Ric Lee's Natural Born Swingers

Some bands play ‘retro’ music with an almost apologetic air; Ric Lees, stalwart of Ten Years After (founder member) and with a history of playing Woodstock, Isle of Wight and Reading festivals, along with Bob Hall who was with The Groundhogs and Savoy Brown in his travels plays the music with a celebratory air and a smiling countenance. This ain’t groundbreaking but it sure is fun.

The album touches on soul, Blues, pop and Boogie Woogie and the band play with a remarkable freedom and effervescence – this is basically a party album without the cheesy covers.
There are a number of originals as well as covers and the song choice sums up the heart of the band copvering all of the forms they enjoy.
The one track that doesn’t quite fit the mould is probably the most musically intense – ‘Hill Of Afghanistan’ is a dark statement against army involvement in the Afghan war – it isn’t blatantly political, rather it focuses on the trauma to the locals and it is chilling but it feels slightly ut of place.

Musically ‘I Want To Know’ and ‘I Don’t Play Boogie’ are favourites alongside 'Tock Your Mama' but there really isn’t a missed note.
There are some excellent guests including Paul Jones (Manfred Mann & The Blues Band), the excellent Virgil McMahon (Virgil & The Accelerators) and Son Henry but the basic band do the business without any problems.

If you are a fan of Chas and Dave or The Blues Band or the classic British band of the sixties then this will be right up your alley.
Old dogs, old tricks, good times!