Albert Lee - Country Boy

Great version of 'Country Boy' from an old Chas and Dave Christmas Special - Note Eric Clapton in the audience.

[@franrayamusic]

I'm a female singer/songwriter from the UK and I was Eric Clapton's support act on one of his Scandinavian tours. Albert Lee was in his band at that time, along with Gary Brooker, Dave Markee, Chris Stainton and Henry Spinetti. Great musicianship all around me. An amazing, memorable experience to tread the same boards.

[@donny_doyle]

Beautiful! Good for you, seriously- that's very very cool.

[@grahambrown5013]

Fran, I saw that band play in 84 I think, they were all amazing.

[@daisywrabbit]

it’s nice to know that everyone else gets as excited as me when they hear Albert Lee play country boy. Everyone but Eric Clapton, that is.

[@tombstoneharrystudios584]

Actually Albert and Eric are old friends…Eric had been drinking that day and was worried that he wouldn’t be up to playing later

[@ssvsssjs]

One of the greatest guitar players playing one of the greatest songs

[@donny_doyle]

Albert started it all! Kinda... frighteningly good.

[@rockinredneck57]

Started all of what? He's great, but he didn't start the great picking. It was in full swing by the time he got here.

[@cowboy0212]

Albert Lee - world's best guitarist! period

[@philipbrackpool-bk1bm]

Chas and Dave were regarded by some as a novelty act but they were fantastic players , Chas was in head hands and feet with Albert and they were very well thought of by their contemporaries

[@multilinkacs]

Totally brilliant. All us guitar players all wish we could play like Albert. He was always great and still is. Great bit of LIVE telly !!

[@john9944]

NObody can play scales like Albert. I have seen him many times. He played with Rosanne Cash for a while and his work on "My Baby Thinks Hes a Train" is legendary. Between Him, Jeff Beck, Roy Buchanan, Albert Collins and the Paisley Master (James Burton), the Tele has attracted some legendary players. But this is as good as it gets.

[@hoisin75]

The best clip on KZbin, period

[@khdetw]

Eric Clapton said that Albert Lee is the “greatest guitarist in the world.” Now ~that~ is something!

[@robbieclarke5694]

He showed it

[@davidmellish3295]

When did he say that ? Or is that just another unconfirmed rumour ?

[@adamf1347]

And there's a few vids on here with Albert playing and there's Eric in the crowd.

[@richat1691]

he didnt though did he ha. Its just respect.

[@KevinWeilacher]

@@davidmellish3295 Clapton and Lee collaborated for five years, starting in 1978. Recalling that time, Lee recalled how much he loved playing concerts with the fellow guitarist: “He used to go and sit behind his amp there and with a glass of Brandy and a cigarette: ‘Go, Albert, go!'” Lee told Premier Guitar. “He was a lot more fun then - different kind of fun. [Laughs] He was very generous, I got to do quite a bit.” Clapton clearly enjoyed his time with Lee too, later naming him “the greatest guitarist in the world. The ultimate virtuoso. His skill is extraordinary, his ear is extraordinary and he’s gifted on just about every level.”

[@kenfoulsham9952]

My favourite guitar player. Seen him live many times, He is the session man all the stars use on tour. Simply the very best.

[@igrowhigher]

Ritchie Blackmore has told the story of how when he first moved to London he thought he was pretty hot, but the very first guitarist he saw playing there was Albert, and Ritchie immediately started to worry -- "Oh God, are they all this good here?" But he quickly found out that no, you couldn't find an Albert Lee on every block.

[@hpb5495]

Or an Alvin Lee..

[@jrwatson9303]

One in a Million

[@joshuasaltzman2403]

"Note to self: play on different block"

[@bertiebuckley9018]

He played a gig in the Quay bar in Galway on a Tue night years ago it was packed full of musicians from everywhere he amazed everyone with his guitar skills - was a great nite

[@crazykatys77]

just incredible !!!

[@zloop]

he's the best,,,he tours like hell,,i don't see how he stands it,,he's been in our little town in northern sweden twice in 3 years,,weird! but i love it,,he's great live!

[@nickx2148]

Albert is the best! A true gentleman. Always has time for his fans. Going to see him in November at Hunstanton. Plenty of tickets left!

[@robertpamler5372]

Great guitar player Albert Lee.

[@quentinfernandez4673]

Fascinating guitarist. Very few who can keep up with him

[@WillHeyes]

Live music at it's best ! 😊

[@Hurricanehamo]

Thank you Chris. About a min in thinking did i just see chubby eric, then thinking this is so london, then realising thats fkn chaz n dave. Wonderful stuff. Got to see albert in the early 90's. Stunning musician.

