...
No energy now
Just a few months after playing at Woodstock, Jimi Hendrix sat down for an interview with Cream Magazine and talked candidly about having played there.
Hendrix said, "I felt like I played a good set at Woodstock considering I was playing with all new musicians almost." "I thought Carlos(Santana) & Johnny(Winter) guitars sounded strong during their sets too." "But of the 3 days worth of music that was played at Woodstock, no one outplayed Alvin Lee." "Alvin put on a guitar clinic for the ages during Ten Years After's set at Woodstock,
and I really have a lot of respect for his ability and how easily he can pick up a guitar and play anything, be it rock, blues, jazz, or whatever."
"They don't come any better than Alvin on a guitar." Those are the words of Jimi Hendrix taken from that interview with Cream Magazine published in January, 1970.
Great comment from jimi
Jimmy Page said that Alvin Lee was the only guitar player he would ever PAY for to see.
Imagine being Alvin Lee and Hendrix the Grand Master and Page another guitar God saying that about you - great heartfelt true story gives goosebumps lol
Always been one of my favourite live performances ... Alvin Lee was on FIRE.
Couple notes: yeah, this was their last song. Also, this is a highly edited version. He goes on for MINUTES scatting and riffing while the bassist keeps time on his pickup Guard. It’s in the movie and it’s still the most insane high level live performance I’ve ever seen.
Best performance I've ever seen. Alvin Lee always gets high praise, which he deserves 100%, but the bass player was just off the charts.
@@skiptowne5724 Leo Lyons
Yeah the full performance is a must.
Yep,........
No..........it was an English band messing with yank dope heads....,.l loved it.......as did Jimi.......xxxxxx....
Alvin Lee is one of the most unheralded guitarist of the time. Absolutely crushed the solos!!!
I about died when I saw him show up on Letterman with Earl Scruggs, Steve Martin & Friends doing Foggy Mountain.
ua-cam.com/video/icMTVV5Lwaw/v-deo.html
@@magnificentfailure2390 That's Albert Lee. ;)
The bass player isn't a slouch either.
He is maybe one of the best guitarists ever.
@@vinniemoran7362 No - it IS Alvin Lee... Ric Lee on drums, Leo Lyons on bass and Chick Churchill on keyboards organ.... BTW - they played like this ALL THE TIME!
Alvin killed it. I get chills every time I hear this. This is Rock & Roll, love it.
The stars were aligned for Woodstock to be a magical experience.
Best performance
My grandson loves to hear this also he is 17 I'm 69
“I’d Love To Change The World” by Ten Years After, awesome song!
One of the best they ever did...beautiful piece of music...
This was beyond awesome then
Alvin Lee shredded as good as. Anyone
Also, SLow Blues in C by ALvin Lee is awesome.
"Everywhere, there's freaks and hairies, dykes and fairies,
Tell me where is sanity"
Great song!
Alvin Lee is without a doubt one of the best guitarists ever. His speed and precision is unmatched, and his feel for the instrument is peerless. Brilliant.
You can see where Prince got his guitar playing style from.
And yet remains so underrated and under appreciated.
@@martinwilliams3595 . . Prince, and a thousand more as well.
Ten Years after was awesome, Alvin Lee was a speed king back in the day but had much more than speed in his bag of tricks. They have many great songs but start with The timeless classic, I'd Love to Change the World. Also One of These Days, You Give Me Loving, Religion and Standing at the Station. They will rock your world, they have for me for over 50 years now. Enjoy! 🎸
I love Bluest Blues but it's all good with Alvin.
Standing ar the station.. haven't heard it in a couple years about tho go take a listen and remember why I only play my guitar occasionally lol
The "Elvis vibe" was not a coincidence. Alvin Lee was a big fan of Elvis and Ten Years After took their name from being formed in 1966, 10 years after Elvis made it big in 1956.
Props for doing this reaction! Not many do it. One of the best performances from Woodstock...if not thee best, IMO.
I wasn't at Woodstock but i was at a 3 day music festival 2 months earlier on the West Coast at Devonshire Downs in Northridge CA (SFV) June 69. Newport or Monterey Pop Festival. One of the original locations couldn't hold the concert June 20-22 1969
I think it's the best! Alvin Lee is a Rock God. RIP Alvin.
