With the news of Alvin Lee’s passing I had to find a way to pay tribute. Normally we save classic album reviews for tuesdays but I just couldn’t wait. So here I present you with only the second ever “CAW” or “Classic Album Wednesday”. The album in question is renowned blues/rock band Ten Years After’s A Space in Time. Aside from being the band’s most popular album, A Space in Time was the group’s most diversely creative record. Ten Years After expanded upon their punchy blues sound with more acoustic numbers and more folk-oriented songs.

A Space in Time is best known for the hit single “I’d Love to Change the World”, a song you’ve probably heard on the radio or in trailers to Michael Moore movies. The song was a big leap conceptually for a group often seen as just a bluesy jam band. Lee, already established as a gifted ax-man, proves his worth as a songwriter through thought provoking lyrics and a sneaky delivery. Add a splash of psychedelia and A Space in Time makes for an exciting counterculture time capsule.

Brooding acoustic numbers aside, Ten Years After doesn’t ignore their blues/rock roots. “One of these Days” and “Baby Won’t You Let Me Rock ‘N’ Roll You” are Ten Day’s After doing what they do best. “Uncle Jam” is an unexpected showcase of the band showing off their abilities in the realm of jazz. Keyboardist Chick Churchill especially wows on that track with his demon-like speed. Not to count out the intensity of the group’s rhythm section in bassist Leo Lyons and drummer Ric Lee. Though everyone brings so much, it’s hard to deny that A Space in Time is Alvin Lee’s show. Though he’ll always be best remembered for his shredding, most notably during Ten Years After’s performance of “I’m Going Home” at Woodstock, A Space in Time reveals a man of many talents. Rest in Peace Alvin Lee, you’ve finally gone home.

Favorite Tracks: “Hard Monkeys”, “Here They Come”, “I’d Love to Change the World”

About three weeks ago Cody ChesnuTT released his first album in ten years. Of course this got me to thinking about ChesnuTT’s vastly overlooked 2002 debut The Headphone Masterpiece. It also made me realize that Cody ChesnuTT is one of the greatest rock stars that never was. There’s no reason Cody ChesnuTT shouldn’t have been the next Lenny Kravitz. Though I don’t think Lenny Kravitz has ever been close to capturing the same kind of truth as Cody ChesnuTT. As a songwriter ChesnuTT excels in the genres of; pop, rock, R&B, and even hip-hop. Fortunately, that’s all well documented in the sprawling, lo-fi double album The Headphone Masterpiece.

As good as The Headphone Masterpiece is it’s not surprising it went unnoticed. The album is a staggering 90+ minutes and were talking about 90 minutes of lo-fi. The album sounds like a collection of demos because that’s what it is. All the songs were recorded in ChesnuTT’s home studio on a 4-track recorder. Some songs are more realized than others, but there’s still a stunning amount of great material. ChesnuTT dabbles with everything from acoustic guitars, to drum machines, to other electronic doodads. You never know what’s coming on album like The Headphone Masterpiece.

Where to start with this rock behemoth? How about “The Seed”? A song you may remember when it was remade as the excellent “The Seed 2.0” by The Roots. The track featured ChesnuTT and stands as one of my favorite rock/rap collaborations. It was that song that inspired me to explore the world of rap music. So yeah… Important. Another highlight would have to be “Look Good in Leather” which was used in some commercials a few years back. I love it. How can you not be happy when listening to that song. Some songs are overbrimming with optimism while songs like “Bitch I’m Broke” are probably on the other end of spectrum.

Like a musical diary The Headphone Masterpiece captures a wide range of moods and topics both simple and complex. It’s a shame that it didn’t lead to a more fruitful career in music but ChesnuTT has hung in there. Check back later this week when I’ll review his new album “Landing on a Hundred”.

Favorite Tracks: “Look Good in Leather”, “The Seed”, “Upstarts in a Blowout”

What better time to remember Harvest than on the day after Neil Young’s birthday? Harvest was initially intended to be Neil’s first country album. In preparation, Neil put together a talented backing band dubbed “The Stray Gators” that consisted of such pros as; pedal steel guitarist Ben Keith, former James Brown bassist Tim Drummond, drummer Kenny Buttrey, and legendary multi-instrumentalist/film score composer Jack Nitzsche (also co-producer). All the pieces were there for a great country album and yet Harvest became so much more. How else do you explain the inclusion of the London Symphony Orchestra? I don’t know about you but when I hear the name “London Symphony Orchestra” I don’t tend to think country.

Songs like “Are You Ready for the Country” and “Harvest” reflect Neil’s country-themed vision, but for the most part Harvest is an album that reflects all sides of Neil. I mentioned the London Symphony Orchestra and they’re in full swing on theatrical cuts like “There’s a World” and “A Man Needs a Maid”. “Old Man” calls back to the bittersweet tales of Neil’s previous album After the Goldrush. Perhaps most affecting is Neil’s heartbreaking “The Needle and the Damage done” a live tribute to deceased Crazy Horse guitarist Danny Whitten. Harvest captures a wide range of styles and more importantly emotions.

Reportedly, Neil recorded Harvest while in terrible pain after a severe back injury. I guess you could say recording Harvest was “Back breaking hard work?” Ha! Nonetheless, Neil managed to overcome the pain and not only write some of his best material but some of his most successful. A big chart hit, Harvest also contained Neil’s only number one single “Heart of Gold”. If there’s one song Neil will be remembered for it might as well be that one. You don’t get much more iconic than that opening harmonica riff set against Neil’s always expressive acoustic guitar.

Harvest is another one of those albums that followed a great album and thus asks the question “Which one is better?” Honestly, I can’t decide ,but I’m glad that’s my only quandary when it comes to these albums.

Favorite Tracks: “Heart of Gold”, “The Needle and the Damage Done”, “Old Man”