[@matteovrizzi]

Eric Clapton's incredulous face says it all!

[@tombstoneharrystudios584]

He's friends with Albert but on the night he'd been drinking and was a bit nervous for the live jam later He was fine however....theses rock star, eh? Delicate flowers!

[@strangher11]

@@tombstoneharrystudios584 well he had a tough nite searching for his jaw that dropped to the floor ...

[@guitarhoihoi]

He plays a difficult performance with a smile.

[@Quinnikon]

I Remember watching this the night it was on Tele ...went out the next day a bought the single on the A&M Label .... still love the way this guy plays it amazes me still years later TY For the memory Quinny

[@markstarr21]

More folks need to know how great Albert Lee is....Steve Morse is my favorite guitar player for a variety of reasons...his versatility is unreal..his country and blue grass style of playing no doubt was influenced by Albert Lee...this is a great performance.

[@daveghaxton]

I remember seeing an article in a music mag where Albert, Steve and Eddie Van Halen were doing a showcase for their Ernie Ball signature models.. Would love to have been there to see that

[@wisesatyr72]

Best country guitarist from England

[@roddythered]

I saw Albert Lee and Hogans Heroes a couple of weeks ago, absolutely mind blowing. Judging by his appearance, the video is a good few years ago, but believe me, his technique is as good now as it ever was, even though he recently broke his arm! Can strongly recommend.

[@kingstumble]

Shown again tonight on Channel 5!!!! Fantastic!

[@tombstoneharrystudios584]

Watched it twice with the other half...well, she forgave me cos its Albert Lee and she had gotten me his DVD signed by the great man!

[@lirumguppy]

well, no one can bring back the good times, all we can do is working on making this time good times - i try by being very careful with my daughter (8) - i'm very much underway with her and she can read animals' tracks and sings even on the street (which i'm very happy of, because no one sings publicly here in germany) and i work for her being open and nice... i don't know if this makes sense in this conversation but i see so many parents letting their kids watcht tv and play computer all day...

[@TheQ-Continuum]

Great atmosphere. Chas n Dave's Rockney style of music - live music how it should be. None of this miming here for these guys !!

[@Gapples007]

Well I've been lucky enough to see play live quite few times now, always such a treat, was due to go see him again in May but he has broke his arm in a fall while in Paris, get well soon Albert, simply the best

[@iceonaboy]

Chas and Dave came out with some pure pish but they are fucking talented musicians and well respected in musical circles

[@mikeystrafford]

Chaz Jankel, Dave Peacock.... Who Else? FANTASTIC Geetar pickin' blind boy. Albert rocks. Saw him loads of times in the 80's / 90's and he was ALWAYS note perfect. Gone are the days Mikey xx

[@allmancolin]

Comparisons between Albert & Eric are ridiculous, they are each masters of their chosen genres and as it happens they are, and always have been, the best of friends, each admiring the others playing. In Alberts case he is unique and I can think of no other player who has given me such pleasure over the years. He is amazing live and now, at the age of 70 is playing as well as, if not better than ever

[@omblackwell1183]

+allmancolin Spot on mate! The KZbin psyche (usually testosterone fueled) loves to set up one against another. Guitarists, cars, special forces,... you name it. Fortunately it has always been possible to have more than one and equal star in a constellation.

[@fretboardmaster70]

I have seen Clapton live 4 times and although the concerts were in themselves entertaining, I always had the impression that he’s bored and going through the motions. Hardly ever introduced his band. Albert Lee on the other hand….. purely entertaining and humble with it. Albert even packed away his own equipment and had a chat with fans and signed autographs after his gigs. For me they are like day and night.

[@biggaspirit1]

Just off to see Albert at the Boom Boom Club Sutton. It will be good.

[@mickmcnulty8200]

Wow, if only I had known. Is it still at the back of the Young's pub, that I have forgotten the name of?

[@kundalinipsych]

Whenever I hear him play this I get HUGE chills. I don't even listen to things like this normally. He's just got it.

[@matthewtzivakis9567]

The telecaster sounds so good! Wish he would always use it

[@evanssm1]

It's the Chas & Dave Xmas Special from the early 80s. The studio was set up like a traditional cockney pub, so some of the more eccentric fashions are actually fancy dress. Eric Clapton is indeed in the audience. He played 2 songs on the show -- "Slow Down Linda" & "Goodnight Irene". I think that EC played his (in)famous purple strat. If my memory is right, then it's possible to date the show precisely to the 2wk period in the early 80s when it was cool to be seen with a purple strat.

