British guitarist reacts to Albert Lee's 2 minute masterclass in synchronisation

Tonight I'm looking at Albert Lee! Albert's got some serious technique under the bonnet that's for sure, here's a 2 minute lesson!
Original video - • Albert Lee-Fun Ranch B...
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[@themightysquid]

A real human treasure. We are privileged to have him in our lifetime. Appreciate him as you’ll never see or hear another like him.

[@joelkmak8492]

Lucky enough to be in a band in Southern California that has opened for Albert and his band twice in the last five years. Always a gentleman and easy going, even lets us hang out with him! We even went to an after gig dinner with him once.

[@robynevans1287]

Cool😊

[@Araconox]

Albert Lee's talent is beyond words.

[@retroactive1autrey668]

Every time Albert Lee plays, and I mean every time, I am amazed. Why he isn't always named as one of the top five guitarists in the world, I'll never understand. Great explanation, Mr. Fil.

[@bmepdoc9675]

You can bet your bottom dollar the other top guitarist name him as a tour de force. Clapton considers Lee the best he's ever seen.

[@gobangs1117]

Human antidepressant! Never fails to put a smile on my face. A true guitar virtuoso. All hail the king!

[@buzzwinklemoose9853]

Once, someone asked Emmylou about Albert. He response was something to the effect of "When I die and if I'm lucky enough to to get to the Pearly Gates and St. Peter asks 'Why should you get to Heaven'?, her response was "I don't know if they allow this sort of thing but if I had to explain my time here on Earth, I'd say that I was the rhythm guitar player in a band with Albert Lee".

[@judyc]

Just saw Mr Albert at The Stables, Wavendon. In his 79th year, but still moving and playing like a youngster! A really terrific experience - so glad I could be there, and could thank him afterwards.

[@lindabrown7903]

Just saw him on Sunday night playing a wee venue near Glasgow, amazing guitarist! 👏

[@stevemccart9109]

Holy cow...i was waiting for the great Albert Lee. Thanks fil

[@jacquiadams863]

Just had the privilege of seeing him live tonight at The Shanklin Theatre, Isle of Wight. A beautiful humble man who is a brilliant musician and who's played with so many greats. A fabulous evening.

[@garyphelps9123]

you are so on the money phil alot of people think its the left hand thats doing the work but with the guys who can really go its the right hand that is really smoking phil is so spot on with his anayasis another good one guy thank you

[@huron531]

It's quite interesting watching these virtuosos. Not sure practice can make a player this good. I think you are born with talent like this.

[@PaulRandle-sc8qk]

"Talent" is another word for "hard work". The famous 10,000 hours.

[@epicmeade]

One of my favorite KZbin video is of Albert Lee in the studio laying down guitar for Dave Edmunds song Sweet Little Lisa, while in the control room Dave, Nick Lowe, Huey Lewis, and Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy watch in awe. Then Edmunds (an exceptionally fine guitar player himself) goes on and on about how amazing Albert is. A truly fine show of respect for an often overlooked British guitarist from the golden age of British guitarists.

[@plattplatt183]

Any guitar player knows how hard this is to pull off. No room for mistakes. This cat is a polished player and it shows

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@StephenMarkTurner]

Albert is a monster. Great analysis too.

[@wingsofpegasus]

He is! Thanks!

[@pablo1079]

Right on!!

[@mosdephh]

perfect analysis WOP keep it up you're right on point my friend !

[@Bluesman1-6560]

I’ve worked with Albert many times and he is a great guy as much as he’s a great player, fun to be around like Joe Walsh.

[@marioct130]

I'm just finding this five years on because I went searching for Albert Lee. He's everywhere... some of my favorite performances: the Concert for George, with Emmylou Harris, the Everly Brothers...

