Alvin Lee - Saguitar

The album title Saguitar is based on his star sign Sagittarius. There are 14 blistering new tracks, all written by ALVIN, that include rockers like Anytime U Want Me and more reflective pieces such as The Squeeze. This song evokes that special time of day devoted to reflection. The Squeeze comes just before you go to sleep at night and start thinking about the day and wondering Did I do right? One of my greatest joys is writing songs and it s a magical experience. I sit there with my Big Red Gibson guitar and a tape recorder and pluck themes out of the ether.

One surprise item is Rapper, built up from drum loops. Explains ALVIN: I stuck all these drum rhythms together, which is really rather cool. I did my own drum fills and laid some hot guitar over the top. It s a rap song, some people have said is fantastic.

Alvin is delighted with Saguitar and says that tunes like Motel Blues make his hair bristle. It creates a melancholic moment and that produces the best kind of music. A lot of my songs like Midnite Train are not really personal. I just put myself into a Mississippi mode, although I haven t been to a train station in years. It s all about the romance of the road and hopping on freight trains. Overall though, this is a non-traveling album. Saguitar, follows the critically acclaimed album from 2004, Alvin Lee In Tennessee, which was recorded with rock n roll legends Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana, Elvis Presley s original band, and followed by an extensive UK tour.

As a Sagittarian, ALVIN feels his personal characteristics are fairly well defined. A Sagittarian is supposed to be outgoing; he s symbolized by a man s head and torso on a horse holding a bow and arrow. Just like me. So I guess Saguitar is now the 13th sign of the Zodiac. Sounds like witchcraft doesn t it? Must be a Black Sabbath album! Product Description

40 years after Alvin Lee Still Shines

This is a strong 4 stars. The only song I don't like is the first track. You get absolutely stellar guitar work from Mr. Lee. You get some good rock songs, a rockabilly tune, a rapp song, and 4 or 5 great blues songs. In other words a nice variation. If you like blues heavy rock this is a very enjoyable listening experience. Good songwriting, excellent lead guitar with some impressive jams on the rock tunes, a very successful and creative rapp tune, and some real blues gems. Nice work Mr. Lee. November 15, 2008

Saguitar: Move Along.....Nothing to Hear Here!

Alvin Lee rapping? Well I guess I've heard it all now.As I sit here and tap my keyboard,I find it difficult to write what I truly feel about this album.After all,I've seen Alvin Lee live twice,as well as Ten Years After.I've purchased and repurchased most of the TYA catalog several times in my life.So Alvin is like an old friend.But loyalty to my music purchasing brethern forces me to come clean.

While Mr. Lee's guitar playing is somewhat crisp,the backing instruments ie;drums and bass sound wooden and unremarkable.While this normally wouldn't be a problem,it does drag Alvin's guitar work down with it.Also,the drumming sounds mechanical and uneventful.It's my understanding that a drum machine was used throughout this recording (bad idea).Also, while there are many styles of music here,the rockers all sound the same and are basically indistinguishable from one another.There are a couple of okay tracks:"Motel Blues and Blues Has Got a Hold of Me" are bona fide blues incursions and Alvin does his best Elvis impersonations on "Midnight Train" and "Memphis".But most of the stuff here is forgettable.That includes the awkward and embarrassing tune "Rapper" (white men can't jump....or rap,apparently).


All in all,this recording has a "basement" feel to it.And while it's none of my beeswax what Alvin does at this stage of his career,it is my business when he outputs musical drivel like "Saguitar" and expects to be renumerated for his efforts.One would expect that as one of the "elder statesmen" of the second British Invasion,Alvin would be crafting gems at this point by using studio musicians or big name producers and songwriters.There is none of that here.Instead you get Alvin Lee rapping.Save your money... July 30, 2008

Let's Rock

I had the chance to see Alvin with TYA a number of years ago after watching him on the big screen in the Woodstock Documentary. He is has been and still is one of the great rock and roll guitar players of all time. On Saguitar, he shines both playing and singing with his signature sound, This is a quality CD offering and should be picked up by all his fans and fans of rock and roll. Every song will grab you and bring back those good time feelings. Thanks Alvin for this release- You have a loyal fan base in Colorado who would love to see you come out this way. Keep on Rockin' July 3, 2008

A Short Review

It's a crime when a talent like this goes under appreciated. This CD is one of the top "old timers" discs out right now, and that is saying something when you consider Steve Winwood, Robin Trower/Jack Bruce and Joe Cocker have also just released some excellent work. Alvin Lee more that proves he is a master blues/rocker. Buy this disc! June 7, 2008

Alvin Lee' Saguitar

after having seen Alvin Lee on Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival DVD 2 and having Alvin Lee's Ten Years After Live DVD released a few years ago had to buy Saguitar ... Recommended . May 17, 2008

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