If
Albert Lee fans have grown used to his commitment to a handful of good songs and extraordinary guitar work, then
Road Runner will not disappoint.
Lee and his band kick off with the title track, an easy-rolling rocker with a little vocal help from
Buddy Miller.
Lee follows with a solid set list that includes selections from
John Hiatt,
Leo Kottke, and
Richard Thompson. These songs all receive tasteful renditions, but the real fun comes with uptempo fare like
Billy Burnette and
Tony Colton's "Didn't Start Livin'," and
Delbert McClinton/
Benmont Tench/
Gary Nicholson's "Livin' It Down." It doesn't hurt that
Lee has enlisted the talents of drummer
Don Heffington, bassist
Bob Glaub, and steel guitarist
Buddy Emmons on
Road Runner. Guest appearances by co-producer
Steve Fishell on "Didn't Start Livin' and "Rock of Your Love," along with guitarist
Mark S. Cohen on the latter, also add something extra to these arrangements. One of the coolest exchanges on the album is between
Lee and
Emmons' guitar and steel for the last minute and a half on "Working on Love." Guitar freaks, of course, will enjoy the album, but so will country music fans looking for tuneful songs that fall somewhere between the rough edges of alternative country and the glitter of Nashville. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.