[@leskennington2629]

Absolutely LOVE Albert Lee. Have you thought of doing his Country Boy? It would be well worth it

[@leskennington2629]

I remember hearing a few years back that there was a guitar seminar or the likes where multiple amazing guitarists would show all their wears etc. Everyone was doing this amazing stuff shredding with multi effects and being generally awesome, then they got to Albert Lee, he just plugged into the amp and blew everyone away

[@robynevans1287]

@@leskennington2629 YEAH BABY!!👍👍😁

[@Jamestele1]

I love that you give credit to talented people, from metal to cowboy western, to jazz. It's nice to see such genuine respect. That's how I always tried to be. It's a better, more positive path than darkness and negativity, which I think is the way I default if not careful. Peace

[@Guitar387]

What makes Albert's performance even more incredible is that it's NOT a pre planned worked out piece that he's learnt and repeats every time he plays it. Parts like the intro are obviously always the same, but Albert is completely improvising the rest of the performance. He never plays the same thing the same twice. Now that's incredible at this speed and how clean it is.

[@sooz9433]

As someone who doesn't play but I am close to several who do, I have a lot of respect for anyone who plays. However, I have great reverence for Albert. I am always blown away by his ability and I love to listen to him play the Mandolin. Thank you for this one Fil! 🎼🖤

[@Roylevis]

Saw Albert live 15 years ago. Still got his autograph on a T-shirt. Amazing enjoyable to listen to live.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Awesome!

[@RyneMurray23]

Albert is the man. When he lands on notes it hits you differently.

[@BoingBB]

The world has been blessed with many great guitarists but Albert is right up there with the best of them! Everybody will have their favourites of course but Albert is mine. :) He's a very modest, unassuming man too. I sometimes wonder if he even realises how staggeringly good he is.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Amen!

[@clight77]

He is my fav guitarist by far.

[@tomjares7559]

Have seen him a number of times. Incredible, humbling experience. Thanks and well done.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Awesome!

[@cliffwheeler7357]

The first time I saw Albert playing live was in 1968 when he was with Chris Farlowe's Thunderbirds. I remember thinking what an incredible guitarist, I'll have to keep a look out for him in future, and he has continued his high standards throughout his career. Several years ago I was at a guitar show in London at the Excel. I was looking at guitars on the MusicMan stand and realised the guy standing next to me was Albert. He had been playing MusicMan guitars for a few years by then and was guesting on their stand.I was lucky to have a short conversation with the great man and found him to be the most unassuming and modest person. The last time I saw him live was in 2015 with Hogans Heroes, and Albert was in amazing form.

[@ZRJZZZZZ]

I’ve been an obsessed fan of Albert for over 30 years and have studied him intently. Simply put, he “plays the changes“ like jazz players at incredibly high tempos.

[@davesmith7993]

Albert was thrilled to have been given one of Ernie Ball's first guitars he produced. To say it works for him would be a gross understatement. I saw him live a couple of times working with the Everly Brothers over the years, an incredible talent!

[@tracyrobbins2593]

I had the privilege of seeing Albert Lee a few years ago in Clear Lake, Iowa for the Fifties in February festival honoring Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens. I admired Albert for his humbleness on stage even though everyone knew how amazing he was. Also, he would stand at the back of the stage, never in the front when playing with various bands. He took "center stage" even with staying towards the back.

[@TheOldgeezah]

Perfection - an unassuming bloke with hands of magic.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@harrya9479]

Well said, The

[@flashcracker1]

Thanks. I really enjoy your appraisals of guitarists. I have just booked a ticket to see him, for the first time, in June 👍

[@savinsavin8387]

Albert Lee is awesome guitar player...Just love his tone and style

[@epipick]

I've met Albert and seen him play on many occasions, most recently last night (2 March) at the Redgrave theatre in Bristol.

[@ace-nw1hn]

It's just *Astonishing* to watch and hear his playing.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

I didn't discover Albert Lee until several years ago. Man, what I missed. He's a guitar god if there ever was one.

[@rogermartin4361]

I think it's great Albert still plays the club scene, which is forever dwindling. You can see him close up and he ability is mesmerizing. Thanks for posting.

