Albert Lee and Cindy Cashdollar, Sage Gateshead

GUITAR legend, long-time lead guitarist with the Everly Brothers, plus Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band, Eric Clapton and well used session man Albert Lee was again back in the area.

He was partnered by his American band, plus another likewise genial and huge talent in Austin, the pedal steel and lap guitar act Cindy Cashdollar. Such was the chemistry between the lead acts and his LA band – accordion (JT Thomas), drums, harmony vocals (Jason Smith) and electric bass (Will McGregor) – that the evening flew by with California-based material from Jimmy Webb to Carl Perkins by way of Rodney Crowell featuring.

Lee’s amazing finger-picking style, dexterity and drive held the audience’s rapt attention, as he thrust himself into John Stewart’s Runaway, Richard Thompson’s Tear-Stained Letter and of course an extended version of his own biggie Country Boy.

Steeped in unique guitar breaks and those of equal quality from Cashdollar the latter two were given terrific run outs, as the duo swapped scintillating runs. Cashdollar’s forays on the likes of Til’ I Can Gain Control Again and a Ray Charles song during their second set while Lee seems to be joined at the hip to his red and white Telecaster.

On leaving the hall those unfamiliar with either act would undoubtedly be asking why Albert, especially, hasn’t been a household name as a musician. But before he left, his encore saw him produce another highlight, switching his electric guitar for acoustic to perform, a solo version of Bobby Darin’s 18 Yellow Roses.

Maurice Hope