The Keef Hartley Band w. Miller Anderson – Live At Essen Pop And Blues Festival 1969 / 1970
In 1963, Keef Hartley joined the band Rory Storm & The Hurricanes, with whom Ringo Starr had previously drummed. After intermittent stints with John Lord in The Artwoods and engagements in Hamburg’s Starclub, Hartley took part in John Mayall’s album “The Blues Alone” in May 1967, on which Mayall played all the instruments except the drums himself. After that, Hartley was a permanent member of the Bluesbreakers until 1968, when the busy drummer formed his own band, The Keef Hartley Band.
With Miller Anderson (guitar, vocals), Gary Thain (bass) and Mick Weaver (keyboards) as well as saxophonist Chris Mercer, the line-up was top-class. In spring 1969, the first album “Halfbreed” was released, which served the popular genre of progressive jazz rock, in the style of bands such as Colosseum, If, Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears. In the same year, the Keef Hartley Band performed at the Woodstock Festival (on the 2nd day – Saturday – before The Incredible String Band). There are no audio or film recordings of their performance. Only a tape recording of a fan with fragments of some songs is said to have survived. The manager of the KHB had forbidden the recording of the concert for both audio and film. 3 months after Woodstock, The Keef Hartley Band performed at the Essen Pop & Blues Festival in the Grugahalle in October 1969, as well as at the second edition of this festival a few months later on 25 April 1970. In contrast to the Woodstock Festival, there are sound recordings of these, which have now been lovingly edited and are being made available to a wide audience for the first time in almost 55 (!) years. This is a historical document of the times, says guitarist and singer Miller Anderson, “The best thing you can hear from us live!”
Tracklist:
CD 1
Live At Essen Pop & Blues Festival 11.10.1969
- Too Much Thinking 06:43
- Leavin´ Trunk 08:25
- Just To Cry 08:42
- Sinnin´ For You 05:00
- Rock Me Baby 07:29
- Believe in You (excerpt) 03:46
CD1 Total: 40:05 min.
CD 2
Live At Essen Pop & Blues Festival 25.04.1970
- Think It Over 12:10
- Believe in You 07:31
- Leavin´ Trunk 13:36
- Just To Cry 12:07
- Sinnin´ For You 04:35
- Me And My Woman 05:50
- Too Much Thinking 09:36
CD2 Total: 65:25 min.
CD1+2 Total: 94:30 min.