Besides SRV performing Texas Flood live the El Mogambo, this is my favorite single live guitar performance of all time. Alvin shreds it and the band is just unreal.
Ten Years After and Santana were by far the best at Woodstock-Alvin Lee just shredded the guitar and so did Santana--2 of the greatest live performances of all time. When he says Baby look out I'm coming to get you one more time-he just explodes.
bravo, im 69, couldnt say it any better...alvin lee for whatever reason never got his full due.....to me hendrix 1a, lee 1b....
Them and Canned Heat
Imagine looking out at a half million people watching and dancing and digging your music. That would have to put the energy level of his playing right off the chain. Though everything I’ve ever heard by Ten Years After sounded pretty much like this. I absolutely love the Woodstock Wednesday idea. Please keep it going. Love you guys.
Their hit song "I'd Love To Change The World" is as gentle as they come. And Lee's guitar is ethereal and exquisite. Nothing like this. :) ua-cam.com/video/lSYFJB7o9ZQ/v-deo.html
I love that track.
@@vinniemoran7362 Exquisite is the exact word!
OK , you can hear it and it's great that you appreciate the performance . What non-guitarists will not appreciate is the way Alvin was playing. He was using his right hand that 'plucks' the strings in a style not unlike he was strumming, but strumming hard. Despite that all the individual notes in the riff are clear and precise. I've been playing 50 years and that was some incredible muting and accuracy.
One of my all time favorite performances. Excellent
I saw Ten Years After live onstage - and the band was always like this Woodstock performance - listen to that - all 4 guys on all 4 instruments - are always on time - always in the groove !
"I'd love to change the world" original studio version is definitely a Ten Years After must!
I second that. It's what I know them best for.
The quadraphonic version is a trip!
Excellent Choice. But I would also go for 50,000 miles beneath my brain.
Agreed, they should have gone with Change the World.
I love it ❤🎶
Alvin Lee and Ten Years after would come into town often and my band mates would never miss a chance to see them. That was before Woodstock. They played the same way at a small concert venue as they did on the Woodstock video. They show a little bit of the bass player in this video. Seeing the bassist live was a show unto itself. The song going home was always there final of the night.
You can't do Woodstock reactions without doing Richie Havens' "Freedom." A mesmerizing performance!
He made that song up on the spot. His set was over and he kept trying to leave the stage, but because he was the only performer onsite at that point, the stage managers kept pushing him back onstage.
I believe he was inspired by the song Motherless Child.
Really? I thought it sucked.
@@rubbersole79 I doubt anyone cares what you think.
@@rubbersole79 Funny. I thought it was a very intense, emotional performance...different strokes, I guess.
So cool to see you 2 see the greatness of this.Saw his last show and he was still nutty.
fantastic performance...thanks for covering it!!
You guys HAVE TO listen to the album version of this song -- that is, the FULL version of this Woodstock performance!! The recording is 9:32 long and it includes a ton more vocal riffing and guitar work! It's totally fun and crazy...Alvin Lee riffs out so many hit 50's songs (like "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On" by Jerry Lee Lewis, for instance) and the performance is so much more than this video can capture! Check it out!
60's and 70's true rock.....hard to say it will EVER be topped.
We'd been surfing all weekend and stopped in on our way home at a cinema that was showing the Woodstock movie. I actually fell asleep during the Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young segment . . . only to be woken up with a jolt when Ten Years After started playing I'm Going Home. I'd never heard guitar playing that fast in my life!! And that the band kept up that pace for 12 minutes was absolutely incredible. You young people obviously don't really understand what you were seeing and hearing. Alvin Lee, that guitarist, made the leap from man to legend while we watched that song unfold. That world had not seen his like previously to Ten Years After's performance at Woodstock. Far and away the best guitarist at the whole festival, he somehow still never got the acclaim that was justifiably due him. His detractors, none of whom could play anywhere close to Alvin's level of speed and accuracy, decried him for having no feel, for sacrificing feel for speed, for having no soul, etc, etc. I'm here to say right now that it was all hogwash!! He was one of the all-time greatest Blues-Rock guitarists the world has ever known. Thanks for posting this.
Absolute true. R.I.P. ALVIN. 🍉
Well said. Perfectly summarised, He was amazing !
