The 'A-team' (From Western Telegraph)

The 'A-team'

Albert Lee is one of the world's finest guitar players and his accompanying band, Hogan's Heroes, some of the most respected rock 'n' roll and country musicians in the UK. Together they form a formidable A-team of masterful musicians who are so special you feel that they are capable of tilting the world on its axis.

Albert Lee cuts a slight figure, but he packs his guitar playing with power and dynamism - no effects pedals here - and all the while he positively twinkles with enjoyment.

Hogan's Heroes are deep fried in country music and their two-hour set was neck deep in classic country rock, taking in honky-tonk, rockabilly, balmy ballads and instrumental rags on the way.

For these musicians have played with all the greats - Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Scotty Moore, Joe Cocker and Emmylou Harries (Albert replaced the legendary James Burton as guitarist in Emmylou's Hot Band) among them.

Although there was an impressive freneticism about their performance, they varied the tempo with gorgeous fluidity, as when Albert took to the keyboards for a long forgotten and very lovely version of a 1973 Beach Boys song Only With You.

But Albert Lee is predominantly a fiery spark of guitar genius.

Renowned for his fancy fingers on the fret board, he was almost in danger of being upstaged by the fancy footwork on the dance floor, as many of the crowd were intimately acquainted with the whole set.

And loving the band as much as they did there was no chance of their leaving without an encore - the rip roaring, rejuvenating and replenishing Tear It up.

CDs were duly signed to finish things off and we have two to give away to lucky competition winners this week.

To win a CD, simply name the 1973 Beach Boys song that Albert played on keyboard.

Send your answer, name, address, and telephone number to Pulse Competition, Western Telegraph, Old Hakin Road, Merlins Bridge, Haverfordwest, SA61 1XF by Wednesday, April 27th.