Back in the day, when there were hip record stores, there was always this guy that worked at them. Hip record store guy that knew more than you did. I used to frequent places like Vintage Vinyl and Wuxtry’s up in St. Louis. Used record stores. I got in to a conversation with one of these dudes, told him I was a guitar player and he got me started on Albert Lee. The next time I was in town I picked up everything I knew about that had Albert Lee on it, Emmylou Harris, Eric Clapton, there was an Albert Lee solo record, “Hiding”, that had just come out. I walk up to the counter with a stack of records and hip record store guy that knew more than I did said, “You need to get Heads Hands and Feet”.
Heads Hands and Feet was the band Albert Lee was in before he became a big time known entity in the States. And, aside from having one of the all time classic band logos…
…they were a truly fine band. I loved hearing Albert in this context because it was a band. Nothing against a big batch of fine studio work but, there’s something charming about a group of longhairs getting together to corn it up rough and ready.
This morning, I was looking around YouTube and found, to my surprise, several cool Heads Hands and Feet videos. This one from a 1972, Paris show is a version of their song “Country Boy”, that later became a big hit for Ricky Skaggs.
As always….hit Pause on the music player to your left before playing the YouTube.
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Tags: Albert Lee, Guitar, Heads Hands and Feet
Axe wrote,
So how many albums did HH&F record then Jack? And which do you prefer?
Link | August 12th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Pribek wrote,
They released three albums:
Heads Hands and Feet 1971
Tracks 1972
Old Soldiers Never Die 1973
The first record was a double album in the States but, a single disc in the U.K. In the 90s there was a UK release of one called “Home From Home” which, I believe contains tracks from the double album that weren’t originally released in England.
By the time I heard about HH&F (late 70s) these records were very rare. Guys that had them kept them close to the vest. The first one I got my hands on was “Old Soldiers” and it’s probably my favorite because it held cherished object status (I’ve still got it, vinyl of course, somewhere). “Old Soldiers” was released after the band broke up and, it isn’t a guitar showcase. Albert is prominent but, not for a bunch of solos. Very interesting songwriting, the title track is a unique item. Great song on there called “Meal Ticket” featuring Al on some honky tonk piano (if memory is correct).
If you want to hear the guitar stuff that started the fuss, the first record is the one you want.
The band…
Albert Lee - guitar
Pete Gavin - drums
Tony Colton - vocals
Ray Smith - guitar
Chas Hodges - bass
Mike O’Neill - keyboards
had a lot of vocal harmonies going on and, the songwriting was stronger than a lot of the country rock sort of stuff that was everywhere. I’ve also heard that the band was a studio rhythm section on a lot of records previous to HH&F so, they were all studio savvy.
Link | August 12th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Gary wrote,
I love Albert Lee, saw him a few times, remember the Everly Bros gig with him in the band - they let him do Country Boy - stunning! I’ve got a signed photo somewhere at home. He also released some excellent instrumental albums on a special vinyl series by MCA - Master Series I think (they’re now available on CD and I’ve just bookmarked them) Speechless and Gagged But Not Bound. Discography here: http://homepage.eircom.net/~albertlee/discography.html
Link | August 14th, 2008 at 5:32 am
axe wrote,
Chas Hodges went on to become one half of the ‘cockney’ singing duo Chas n’ Dave who had great success with Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit among many other wonderful top ten UK hits. I urge you to check them out.
Link | August 15th, 2008 at 5:08 am
Gary wrote,
I saw Chas ‘n’ Dave support 10cc and they did this great tune called “Strummin’” - wish I could find it. Their “cockney” hits are, IMHO, tripe.
Link | August 15th, 2008 at 5:44 am