[@lufiealice6251]

Saw Albert play at The Kings Hotel in Newport 25 years ago... blew me away. Anyone who was good enough to take the stage with Danny Gatton is okay by me!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Awesome!

[@stevemccart9109]

its great to see a young musician giving props to an all time great like Albert lee. I've mentioned him to some of my younger friends and they had no clue.

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@SaberToothGary]

Albert is a fuggin monster! Cheers, Fil!

[@cliffhughes6010]

What a performance by Albert Lee. Even though it's not a style of music I would normally go to (probably why it's taken me 2 years to comment), I love this. Great analysis too, Fil. I really get what you're saying about conscious/subconscious playing. I've always favoured thoughtful, melodic guitarists over the "look at me" brigade. Albert, while not exactly playing a melody, seems to outdo most shredders in this respect (metal isn't my thing either) because he's won me over to rockabilly/bluegrass for two spellbinding minutes with what seems a paradoxically modest performance that still manages to take my breath away - in the same way that listening to Django or Joe Pass does.

[@wolfgang4136]

I’ve always known of his legendary status but never really appreciated til I just watched him here. That’s some insanely great stuff. I’m hooked. Thanks for sharing and opening the doors of music more and more for tons of people

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@johnnymossville]

Scary how good he is. Wow!!!

[@wingsofpegasus]

It is!

[@terryschutt2584]

his been that way for decades

[@markkasick]

Ritchie Blackmore once called him "one of the best guitarists in the world"...and he never has anything good to say about anybody.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Haha amen!

[@jonhall9959]

Mark Kasick .... Clapton said much the same thing about Albert.

[@seabud6408]

Ritchie in the 80’s praised Eddie Van Halen in many interviews I read. Recently found out why. An unknown (at that time) Mr Van Halen approached Ritchie and John Bonham in the Rainbow bar in L.A. just to say how much he loved his playing. Ritchie said to him in a dismissive way “ Who are you?” and, I gather ignored him. To his credit Ritchie later felt bad about it and apologised to him. I gather Eddie hasn’t forgiven him though.

[@tonym994]

Mark Kasick he once praised Johnny Winter after talking crap about Stevie Ray. about 2 guitarists from the same place who didn't get equal credit.

[@markkasick]

Would be interesting to hear SRV play "Lazy" or "Never Before". Wouldn't that be cool? How about 1972 Ritchie, at his best playing 'Cold Shot", with '72 Ian Gillan singing it. Wouldn't Cold Shot fit perfect on Machine Head?

[@christiansmakingmusic777]

Patterns can be made subconscious with practice. There is a such as raw ability and giftedness too. At 200bpm sixteenth notes are flowing at 800 per minute, around 13 per second. The threshold for perception is about a tenth of a second. Many of the fastest players are playing faster than there senses can perceive changes. Thus, as you said, they are coming in patterned clumps of notes, the next clump being chosen before the current one is finished. It's quite amazing.

[@RogerMargado]

I saw Albert Lee at Yoshis in Oakland about 5 years ago. I sat a few meet from him on the stage. Watching him play was surreal. It was difficult to comprehend how anyone could play like that. That man can pick!

[@genripper-b8q]

if you haven't get at a marty staurt & fabulous superlatives show. im sure you know em

[@imdrrich]

Eric Clapton said Albert Lee is really the best guitarist in the world. I'd say that's a recommendation.

[@richardaitken9516]

Albert's reply to this is, "I am not the worlds best guitarist, I am just a person who can play the guitar."

[@richardmitchell8213]

Keep up the good work young man. Love the respect you show towards the greatest guitarists of all time

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks Richard!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I had anticipated asking you to cover Albert in the comments today, and, well... you must've read my mind! Love his style, lack of using "effects"; just amazed by his straight-on, mesmerizing and clean playing. And he's a humble and gracious gent, too! Bravo to you for your analysis and in recognizing a fine talent, Fil! ROCK, indeed! 👌👍😃

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool! No problem!

[@towernw9688]

Albert is the best, as Eric says, "need a guitar solo, call Albert." Belongs in RRHOF.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Amen!

[@charleystreather8237]

Yet another great review Fil, it’s just such a treat to hear you voice thoughts that I’ve had but never vocalised. These reviews are going to help so many young players if they sit and hear what you’re saying, in fact they’re helping me understand much more too, and I’ve been playing for years! Alvin Lee is just outstanding in that video, and I agree with what you said about watching his right hand, things are happening so fast it could slip under the radar. What a talent eh? But you can just ‘feel’ how long it’s taken him to put that playing to that level. A treat to watch, many thanks, Charley.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks Charley!

[@robsco1249]

The duet with Steve Morse is also superb... Albert played with Blackmore, Paice and Glover for a jam record too.

[@cindypowers4993]

Albert's amazing! First really noticed and appreciated his wicked guitar prowess during Eric Clapton's 2007 Crossroads Guitar Festival. Watching him play is certainly a Masterclass, but I also include your analysis videos as a Masterclass for me in music education, either in learning how to play, or learning about the musicians themselves. Thank you 😊☮️💜

[@ocram280]

Yeah, thanks for making the video, you made me realize so much more about it. Great job as always!

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@MrTomomahony]

effortless Albert ,thanks for sharing Wings

[@TruthSurge]

more like a 2 minute humbling. hahaha man... it's non-stop 16th notes!! and he even threw in some 16th triplets in there a few times. I have heard Mason, Gatton... lots of players but man... Albert rocks. How do you even analyze it? I just sit back and go wtf?

[@wingsofpegasus]

😂

[@clight77]

Yep this guy is the best picker ever.

[@rbagel55]

He never loses the flow of that solo, and he never plays the same lick over again. That takes practice!

[@marksimons4108]

There is footage of Albert Playing with Gatton on a little tour and Albert was great but Danny was the best of his time!

[@sandraard4306]

Great video and analysis . Albert Lee is fabulous ! I can tell when you really like someone's style because you smile alot ! It is a good thing !

[@wingsofpegasus]

😂👍

[@quayscenes]

Some of my favorite Albert Lee playing is when he guested on the Steve Morse Band albums in the 80s. Plenty of feel there...

[@lesmcnabney9272]

When I see most guitarists, I think, yeah I could do that with more practice. When I see Albert Lee and Richard Thompson, I think, I've no idea how they do that. Great analysis and breakdown of the video and technique.

[@dantean]

Only catching up with this now because I'm only just NOW giving Albert Lee the attention I should have been paying him for years--actually, decades. Of course, he's simply incredible and thanks for being there ahead of the rest of us, Fil...as always. Rock on. 🎸🥁🎤🎶

[@chrisautrey5051]

Not a lot of hammer ons and pull offs just straight picking. Impressive as hell.

[@777muzzy]

Absolutely one of my favourite pickers. He's a huge reason i got into hybrid picking. Country boy is still one of my favourite tunes to jam with on a tele....amazing stuff. Nice video Fil!! Well done.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks Mark!

[@anniebalsbaugh735]

You're right you just can't hide a mistakes...such an amazing artist

[@wingsofpegasus]

Yeah he nails it!

[@Monebriak]

One of my all time favorite guitarist. Thanks!

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@ArchieFatcackie]

Back in the eighties two years in a row went to see the Everly Brothers in my home town of Sunderland. It was a real bonus when they took to the stage that Albert was the lead guitarist in their backing band. An absolutely top drawer artist who is held in huge respect by all performers.

[@caroleathenacosta-songwrit9193]

The Everly Bros. played in Bakersfield when my late husband, Stan, was working at the Sheraton Hotel, where they were staying. We had a band with Stan on guitar and vocals and me singing lead and harmony. Albert was Stan's guitar hero and from the moment they got to the hotel, everyone working there told the musicians that there was a great guitar player working there. Eventually, they needed something brought to the room and Stan took it to them. Albert Lee opened the door and said, "You must be the guitar player everyone has been telling us about. Grab a guitar!" Stan spent the next hour jamming with his idol and he was 6 inches off the ground for a week!

