Ten Years After is one of those rare bands whose live albums capture their essence better than their studio versions. Alvin Lee, Leo Lyons, Chick Churchill & Ric Lee were at their best when jamming and extending songs, allowing them to showcase their combined and individual talents. If you’re a British blues rock fan, then you are likely very familiar with Alvin Lee’s virtuosity, may he rest in peace. Not necessarily given his due by the mainstream rock media, he is very much appreciated by his fans.
There is some debate as to the best Ten Years After live album. I purchased Recorded Live in the mid ’70’s and loved it. I got the Fillmore East CD (released in 2012) for Christmas a few years ago. I spent a significant amount of time listening to it loudly (is there any other way?) on headphones. Both are great representations of the best that Ten Years After offers, and you can’t go wrong with either. Hence why you have both albums here. However, I give the nod to the Fillmore East album because of its recording of one concert session (Feb 27 & 28, 1970).