| Stonedhenge | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 7 February 1969 | |||
| Recorded | 3–15 September 1968 | |||
| Studio | Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 35:48 | |||
| Label | Deram | |||
| Producer | Mike Vernon | |||
| Ten Years After chronology | ||||
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Stonedhenge is the second studio album, and third album overall, by English blues rock band Ten Years After, released in February 1969 by Deram Records. It was recorded with producer Mike Vernon at London's Decca Studios in September 1968.
Believing that the group's live album Undead (1968) had already perfectly captured their talents, frontman and guitarist Alvin Lee conceived Stonedhenge as a change in direction. A psychedelic blues album, it expands the group's boogie rock sound into more experimental territory, incorporating jazz, progressive pop and musique concrète styles, with deployment of studio effects, stereo panning and tape manipulation. Influences on the recording included Tod Dockstader and Canned Heat. Although largely written by Lee, the record also feature solo pieces from all four band members. The title alludes to marijuana and the ancient monument Stonehenge, the latter of which is illustrated on the psychedelic album cover.
On release, Stonedhenge was the band's biggest album yet, reaching number six on the British charts and number 61 in the United States. Music critics have discussed the album's variety and the band's performances. The album set the group up for a heavy year of touring and performances at numerous American festivals, including a famous appearance at Woodstock. Stonedhenge has been re-released several times, including with bonus tracks in 2002.