Saw Alvin Lee and 10 Tears After live and didn't disappoint!!! One of top performances at Woodstock...💋😍💋😍💋😍💋😍💋
I saw them in the early 70s and Alvin Lee killed it all night long. He was unbelievable.
The intense energy of their performance was off the charts!!!!
Amber has slowly become my favorite reactor/reviewer out there. Appreciate her enthusiasm and insight!
You forgot that she looks so natural doing it, a beautiful down to earth woman right there.
Of all the reactors I’ve watched, Amber is the most ‘in tune’ with the music and the impact it had on generations of fans and artists. It’s a pleasure to see and hear her enjoying for the first time the great music I grew up with.
@@suewalksthebluffs I agree. I didn't always feel that way. She either got better or I just didn't appreciate her. Probably both. I do get tired of other reactors referring to Steely Dan or Jethro Tull as a guy (after multiple listens!), or just not knowing anything about what they are listening to. Seems like she takes the time to educate herself about what she is about to hear and her reactions are usually spot-on.
@@marksimpson1991 She pays attention to our comments, too.
Amber is BAE
It’s good to see young people discovering one of the best band and the best guitarist. Who jammed with legends and left them speechless .It’s a lot you didn’t see yet on this short version of their performance!
This performance brought Alvin Lee to the attention of the American audience. He was absolutely phenomenal. I saw the band twice & they were superb.
I have to add, that even though these Woodstock performances were great, it was pretty typical of the kind of shows these bands put on all the time. It was an incredible era for LIVE concert bands.
Ten Years After came to Duke University in 1971 with Yes as opening act. Didn't see them because I chose to go to Charlotte to see the Who. Don't regret that just wish they hadn't been on the same night. That was just how it was in those days. So many great bands at the height of their careers on the road
Coming from the UK we used to see Ten Years After quite often. This was a typical performance of "Going Home". TYA were a brilliant band and Alvin Lee a magnificent guitarist...
Alvin was an absolute monster guitarist. Could do everything - hard rock, ballads, blues, soul, and shred beyond belief. His band, Ten Years After, had some of the best rock albums of the time. Great choice to review.
Alvin was an excellent jazz player and delved into progressive rock, too. Ten Years After was so much more than just a British blues band. They evolved into one of the best bands of their time.
I'm 67 years old I was taught that song at the age of 13 my father showed me how to play it .For a 13 year old kid to play that song on guitar in south Phila. was un heard of, and I was known for that song with others. I takes me back Going Home. Now these days I want to re do it with setting the world on fire from this song . It's been my Quest for over 6 months before I seen this show. I know I must do this song and put it on you tube it's part of my legacy I owe it to myself. Thank you for this show.
That brought back so many great memories!!! Thank you again! Have not missed a reaction yet!🤘🔥
I was in the Navy overseas when Woodstock happened . But I`m sure glad it was filmed and filmed hi quality . And thanks very much for putting this video together ! !
Alvin Lee, the lead guitarist and lead vocalist, was one the most underrated guitarist ever! He could hold his own with all the other great guitarists.
I agree , I saw them on Frankfort Germany IN 1969
Yeah, he wasn't intimidated by anyone; he hung out with George Harrison, went backstage to see Jimmi Hendrix, who respected him, etc.
He's my favorite guitarist to this day. I had the pleasure of seeing him play in concert.
ALVIN LEE is not underrated to me - ALVIN LEE is in a class all his own !
Rory Gallagher was another great, criminally underrated guitarist.
He was a total prodigy. As a kid when they didn't let him bring a guitar to school, he brought in a guitar neck in his book bag and practiced fingering chords under the desk, they say. He lived down the road from George Harrison; they were friends; both knew who the real guitar expert was. One of his best tracks is "I can't keep from crying" live and Winterland 1975. His finger dexterity is God given, like those who take to typing 120 words a minute without mistakes.
No one has mentioned that this version chops a huge chunk out of the middle of the performance. The full version has much more impact when he comes back in at full volume.
Bummer, that!!
Please redo the full length
My favorite guitarist in the world listen to you give me loving ten years after
That's Alvin Lee singing/playing guitar. Amazing blues musician, noted for his lightning-fast guitar playing. His work after leaving TYA is worth digging into.
