"Sinnin' For You: The Albums 1969-1973" by KEEF HARTLEY BAND – Features Seven Albums (Six Studio and One Live) Plus 15 Bonus Tracks – Musicians include Miller Anderson of Dog Soldier, Dave Caswell of Galliard, Gary Thain of Uriah Heep, Pete Dines of T.Rex, Jon Hiseman of Colosseum, Johnny Almond of Alan Price Set and Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band, Mick Weaver of Wynder K. Frog and Hemlock, Elkie Brooks, Robert Palmer and Pete Gage of Vinegar Joe, Jess Roden of Bronco, Pete Wingfield of Jellybread, Jean Rouselle of Juicy Lucy and Hanson, Lyn Dobson of Third Ear Band, Mick Taylor of The Rolling Stones with Henry Lowther, Chris Mercer, Barbara Thompson and more (July 2022 UK Esoteric Recordings Clamshell Box Set – 7LPs onto 7CDs with 15 Bonus Tracks and 2008 Paschal Byrne Remasters from Original Deram Stereo Tapes) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"...Not Foolish, Not Wise..."

 

In March and April 2008 and January 2009 – Esoteric Recordings of the UK (part of the Cherry Red set of labels) put out all seven of Keef Hartley's stereo albums for England' Deram Records originally issued between March 1969 and May 1973 – six studio sets and one live (see list below). Those CD Remasters had only three bonus tracks across the lot – single-sides.

 

This 7CD Clamshell Mini Box Set returns to that back catalogue and features these rare albums in Mini LP Card Repro Sleeves (six are gatefolds, the three Bonus tracks are here too), those tremendous 2008 Paschal Byrne Remasters from original Deram tapes, and this time throws in a further twelve Previously Unreleased Live and Studio Recordings from the period (15 Bonus in all). The icing on the cake is a chunky 48-page booklet that reproduces all the liner notes KF did for the 2008 and 2009 CD reissues before his sad passing in 2011.

 

And when you consider the musical company Drummer and Leader of the Band Hartley was keeping – try Miller Anderson of Dog Soldier, Dave Caswell of Galliard, Gary Thain of Uriah Heep, Pete Dines of T.Rex, Jon Hiseman and Barbara Thompson of Colosseum, Johnny Almond of Alan Price Set and Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band, Mick Weaver of Wynder K. Frog and Hemlock, Elkie Brooks, Robert Palmer and Pete Gage of Vinegar Joe, Jess Roden of Bronco, Pete Wingfield of Jellybread, Jean Rouselle of Juicy Lucy and Hanson, Mick Taylor of The Rolling Stones, Lyn Dobson of The People Band and Third Ear Band with Henry Lowther, Chris Mercer and many more – and you are in for a Blues Rock meets Prog moments aural extravaganza. Let's get brave...

 

UK released 29 July 2020 - "Sinnin' For You: The Albums 1969-1973" by KEEF HARTLEY BAND on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC72809 (Barcode 5013929480995) is a 7CD Clamshell Box Set with Six Studio and One Live Album using 2008 Remasters, Mini LP Repro Artwork Card Sleeves (six are gatefolds), Picture Disc CDs, 15 Bonus Tracks (12 Previously Unissued) and a 48-Page booklet with KH Liner Notes for each album. All originally on Deram Records in the UK and credited to Keef Hartley Band except "Lancashire Hustler" to Keef Hartley. It plays out as follows:

 

CD1 "Halfbreed" (50:49 minutes):

1. Sacked (Introducing Hearts And Flowers/Confusion Theme/The Halfbreed)

2. Born To Die

3. Sinnin' For You

4. Leavin' Trunk [Side 2]

5. Just To Cry

6. Too Much Thinking

7. Think It Over/Too Much To Talk

Tracks 1 to 7 are his debut album "Halfbreed" – released March 1969 in the UK on Deram DML 1037 (Mono) and Deram SML 1037 (Stereo) – the STEREO MIX is used for this CD.