[@BOOMNERD51]

Could listen all night, the analysis is fascinating!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@falcon5467]

Albert Lee was the one responsible for reuniting The Everly Brothers for their Prince Albert Hall concert in 1983. I had no idea who Albert Lee was until I heard him on Emmylou Harris' "Luxury Liner " album in 1977. Had to pick my jaw off the floor. Video suggestion: The Desert Rose Band playing "The Price That I Pay" on Austin City Limits back in '88 featuring John Jorgenson on lead electric guitar and Jay Dee Maness on the pedal steel guitar.kzbin.info/www/bejne/moPJk2eJbLmXiZY

[@ottoludwiglv702]

Luxury Liner, me too

[@Liam1H]

I've listened to a number of interviews Albert's given where he says that he couldn't play a piece the same way twice because he plays what he feels in the moment. Total improvisation on a theme. And, while he may be playing pieced together patterns of fret board pyrotechnics, it never sounds cliche or predictable. Incredible! But nowhere, other than on your site, has someone actually given a cogent explanation of how he got to the point where he could do that. Just excellent analysis, as usual!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@CARNELIANTURQUOISE]

I'm late to this analogy, but there's a song from American Music Shop that Albert plays on with Carlene Carter. The words she sings and his playing are superb...you can feel it in your bones. It's from the early 90's

[@jbolo5378]

One of my personal top 5 guitarists. Excellent, excellent review \m/

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@UKGeezer]

He is incredible at that thing - let's not forget he's also a top notch pianist. Clever bastard is Albert, long may he continue.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

Some friends and I had the great good fortune to see Albert and his band perform at a club on Chicago's north side a few years ago - and James Burton, Ricky Skaggs and Vince Gill dropped in to jam! Albert makes his demanding style look so easy, but it is far from that! Ricky Skaggs actually toured for a while back in the 1980s with Albert Lee in his band, so his playing on electric guitar bears a strong influence from the Englishman's style. Vince Gill is an under-rated monster on guitar - just a smokin' hot player, tasty and never a wasted note. And Burton influenced all of them; he could still wail, too. What a night it was!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Awesome!

[@DeltaFoxtrot5190]

Love his playing and still working on seeing him live.

[@TheAxe4Ever]

HOLY COW!! (To use a really old phrase). Albert Lee is a monster! I’ve always thought the 3 players with the best picking technique (in my opinion) have always been Chet Atkins, Albert Lee and in my world of rock and metal, Yngwie Malmsteen. All 3 make picking look so effortless and clean. Another awesome video man!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks! Yeah there's some serious pickers in there!

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

Check out young (well, relatively young - he's been on the scene for well over a decade now) phenom Johnny Hiland, who may be the best all-around guitarist on earth. Hiland is one of the very few people alive who can do a convincing job covering Danny Gatton's instrumentals, and unlike Gatton, he sings and if that isn't enough - can play any style of music you can name, from metal to jazz and western swing to country and roots rock. The other guy is Scotty Anderson. Scotty - well, just look him up on You Tube and see if you aren't blown away. The dude is such a monster talent that he not only belongs on his own planet, but in his own solar system! His style is utterly unique; there is no one else in the world who plays like him - or sounds like him. He mostly works in the country, country-jazz, rockabilly and related styles of music.

[@stevenbrewer5161]

What a clean picker! This is what stevie taught me, you earn every note , no distortion just playing and every note herd . Shredders use alot of distortion and it kinda masks the real ability of the player. Wings you once again find and pick out a good player, you have a great ear for talent!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@Guitar387]

It's incredibly fluid and sounds great and Albert never plays the same way twice , I've seen him play this tune several times and apart from the obvious hook in the main melody Albert plays the rest entirely differently.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@gregmardon6973]

I greatly appreciate the knowledge you share and breaking it all down, I have found out since I was young that the non-player even though he does not know how to do it still recognizes the good from the bad, or maybe better put the mediocre.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Yeah some people have a good ear for it!

[@bobsaturday4273]

hey Fil , thanx for these , your own masterclass in study of the greats

[@JulesBurton]

Albert and James Burton are the 2 greatest ever!

[@pablogouveia3720]

You were right!!! His right hand was like a robotic laser cutting tool!!!

[@wingsofpegasus]

😂👍

[@artysanmobile]

I will be watching this often, instead of the news maybe. Masterclass really is the right word. My new aspirational guitar playing exhibit, like ‘Machine Gun’.

[@TheGuitologist]

Anyone into Albert Lee and chicken pickin', you need to also check out Danny Gatton and Johnny Hiland.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@CARNELIANTURQUOISE]

Watch American Music Shop with Danny Gatton, Albert Lee and Vince Gill, along with a host of other excellent musicians!!

[@davidscott1052]

If your into chicken picking then check out Greg Koch .....plus he has loads of harmonic knowledge in his locker ...the guy is a country guitarist with jazz knowledge

[@Miguel...160]

I like Sweet Little Lisa ( mostly soloing ) from the same performance . Its unreal .

[@stuartallison2043]

Great example of Albert's mastery thanks. He was in Orkney last year, astounding talent and so unassuming...we had a great chat about the legendary GreenBullfrog LP featuring RItchie Blackmore and Big Jim Sullivan- shame there's no video available of that jam!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Awesome!

[@BradYaeger]

Boogies are so much fun, it's just pedal to the floor the whole time so the fans can dance and have a good time. It's music where the tempo just stays the same so the dancers can time their moves.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Haha yeah!

[@roadie3124]

I first became aware of Albert Lee when he was playing with Emmylou Harris in the 1970s (The Hot Band). Some time later, I realised that I'd heard him before when he was with Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds in the 1960s. After Emmylou, he played with the Everly Brothers for many years. He's been there and done that.

[@dykeneuk]

What a fantastic player. Absolutely awesome playing. Grinning ear to ear........:)

[@wingsofpegasus]

Amen!

[@joeseay2883]

Albert and Vince Gill playing together.!

[@y007p3]

Great hybrid picking there. Superb tone too, really crisp. I can play fingerstyle but it would be nice to incorporate it with a plectrum, different possibilities.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Yeah its cool!

[@kevinkelly9956]

Love Albert. I've being play for 50 plus years but could never touch that guy. Phil, you nailed the slow vs fast playing description. A lot of new players just can not do slow.

[@pomod]

That was great. And I agree with what you're saying about approaching a solo as stacking up clusters of notes. This idea was my break through as a kid learning guitar, that every solo or tune you sit down and figure out expanded your lexicon of (most likely pentatonic) licks that eventually where ever your hands are on the neck, you have a vocabulary of pre existing musical ideas or phrases and its just a matter of linking them up and injecting your own expression. That hurdle everyone felt at the beginning is largely just lack of vocabulary, it takes a while. Im not a huge fan of the chicken picking but can totally appreciate it. If anyone really sat down and learned this tune , as a project, you'd learn some serious major pentatonics.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Yep, it would take a while too!

[@nige99]

The mixing of the two slow and fast runs ect that you say about is spot on ! Johnny Hiland is a master at it to!

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@johndaugherty4127]

Excellent choice. He sounds like one of those Texas boys.

[@ianwilkinson2731]

Johnny Hiland seems to be his natural successor 🎸

[@cbh440]

At the first pause I had to go watch the video in its entirety. It just could not be paused!! And yes, this was killer!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Haha yes I agree!

[@kjetin99]

Love your analysis!

[@richardsrensen4219]

amaxing country guitar player

[@ronvalentini6306]

Cant get enough of that.. Brovo!!

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@matth2357]

Did anyone else hear the "Benny Hill Theme" when Fil first played the video? Amazing stuff!

[@wingsofpegasus]

😂👍

[@petermartinijr.1012]

Another great video & I always like Albert Lee

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍☺