Albert Lee - Heartbreak Hill

All Music Guide

In contrast to the earnest commercialism that dominates early-millennial country music, Heartbreak Hill projects an appealing informality. The old friends gathered here are past worrying about their image; what matters here is the good vibe of enjoying each other's company. The fact that most of these folks have clambered to the top of musical heap adds an element of easy-going confidence to the vibe; they don't have to prove themselves, which makes it easier for them to relax into some well-chosen material and stretch out. Never an outstanding singer, Lee nonetheless carries his tunes well and shines when paired with partners like Patty Loveless and Maura O'Connell. The high points are in the picking, where the focus is more on stretching out than tearing it up. As a result, when Lee, Vince Gill, and other hotshots start batting licks back and forth on "Born To Run" mutual support rather than bloodthirsty competition guides the playing; in this case, and whenever experience adds dimen...sion to the sharp edge of some seasoned player's chops, the results satisfy in a deep, settled way that some mile-a-minute guitar gods never seem to understand. - Robert L. Doerschuk, All Music Guide Read more Less