Band: Miller Anderson on Lead Vocals and Guitar, Peter Dines on Keyboards, Spit James on Guitar with Gary Thain on Bass and Keef Hartley on Drums

Guests: Henry Lowther on Trumpet and Violin, Harry Beckett on Trumpet, Lyn Dobson on Tenor Sax and Flute with Chris Mercer on Tenor Sax

 

BONUS TRACK:

8. Leave It 'Til The Morning – April 1969 UK Debut 45-single on Deram DM 250, A-side, Non LP (the LP track "Just To Cry" was the B-side)

 

CD2 "The Battle Of North West Six" (65:02 minutes):

1. The Dansette Kid – Hartley Jam [Side 1]

2. Don't Give Up

3. Me And My Woman

4. Hickory

5. Don't Be Afraid

6. Not Foolish, Not Wise [Side 2]

7. Waiting Around

8. Tadpole

9. Poor Mabel (You're Just Like Me)

10. Believe In You

Tracks 1 to 10 are his second studio album "The Battle Of North West Six" – released January 1970 in the UK on Deram DML 1054 (Mono) and Deram SML 1054 (Stereo) – the STEREO MIX is used for this CD.

Band: Keef Hartley, Miller Anderson, Henry Lowther, Jim Jewell on Tenor Sax, Gary Thain with Spit James – Guests Mick Weaver on Organ, Mike Davis, Harry Beckett, Lyn Dobson, Chris Mercer on Tenor Sax, Barbara Thompson on Baritone Sax and Flute, Ray Warleigh on Flute with Mick Taylor on Guitar

 

BONUS TRACKS (Recorded Live in 1969):

11. Spanish Fly (Live)

12. Me And My Woman (Live)

13. Too Much Thinking (Live)

14. Not Foolish, Not Wise (Live)

 

CD3 "The Time Is Near..." (35:13 minutes):

1. Morning Rain [Side 1]

2. From The Window

3. The Time Is Near

4. You Can't Take It With You [Side 2]

5. Premonition

6. Another Time, Another Place

7. Change

Tracks 1 to 7 are his third studio album "The Time Is Near..." – released August 1970 in the UK on Deram SML 1071 in Stereo only.

Band: Keef Hartley, Miller Anderson, Henry Lowther, Jim Jewell, Gary Thain, Dave Caswell on Various Horns, Lyle Jenkins on Various Horns, Stuart Wicks on Organ with Dell Roll on Percussion

 

CD4 "Overdog" (71:39 minutes):

1. You Can Choose [Side 1]

2. Plain Talkin'

3. Theme Song (a)/ En Route (b)/ Theme Song Reprise (c)

4. Overdog [Side 2]

5. Roundabout

6. Imitations From Home

7. We Are All The Same

Tracks 1 to 7 are his fourth studio album "Overdog" – released April 1971 in the UK on Deram SDL 2 in Stereo

Band: Keef Hartley, Miller Anderson, Gary Thain, Mick Weaver plus Dave Caswell, Lyle Jenkins, Johnny Almond on Flute, Jon Hiseman on Drums and Percussion, Peter Dines on Keyboards with Ingrid Thomas, John Knighton and Valerie Charrington on Backing Vocals

 

BONUS TRACKS (Recorded Live in 1971):

8. Colours (You Can Choose) (Live)

9. Roundabout (Live)

10. You Can't Take It With You (Live)

11. Just To Cry (Live)

 

12. Roundabout (Part 1)

13. Roundabout (Part 2)

Tracks 12 and 13 were the A&B-sides of a 20 November 1970 UK 45-single on Deram DM 316

 

CD5 "Little Big Band" (Live) (42:41 minutes):

1. You Can't Take It With You (Live) – 7:15 minutes [Side1]

2. Me And My Woman (Live) – 4:56 minutes

3. Not Foolish, Not Wise (Live) – 5:06 minutes

4. Leg Overture (Medley) (Live) – 23:16 minutes [Side 2]

(a) Leavin' Trunk

(b) Halfbreed

© Just To Cry

(d) Sinnin' For You

Tracks 1 to 4 are his fifth album (first live) "Little Big Band" – released October 1971 in the UK on Deram SDL 4 in Stereo – recorded live at The Marquee Club in London, 13 and 14 June 1971

Band: Keef Hartley, Miller Anderson, Gary Thain, Derek Austin on Organ & Piano, Pete York on Percussion, Derek Wadsworth on Trombone (Solo), Danny Almark on Trombone, Chris Mercer on Horns and Flute (Solos), Lyn Dobson with Barbara Thompson, Mike Rosen, Mike Davis, Terry Noonan, Martin Drover and Harry Beckett on Various Horns

 

CD6 "Seventy Second Brave" (55:26 minutes):

1. