Ten Years After guitarist Lee teamed up with gospel crooner LeFevre for a session that could be best described as hard spiritual rock. The 1973 album features guest shots from George Harrison, Stevie Winwood, Ronnie Wood, and Jim Capaldi, among others. This side project of Alvin Lee (departing from Ten Years After's no-holds-barred style) contains some of his best work. Those who are only familiar with such monster albums as 'Cricklewood Green' and 'A Space in Time' may find this work puzzling. Hooking up with American gospel singer Mylon Le Fevre, Lee served up helpings of more textured, sophisticated music than TYA. Even overt rockers like 'Riffin' and 'Fallen Angel' exhibit a more "roots-rock" sound than such songs as '50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain'. Using the talents of many big names (including George Harrison and several 'Traffic' members), the result is more varied and intricate than previous works. Even his blistering guitar work shows more finesse than usual with TYA's releases. The songs here range from the interesting-but-mediocre ('Lay Me Back' and 'Carry My Load') to the truly superlative (the title tune, 'The World is Changing' and the country-fried 'Funny'). In my opinion, one of Alvin Lee's best songs (maybe his very best) is the titular 'On the Road to Freedon'; with Mylon Le Fevre providing only backing vocals on this track, it effectively is Alvin Lee and Traffic (Steve Winwood on piano, Jim Capaldi on drums and Rebob on congas). Boy, is it one great song. Searing guitar, solid drumming, tasteful piano, a rousing melody and Lee's vocals never sounding better. It's nice to have this release available after so long. - amazon.com
01. On the Road to Freedom
02. The World Is Changing [I Got a Woman Back in Georgia]
03. So Sad [No Love of His Own]
04. Fall Angel
05. Funny
06. We Will Shine
07. Carry My Load
08. Lay Me Back
09. Let ‘Em Say What They Will
10. I Can’t Take It
11. Riffin
12. Rockin’ Til the Sun Goes Down
13. So Sad [No Love of His Own] - single version
Personnel: Alvin Lee (vocals, guitar, sitar, bagpipe, drums); Mylon LeFevre (vocals, acoustic guitar, 12-string guitar, percussion, background vocals); Ron Wood (guitar, 12-string guitar, slide guitar, drums); Andy Stein (fiddle); Tim Hinckley (piano, organ, background vocals); Steve Winwood (piano); Jim Capaldi, Mick Fleetwood (drums); Rebop (congas); Mike Patto (percussion, background vocals). http://www.fileserve.com/file/ryM4Vma