[@Chichesterfrotesque1001]

Albert Lee ,talent oozing from every pore and really humble guy.

[@stewesthead4386]

A young appreciative Eric who just pinched one of his licks 😉

[@ramjet174]

Yes it would be. I've Just been listen to Albert Lee And his brother, Albert, sense The 70s first heard On a Double Album Set of Jerry Lee Lewis Got hooked. These Were The Good session playing back then. Even Roy Buchanan was on the same recording. Just A bunch of great pickers.

[@cybertiledude]

Good for you. Learning different styles will only make a guitarist better at whatever style he plays.

[@tombstoneharrystudios584]

Zakk Wylde said that it was a chance viewing of Albert's tuition tape in a music shop that gave him inspiration to avoid the neo-classsicalisms and tapped arpeggios of his contemporaries and add some chicken picking' to his heavy metal arsenal

[@Pvhstratocaster]

I love this! Country style is really cool and Albert lee rocks!

[@Scribbler68]

Brilliant stuff. This was "Chas n Dave's Christmas Knees Up". And it was Christmas Day 1982. (And Eric Clapton was there because he was another of the guests on the show).

[@3niknicholson]

god, he's so fkn good he makes me choke up, I love you Albert!

[@bigboijc]

Suzie...then you are blessed to know the guitar player's guitar player. this song is one of my favorites. My dad played bass on the Skaggs version of this so everytime i hear either this version or the skaggs version i think "one of the two greatest country guitar players i've ever listened to..came from England" The other one being Ray Flacke

[@tryoutaudioireland]

I could genuinely look at this every day of my life and it would put me in a better mood each time. Unreal!!!

[@jedrogers211]

I have great respect and admiration for Albert Lee. I've learned so much from watching Albert and it's served me quite well gigging in Texas.

[@jazz1bro]

I'm amazed at Albert's musical thinking and stay amazed at the different possibilities in all music's. First time I really checked him out. I find myself listening more "out of the box" and appreciate mainly hard earned individuality: Albert Lee, Roy Buchanan, Benson, Wes, Herb, Pat, Kenny B., Allan Holdsworth, BB, Albert King, Albert Collins,Django,Hendrix, Paco De and many others/instruments. It's all great!

[@peterguit]

This is what country sounds like with a smokin' band mr Denison ;-)! Great pickin'of britain's best....

[@codsack]

Clapton was definately not bored. This looks to be in the late 70's or possibly early 80's. He was in his Tulsa Time/Lay Down Sally phase then and often wore a cowboy hat to shows. He was more likely embarrassed/envious than bored.

[@tombstoneharrystudios584]

He'd been on the beer and chips for the night and was a little out of practice. However, he played well later that night Chas Hodges said so in his memoirs!

[@DCHurlford1]

Phenomenal guitarist. My Dad and his mate are going to see him in Troon, Scotland this coming week.

[@bigboijc]

when I first heard Skaggs do this I had no idea that american country was so far reaching that anyone outside of the U.S. could write such a great song (I was a kid back then and didn't know a thing) but since i started listening to Albert Lee i started learning.

[@darrylwynwilliams1760]

Fantastic Player .

[@builderbro2650]

I saw EC with Stainton a couple of weeks ago. It is so cool that these guys can still play to their potential at mid-sixties ages.

[@QBtracksandstuff]

And played with NO DELAY, top man...

[@rallful]

Albert first recorded this with Head, Hands and Feet - Chas (Hodges) was also a member. It is on YT.

[@paulconnelly523]

I first bought the album hiding on vinyl. Albert played a session with a fantastic birkenhead guitarist Alan Greer they were mesmerising playing the Beatles convention.august bank holiday. They played dueling banjo for about 2o minutes. Luckily I was there to see it. Absolutely class xxx

[@keggers101]

heres one for you all Chas Hodges was the one who came up with the run down to e for the solo part of country boy,Albert signed my Blade THS last year at a Hogans Heroes gig we sat on the second row in a small function room in a pub

[@buddybeetle]

FanFuckintastic. Mr Albert Lee.

[@bjr713]

i have never seen so many people getting down. fantastic!

[@DaoineEile]

Albert Lee's techniques are musically tempting an' make a big surprise! Which one among such guitarists who wanna be called virtuosos knows to play like him, tell me please? Well, howe'er I may not need to bring Chris Broderick in this topic :D

[@smuffjules]

Best version of Country boy ever......just a great feel and groove. Perfect tempo.

[@jamespasifull3424]

How can it be a 'version'? He WROTE it!! 😲

[@NashvilleTuneStream]

@@jamespasifull3424 Yes. He’s done lots of different versions. Maybe I ought to say “performances.”

[@stanleychinn1550]

You know that you're damn good when God (Clapton) is in the audience watching you perform.

[@lirumguppy]

well, that's one reason not to look to much on stars of today and one reason for me to love youtube - to get the chance to witness young and unknown talents and club music which you will never get on the radio... oh, i found quite a few... i agree, that the stars are not allowed to show or even have too much personality.. still i smile about the thought how the fans of teenage music of today will go on about the "good old days when their stars used to make real music" thanx for answering-cheers

[@M4than]

0:47 that clapton's face xD priceless

[@markesquivelarvizu6942]

He got the 2nd Place medal

[@mike777meridian]

Those white folk are having a good time. Reminds me of Dave Chapelle s skit about how different ethnic groups respond to different instruments. White folks love guitars, a little spirits make it even better.

[@DaveNightingaleRADIO]

The show this is from, Chas n Dave's Christmas Knees Up, is enjoying a repeat on Channel 5 in the UK, on Christmas Day night. Well worth a watch if you've never seen it in full! :)

[@samjane71]

Sadly Channel 5 didn't quite show it in full- Jim Davidson's slot was edited out! Never mind, we saw most of this cracking LWT production.

[@Katsem]

great talent!!!

[@RHCPFer]

The best country guitar player ! I love the song of this fender telecaster

[@williammorris3620]

There are a few guitarists who do what THEY do as well as Albert, but nobody who does what HE does as well as him!

[@moonwoofmars]

hard to argue that,but closer than any would come would be Roy Clark & The wizard Steve Morse,Chet Atkins luv to them all

[@jubbaronny]

@@moonwoofmarsDanny Gatton, Vince Gill, Brad Paisley……. There are a few with this special gift, but not many.

[@rockinredneck57]

​@jubbaronny Gatton, Don Rich, Burton, Buck Owens, before any of them, started the Bakersfield twang sound in the 50s. Today, we have Johnny Hiland, Redd Volkaert (who replaced Roy Nichols in Merle Haggard's band), Bill Kirchen, Brent Mason, Steve Wariner CGP, Kenny Vaughn, John Jorgenson all among the current greats.

[@shawncurtis3813]

Unbelievably talented guitarist!

[@pount76]

Thanks for postin' this. It's gotta be said Clapton couldn't tie Bert's shoe laces! Nice to see him reunited with his ol' mate from Head Hands And Feet on the piano. Albert's a great personality too in contrast to Clapton's 'duller than dishwater' deminer.

[@Rikk303]

26years on and he still is a string strangler.Did the guy get dropped here from some alien craft 40 years ago or something?C&W and Bluegrass pickers are as different to metal as Formula 1 is to rallying if you get my drift.Love you all xxxx

[@phildirt3]

he has played with clapton clapton does look at him with awe

[@spib65]

Spot on,..It just makes you want to weep doesn't it? thanks for posting this,. I think I saw it at the time, but so much has happened since, you lose track,...bring back the good times!,.nice one!.

[@PeterVonRock]

I saw one of those concerts (Stockholm '81) and I remember that Albert Lee got the chance to play (and sing) this song then.

[@VincesVinyl]

A joyous few minutes. Thanks.

[@theinfideluk]

Superb! Only heard this guy for the first time today

[@lirumguppy]

well, i just happened to stumble in here, and i don't know anything about albert lee - i only remember having recorded "heads, hands & feet" from the radio in the 70s and couldn't stop listening to "country boy" over & over again - everytime being amazed by that guitar (well not only) - so i like this little story very much, haha - cool... btw. my other guitar special from the radio was "halifax" from "hampton grease band" - sounded like "talking guitars" to me... cheers mate

[@nigelsharratt933]

Of course it seems to have gone unnoticed here that Albert was at one time in Eric's band. One of the most mesmerizing pieces of guitar playing I have ever seen was at Manchester Apollo when the two of them traded licks on this piece. I'm afraid those who say Eric should put away his guitar are sadly misguided

[@CompleteCretin]

Well said, Nigel. There are hundreds, if not thousands of recordings and videos of Eric playing guitar at it's best. Who really thinks he should have quit guitar after some pissed up get together with Chas N Dave where Albert played well hahaha. Gotta love KZbin commentators.

[@gerhar11]

I saw Albert Lee and Eric together... magic

[@tombstoneharrystudios584]

@@gerhar11 Jealous! Though I did once wait for a taxi with Mr Lee after a performance of The Man of La Mancha starring Kelsey Grammar However, as we were both with our wives, all interaction was respectfully just a short greeting and a smile

[@C7ble]

ha ha ha Chas and Dave! The finest England has to offer!

[@stevenboulton9911]

Blimey gov, this is great!

[@illinoiscentralmodeler]

hey Florida Georgia line, this is real country music!!

[@moonwoofmars]

Absolutely fuc those Ga/Fla line dudes,MeLee and Steve morse

[@lirumguppy]

i agree concerning the "entertainers sellable traits"... one reason for me to keep on searching here on youtube - every once in a while i stumble across some young talent who isn't all squeezed out by the industry... on the other hand i must admit that i'm listening to music in a different way and my ears are much more critical than they used to be... btw. my latest kick here on youtube was the "beatbox world championship 2012" wow - these guys are at it - and still peaceful - respect due...

[@spib65]

Well said!,....just where have all the real people gone to? great observation

[@ChasNDaveVideos]

December 1982. I know someone who was at the taping, and apparent Eric Clapton also did 'Little Queenie' with Chas and Dave!

[@manchild21000]

Note the geek at 1:32,hillarious. cheers George

[@Genjo_N_Mojave]

There is a statue of James Burton outside of the Louisiana hayride along with Elvis. Those two are the only Bronze Statues at the entrance of that landmark of musical infamy. Albert Lee deserves his own bronze statue, but instead of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, or the hayride in Louisiana, or the Ryman in Nashville, or whatever else anywhere else, Albert Lea the legend deserves his bronze statue at top the St Louis Archway gateway to the West. Albert Lee is a giant amongst men and should be a top anyone's Gateway to the West of rock and roll, from the east go west young man go west. I think Eric Clapton would agree. Yes Albert Lee and Eric Clapton were two epic Giants. As much so as James Burton and Albert Lee playing alongside each other. Albert has crossed every genre of music possible.

[@roman14032]

yeah thats clapton worshiping his hero

[@tombstoneharrystudios584]

You're not wrong there!

[@paulconnelly523]

Albert one of the most underrated players in this country along with Garry poter. Time for you mussos to back your past.👍

[@OkayMelvin]

The British did a pretty good job with rock and roll (Beatles, Stones, etc.), I don't know why country would trip them up.

[@badgerman2010]

Albert's even better now. Gets better with age. Right up there with James Burton

[@BackToTheBlues]

But it is a fiendishly difficult bit of timing with all those off beats, and he gets straight back into it, so that's a sign of a good drummer, I've played with plenty would would've carried on with the beat the wrong way round!

[@tombstoneharrystudios584]

Micky was one of the best (RIP)

[@musicmatty67]

Now thats what a Telecaster should sound like..hard to find that Tele sound on a Tele player these days. MusicMatty67 on KZbin

[@samuel498]

pure talent,he played for eric quite a lot at the time,he could hardly play a solo at this time,whilst flat out drinking.dont forget chas & dave were first band on at knebworth for led zepp's so called farewell gigs.

[@korywid9542]

I bet Eric Clapton is sat watching Albert playing this wishing he could play like it...I certainly am!!!.

[@tombstoneharrystudios584]

kory wid Eric had had a few pints of beer and may have been worried he was too tipsy to play later 😂

[@Imw101]

Clapton is there because he is a great friend of Albert's . Not least because Albert played in his band for five years.

[@MrJDP1974]

Eric is there because it was his show. He let Albert open solo with Country Boy.

[@tombstoneharrystudios584]

@@MrJDP1974 Actually it was Chas n Dave's show, but inviting a few old friends and colleagues along Obviously, the very presence of Clapton is going to put bums on seats, but Albert they've known since Chas and Mr Lee were in Heads, Hands and Feet

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

Tombstone Harry Studios agree Chad n Dave were the hosts.

[@strangher11]

I'm scratching my head Hank .. which band did Clapton and Albert Lee play in ?

[@rickheron792]

The Maestro, what a great player!

[@tallthinkev]

Yep, there were a few good things about the 80's.

[@Rouxloubac]

The Best guitarist ever.