Hey, Amber. That pretty red guitar with the peace symbol on it is a Gibson ES 335. Alvin's was called " Big Red" and he was known as Captain Speed fingers. I first saw a cherry red ES 335 being played by Chuck Berry and then Alvin's really knocked me out.
I swore if I could afford it I'd buy one just like theirs, Alvin's peace symbol as well. Finally got my Gibson ES 335 but I bought an ebony one instead.
And one of the best blues guitarist ! Saw him in 89 or 90 in a small venue and near the end of the night, turned around opened a guitar case and asked if anyone remembers this guitar, it was the one he's playing now played more blues on it, this song was the encore on the guitar
RIP Alvin !
Alvin Lee, was the front man rocker for Peace and Love, and human right in the world. I saw his concert in 1975 in Los Angeles, with his amazing guitar play. R I P
I'd love to change the world would be where I go next with them. It is remarkable to me how clear the video and audio is considering where they were performing and the age of everything. I love how you can see his breath and how that song would make a person want to dance and stay warm. Totally love the passion. I was about 3 and in a different country so no direct woodstock experience, but I love it so much anyway.
I was 12 years old when my dad took me to see the movie. Having been raised on Easter European classical music, this was bit if a game changer. Did Alvin Lee continue in Ten Years Later?
That puts the legend in legendary. Respect.
Ten Years After is great and Alvin Lee was a very well regarded guitarist. I think that's a bit shortened video. Try "Good morning Little Schoolgirl", I'd Love to Change the World"
The late 60's had such an explosion of fantastic music it was incredible ....live performances from so many artists ingrained in musical history .... when I see these performances, it takes me right back to that time and vibe ....so glad I lived it.
You hit it on the head! All of these groups are live and play at full potential. Many groups these days are lost if not recorded in the studio. Love you guys!
Bobby G
Ten Years After was relatively unknown to US audiences prior to their Woodstock performance. Leo Lyons, the bassist, was asked afterwards by a reporter what it felt like to be an over night sensation. He replied' Not too bad. It only took us 8 years'. After this they went on to tour the US and the world, their prime years were from 1969-1975.
Alvin Lee on the guitar. For sheer speed, he is very nearly unmatched. An underrated guitarist. I first saw this performance at one of those old "midnight" screenings of a "rock film" at a movie theater. I can't remember the order of the performances, but by the time this came on, the audience might have already seen The Who or Santana or Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, or Joe Cocker. It was a late night audience of stoners, so the atmosphere had been pretty chill. People got up and danced in the aisles when this song started.
He’s awesome he plays like he’s not going to see tomorrow
Alvin was frenetic and wondrous as was Rory Gallagher :)
The Who and Santana played Saturday. This was late Sunday night or early Monday morning.
Frank Marino Mahogany Rush is bad ass too!
@@jessepruit8385 m.ua-cam.com/video/PtP3w1JQoEw/v-deo.html
This was one of several performances by bands that played Woodstock that helped bring them a much wider audience after people saw them rock out in the movie. But I gotta tell ya, this is just a fraction of his performance of this song in the original movie. You missed out on about 5 to 6 minutes of him doing a medley of classic 1950's rock and roll songs that influenced him. So you're comment about his Elvis moment was spot on. He also takes the music way down to almost a whisper before the big explosive ending which adds even more impact. Track down the complete song from the movie with the triple camera shots to get the full impact. Then do us a reaction of Ten Years After doing I Want To Change The World, or One of These Days off their LP A Space in Time.
Yes, this part unfortunately is missing. "..........One for the money, two for the show, better get ready, now go cat go. Don 't you step on my blue suede shoes. You can do anything but stay off my blue suede shoes................."
By far the very best live performance of a piece of music I heard/saw since I saw the Woodstock movie, I guess it was in 1972.
Great song, Woodstock was more about the music it didn’t have to have a meaning just do what you feel and the people loved it ✌️
Ten Years After was my favorite band in high school. I was lucky enough to see them in the late 60s early 70s and If you like 10 years after I think one of their best songs is I would love to change the world, it's a must listen to
Their song "I'd love to change the world" is a classic
Or homophobic garbage. One or the other.
@@Jessica_Roth LOL, you're free to interpret it any way you like, but you reached pretty low for that one.
do you like "Religion" too?
