The band fulfilled their contract with Deram after the release of Watt and released their next album “A Space in Time” through Columbia. The album was released in 1970 as was “Watt”, which was another album consisting of entirely original material apart from the closing track “Sweet Little Sixteen” written by Chuck Berry. The band’s follow up “Criklewood Green” received glowing reviews and entered the Billboard 200 at No.14. “Ssssh” was also released that year and rose to No. “Stonedhenge” came out in 1969 and consisted of mostly original tracks with the exception of the 59 second rendition of the folk traditional “Three Blind Mice”. The band amped up the production of albums within the next 2 years, yielding 4 studio releases during this time frame. The single became a hit in both the US and UK and boosted album sales significantly. It was the track “I’m Going Home”, which threw Ten Years After into commercial stardom. The shortest track which was the Gershwin cover “Summertime” clocked in at 5:44 and the band original “I May Be Wrong, But I Won’t Be Wrong Always” took up 9:49 worth of space on the album. The album contained only 5 tracks however, they were considerably more lengthy than the standard pop song. It flaunted the band’s deep understanding of blues and boogie music, paying a particular amount of attention to jump blues. “Undead” was recorded live in an intimate jazz club in London called Klooks Kleek. Their second album “Undead” more than made up for the insecure start set by their previous release. Though the release did not receive enthusiastic reviews, it created awareness of their presence and gave them a chance to showcase their potential. The album featured 4 cover songs, two of those being Willie Dixon compositions “Spoonful” and “Help Me”. In 1967 they entered in a recording contract with a subsidiary of Decca called Deram and released their self-titled debut. They changed it to Blues Trip upon signing Chris Wright as their manager and to Blues Yard during their show at the Marquee Club. The band altered their name two more times before settling on Ten Yeats After. This same year they completed their official lineup with the addition of keyboardist Chick Churchill. They became very popular locally but branched off to London in 1966 to play with the Ivy League. The group would later assume the name Jaybirds and then Ivan Jay and the Jaymen. The band after several name and line up changes would morph into Ten Years After. Prior to the band’s formation several core members were in a group called Ivan Jay and the Jaycats. “Tucked away on this release was the blistering and bewildering number “50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain,” a monster of a song, flowing and ebbing, building into a sustained and tremendous jam no one walking the planet at the time didn’t want just two more minutes of, a song destined to become the standard all blues based rock would be measured against, and one that would redefine the future sound of Ten Years After.Front man Alvin Lee led an assortment of virtuoso musicians in Ten Years After, which included guitarist Chick Churchill, drummer Rick Lee, and bassist Leo Lyons. 50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain (Cricklewood Green, 1970) “Choo Choo Mama” is a killer track though not much else is.”Ħ. For sure there is that great guitar from Alvin Lee but that is about all. “Their material is starting to slip just a little bit. Choo Choo Mama (Rock & Roll Music to the World, 1972) “I’ve Been There Too,” a shivering example of the band exploring the contrast and juxtaposition between electric and acoustic guitars, allowing listeners to roam freely between opposing-ly warm sensations … and I haven’t even mentioned the unexpected jam, where Lee, Lyons, Churchill and Ric Lee come together with an eager willingness to please not only fans, but each other.”ħ. I’ve Been There Too (A Space in Time, 1971)
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