National treasures come in all shapes and sizes, from David Attenborough to David Bowie, and this clip brings together two of the best, when both were well past pensionable age. Terry Wogan, the smooth and twinkle-eyed doyen of radio presentation, and television chat and game shows, was 72 when his live ‘Weekend Wogan‘ show on Radio 2 featured Albert Lee in March 2010. Albert was his junior by 5 years at the time. Sadly, Terry is no longer with us, but Albert is still out there, wedded to his craft as the finest country-rock guitarist these isles have produced.
Check out the audience, who look as if they have been bussed in from an episode of Antiques Road Show, helpless to resist the wizardry of Lee on his Fender Telecaster, and the sheer pleasure he gets from performing what has become his signature song.
Country Boy first appeared on Heads Hands & Feet’s eponymous debut album in 1971, and was written by Lee, Tony Colton and Ray Smith. It cropped up again on Albert Lee’s Hiding album in 1979. Ricky Scaggs, another formidable player, was listening, and it became the name and lead track from his 1985 album. He took the song to number one on the US Country charts.
Albert Lee’s CV is, of course, ridiculously extensive. He has played with (deep breath) Emmylou Harris, Eric Clapton, Dolly Parton, Bo Diddley, The Everly Brothers, Joe Cocker, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Wyman, John Prine, Dave Edmunds, Nanci Griffith, Rodney Crowell, Jackson Browne and many, many others. They all held him in awed respect. Over more than 30 years he has led his own Hogan’s Heroes band, with whom he has toured endlessly (and long may he continue to do so). Watch this clip, and book your ticket next time he passes near your town.