I just came across your video and I was soooo thrilled that you chose this song. I am a 61 year old white guy and my Uncle gave the Woodstock album to me when I was 11 in 1971. From Richie Havens to Jimi playing the Star Spangled Banner to the small crowd at the end, I was hooked on the blues and Rock and Roll.
I felt the identical electricity you felt as a pimple faced punk in Indiana. That electricity you felt is what Rock and Blues are all about. To see you guys with my same joy made me emotional.
There were so many great performances at Woodstock but “I’m going Home” was pure kick add blues rock. But i also loved Santana playing Soul Sacrifice and the incredible “Dance to the Music” by Sly and the Family Stone. I urge you guys to check those out.
You did comment about Alvin Lee being an extension of his guitar but that was not unique to Woodstock. Blues and rock performers are totally into the music and the performance. I saw the Stevie Ray Vaughn image in your wall so obviously you know him but I also invite you to check out Joe Bonamassa and Robert Randolph and the Family Band , the Brian Setzer Orchestra. Hell I could go in for hours.
But you find the key to the knowledge of the Universe so aptly put by Muddy Waters: “The Blues had a baby and they named in Rock and Roll”
Great job guys. You gave this old dude joy to see your joy.
A few points:
1.) Because Amber did background research on the Woodstock topic prior to reactions sets her apart from other reactors on UA-cam in a big way. I would encourage them to study the historical context of other songs as well, not just Woodstock material.
2.) Yes, the performances were extra loose and free. No light shows, choreography, just music. No advertising except for the Portapotty service. Playing in front of 300,000 people brings out the unpredictable in artists. Okay, Sha Na Na had some choreography and wardrobe.
3.) You discovered an exceptional underrated guitarist from the era. You should also check out Rory Gallagher (6th request as a subscriber for this):ua-cam.com/video/GazzTFxXGeE/v-deo.html
Couldn't have said it better!!
Yes, the "I have no idea what I'm looking at" shtick gets a little old. At least have an idea of what you're going to listen to.
Remember, it's not just us old farts going, "Good. They like our music. Old schools is best school." Reactors such as Rob Squad are introducing youngsters to the great music too. Better that they know something about it.
@@iDuckman Agreed. If they learn about Woodstock, they will likely learn about VietNam, Watergate and why we are in the situation we are in now. I'm all for exposing younger people to what was going on with popular music and why we heard what we heard back then. Beatles, MTV, parasitic music industry, internet are all factors.
Oh yes, PLEASE react to Rory Gallagher, either this
I Wonder Who Belfast 84
ua-cam.com/video/9Iypw6ZPAPo/v-deo.html
or this
A Million Miles Away Irish Tour 74 (video)
ua-cam.com/video/RxiEMpcI83E/v-deo.html
Actually it’s Porta- san
This was a shortened version of the performance, but it was fun to see Jay's eyes so wide in amazement. I was at Woodstock and it was just as described. Nuf said.
"I'd Love To Change The World" is probably Ten Years After's biggest hit, although not performed at Woodstock, maybe someday on some other video.
I'd love to change the world is probably one of their most popular songs , but it's my guess that it is because that was one of their mellower songs that could be played on the radio , I know , love like a man made it in the top 40 , but the rest of their stuff was not made for radio popularity..
This was the music that we were privileged to hear in the 60s (yes, I'm old)
The song is actually much longer. Alvin Lee was known as the fastest fingers in rock. At the time of this song, Woodstock was in a weather break for a few hours because the promoters were of afraid of electrocuting the performers. TYA was the first band to play and this was the first song they played.
This was their encore. The full set was: Spoonful, Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Hobbit, I Can't Keep from Crying Sometimes, Help Me, I'm Going Home.
The rain storm was earlier on Sunday during daylight hours, in between Joe Cocker and Country Joe and the Fish.
You're correct that this edit cuts out about half of the song.
I saw 10 Years After in 1974 at the San Francisco Cow Palace. This is how he performed, every time! Not many have heard of Alvin Lee but he was one of the best rock/blues guitarists of all time. Thanks for doing this! Brings back a great memory of a night in San Francisco with his guitar vibrating through every cell of my body.
For many of the performers this was the time to shine!! Half a million people and freedom to be whoever you wanted to be. Most got that "city" rocking. And this was a shortened version. Alvin Lee kept that energy cranking even longer.
Yeah I didn't know there was a video with Woodstock footage for this shortened version! JAY AND AMBER THE STUFF THAT GOT CUT IS MOAR GUITAR SOLO 🎸🎶👍☮❤
His guitar playing blew me away! He was the fastest around back then. I love this clip. Made me want to play guitar. I even bought a cherry red ES 335. Love Alvin Lee. And that is the shortest clip from this performance I’ve ever seen. This song is twice this length.
One of the most bad ass live performances ever!🎸 the bass player along with Alvin Lee was amazing, the whole band rocked!
One of the best live concerts I ever seen was with Ten Years After.Some real tight,rockin' blues from a true guitar great,Alvin Lee.
"I'd Love to Change the World" is one of the best songs ever. The lyrics are still very relevant. Rock on all.
Probably the greatest guitarist of the entire classic rock era that no one sadly ever seems to talk about. Alvin Lee was pure lightning in his fingertips and pure ability in his approach. He carried the same 3 nicknames his entire career for a reason, I.E., Captain Speedfingers, Fastest Guitar in the West, and my personal favorite the Man Who Played Faster Than His Shadow. Note: You guys used a horribly cut to shreds video uploaded on UA-cam. The entire performance can be found at this link: ua-cam.com/video/2YB7qyn5MVs/v-deo.html Even if you don't do another reaction to the entire performance, which IMO you should, at least watch the entire performance and treat yourselves to one of rock's legendary bands giving an epic performance!!
The guitarist, Alvin Lee, also performed as a solo act later in his career, during which time he collaborated with a number of notable musicians, including John Mayall, Mick Taylor (of the Rolling Stones), and George Harrison. I recommend "Bluest Blues" as an Alvin Lee song that really highlights his skills as a guitarist, and the song also features George Harrison on the slide guitar.
My first real concert was Alvin Lee opening for Steppenwolf and the Marshall Tucker Band out at the Sturgis bike rally. Alvin was actually my fave of the three acts.
I saw the Alvin Lee Band at the Montreal Forum in 1980. At one point he broke a string and let the Bass player do a ten minute bass solo and then jumped back in without missing a beat. I have never heard such a loud and joyous standing ovation in my life and they were not even the main act. They did this song probably even longer and that energy stayed in that building for many years after.
Although this was an edited version, it did show the greatness of Alvin Lee. For a different take on him, try “The Bluest Blues”, I think you will like it!
Yes, with George Harrison playing slide guitar in the first solo. Great stuff!
When I saw this reaction come up on my suggested videos, a huge smile came up on my face. This is THE best performance at Woodstock in my opinion, and that's saying a lot! Thank y'all so much for this one! I second someone ones suggestion of Richie Haven's "Freedom." Love you guys!
Good one..I like Santana..Soul Sacrifice
ten years after to me was the best
@@pattiehernandez769 yes yes yes!
Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock was the peak especially with Star spangled banner.Machine Gun,it was early morning by the time they got to play instead of around midnight the night before? As one headline act. But Soul Sacrifice by Santana is up there..as far as Guitar goes .
Was at Woodstock. There are many stories not seen in any film. The traffic jam was horrendous. Walked over 10 miles to get into the music festival with a mass of humans. That, too, was a unique experience that brought a sense of common spirit amongst a half a million souls.
And Arlo Guthrie is still around I figured with his family history he wouldn't make senior years. In the moment!😊
the New York throughway was closed down and for $18.00, we just didn't think it was worth it.
I'm so glad you got to experience Ten Years After. Yes those were some Wild and Crazy days. Seen them twice and always filled the place with High Energy. More you get, the crazier you get. GOOD WARNINGS!!!
On the song “Bluest Blues”, George Harrison of Beatles fame plays the “slide” guitar at the 2:13-3:08 interval, but it’s all Alvin Lee on lead guitar from 4:00-7:27. Pure magic! 🎸🎼
That song is their best.
Great tip. They lived near each other in England, I heard, and saw each other a lot.
Just for clarity, I presume you are referring to an album recording because George Harrison was not at the Woodstock festival.
Its always good to hear all those great Blues&Rock Bands,from the 1960's,into the1970's) Alvin Lee with Ten Years After the king of The World in Rock N Roll/ Blues! Another great Rock N Roll Band was:John Kay with his Band mates of Steppenwolf! Just listen to their hit songs! All have a powerful message of the troubling times in the (1960's&the 1970's!) Smash Hits:Born to be Wild,Monster/Suicide,Jupiters Child&Its Never too Late! Still a whole lot more of treasured songs! Still have a powerful impact on so many then and now! Peace&Love is still comes Around!!
I am one of the biggest Ten Years After fans , love it that you guys decided to check this out , not sure where you found this version , but this is short , there's a lot that was cut out of the middle , it's actually over a ten minute song !! Another good one to check out is HELP ME , from the RECORDED LIVE album ! Don't get too far away from TEN YEARS AFTER please , keep on jammin!!!!!
I bought the Recorded Live album in 1973 or 74. I have also bought the CD version to save my vinyl version.
@@martinconnelly1473 A year or two after I bought the album I recorded it on cassette to save the album , then a few years later I recorded the cassette onto another cassette because the first one was getting wore out . I'm just getting ready to find the CD . YES , excellent album!!!!!
Alvin Lee was an amazing guitarist. He was known as the fastest guitarist in the west. I saw him perform at the Pantages in Hollywood and he absolutely blew the place apart. Although it is a somewhat slower song than this one, you should listen to I'd Love to Change the World.
This song 50 years later still kicks ass
once you open that door you can never go back , it sticks with yu for ever
I remember seeing this performance in the Woodstock movie 50 years ago when I was 10. It totally blew me away, and still does today.
Sadly this version is heavily edited. The original performance is almost 11 minutes long.
RIP Alvin Lee.
Yeah, I was thinking it was longer in the movie -- didn't he briefly go into a few early rock tunes during the song, like Johnny B Goode?
@@DJHolte He incorporates parts of Blue Suede Shoes and Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On
Y aquíen le importa eso no la escuches y ya quédate con la original
Alvin Lee was an absolute "Monster" on the guitar. The guy was as fast as you can get in Perfect Time. Pretty good voice too. His band is great.
Love this! So glad you are doing this one.
I saw these guys at the "Isle of Wight pop Festival"1971.Play "Love like a Man"over 600,000 or more Hippies were there!! Amazing 🇬🇧👍
Their signature song is "I'd Love to Change the World".Kingston Trio also had a song called I'm Going Home that is a nice folk tune.
Alvin Lee is a stone-cold badass on guitar. The whole Woodstock movie is pretty solid. Some gems in the stuff that was cut if you can find them. Another great experience is the Monterey Pop Festival from 1967. If you watch/react to anything from that, I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend Ravi Shankar's performance. Performing standard Indian Raga. There are 2 versions, a shorter 5 minute and the full 18 minute epic masterpiece. He puts on a masterclass not just for the Sitar, but any instrument. Beyond insane how good he is. He goes off on that Sitar. The crowd is absolutely enthralled and gives a huge standing ovation at the end. In the longer video, you will the likes of Jimi Hendrix, both Mama Cass and Michelle Phillips from the Mamas and the Papas, Mickey Dolenz from the Monkees, Al Kooper from Blood, Sweat and Tears. I as I am sure others would love to see you react to this. Check it out.
Alvin Lee is one of the most underrated guitarist. Amazing talent
Yeah, there's a video that compares 4 of the best guitarists on YT back to back and it runs Clapton, SRV, Van Halen, and Alvin Lee. Alvin has great ear and is more melodious that Van Halen, I think.
What study said he was ever underrated????? I was in my early 20's in August, 1969, and there was Nothing Underrated about Alvin Lee and Ten Years After..... You were not there, you know nothing... :)
@@frandanco6289 I don't need a study to know he's underrated. A lot of times when people are discussing guitarists and that great music I was raised hearing his name doesn't come up as much as it should in my opinion. I think we all agree he's amazing. You're right, I wasn't there. I was 2 in 1969
TOTALLY UNDERRATED! While TYA did get alotta attention in England, Alvin Lee was NEVER given the same respect as Clapton, Hendrix, Page, Jeff Beck etc . And Alvin was EVERY bit as good as his peers, in his prime. 😎
Oh yes, seriously
I think it was like an audition to the world what these bands could do.
Yes, Yes, Yes, Alvin Lee Bluest Blues- -Bluest Blues- -Bluest Blues- -Bluest Blues- -Bluest Blues- -Bluest Blues- -Bluest Blues- -Bluest Blues--
Pinballman1
They were entertaining and playing to a crowd of 500,000!! Energy to feed off of!!
Their song that got played most on FM radio in the 70's and 80's is "I'd Love to Change the World." It's a beautiful masterpiece that also rocks.
Alvin was shredding before that term was used. He was so quick, it was nuts!! He stood at 6ft 6in, and was a bundle of power. I will never forget seeing this for the first time. I was cross-eyed.
Alvin Lee is one of the worlds most underrated guitarists. He was truly amazing! His band, Ten Years After, also had a great hit called, "Change the World"....a slower paced but awesome tune!
was
I like their My baby left me.
Never underrated...
Alvin was so cute! Full of soul. ❤
1969 was my senior year in high school. Stop and imagine that. We heard about Woodstock on the radio and saw some of the acts on TV afterword. Some performances like Janis Joplin and Richie Havens were released as singles and were getting airplay. But the BIG EVENT locally in 1970 was the film release of the music documentary (first of its kind) in the theaters: Woodstock (the movie)
I made this the occasion my first grown up date. My date as a sweat girl whom I had recently accompanied, at the request of her family, to the military funeral of her older brother who had been killed in a helicopter crash in Vietnam. Her brother Mike and I had played on the same little league team. In another video you mentioned Country Joe and the Fish and the Feelin' Like I'm'a Fixin' To Die Rag. You can imagine sitting next to my date, sister of a dead soldier whom we had just buried, and me with my draft card already in my wallet. That was my first grown up date. Sally married the son of a produce supplier in northern Indiana. I later enlisted in the US Coast Guard rather than go to Canada or to hide out on the hashish trail to Nepal.
Remember seeing the debut of the movie in my home city. People were singing and dancing in their seats and in the aisles. It was pandemonium and we loved it. All of us wished thatwe had been at Woodstock on that very special weekend.
This was not just a Woodstock thing for him. Every album, every concert. Old Blues song, done much slower. Saw him live. 10 minutes after he left the stage, we were still walking out. His guitar was still putting out feedback. His Little Schoolgirl kicksass.
The WHO rocked. Crosby, Stills, Nash rocked. Jimi Hendrix closed Woodstock...Joan Baez, all so goid.🙏
Ten Years After is my favorite band if all time! I was thrilled to watch your reactions. I was a bit young for Woodstock but did get to see them 3 different times in the 70’s & they always absolutely rocked the place apart. Alvin Lee has not received the recognization of being one of the greats like he should be! Ric Lee & Leo Lyons were first rate too!! This has brought back THE best memories in my life thank you!!!
Saw them live 3 times and yes, he always plays with that intensity. But when he plays mellow it is equally wonderful. Try their song "I'd Love to Change the World"
What made these bands so GREAT and what made Woodstock so fantastic was that these bands almost ALWAYS brought their A Game. That is why they got invited to Woodstock. Meaning whether they played in a lil club of 300 people, a concert of 3,000 or festival of 300,000. The spirit, the energy, the realness, their commitment to their music was always there. Thus bands like Ten Years After, Santana, Richie Havens, Janis Joplin, Mountain, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Sly and the Family Stone, Johnny Winter were perfect for a festival like Woodstock.
You asked those of us who were at Woodstock to check in, so I am. Whatever you've seen or heard about Woodstock can only hint at what it was actually like. The whole mood there was so positive, so hopeful. so amazing. I went back for the 50th anniversary in 2019, and when I drove onto the grounds and saw the site again, I actually got lightheaded. It was that powerful an experience. As you've noted, all the performances there were intense, but really that's what all concerts were like at that time. I saw Ten Years After a couple of other times, including earlier that year, and they were no less incendiary. This video, maybe more than others, really captures that intensity best. But this video is actually an edited version of the song. You should really see the longer version--the dynamics are more powerful there.
Prolly an acid flashback lol
They say that Jimi Hendrix was standing by the stage with a big smile on his face!! He knew
RIP mister Alvin Lee thank you for what you give to us 😍
Alvin Lee, the lead guitar and singer for Ten Years After,,,, I'm going home. was an incredible performer, who unfortunately passed in 2013. I had the great fortune of seeing his performance at Woodstock, live........it was remarkable then, and it still is after all these years. RIP Alvin Lee.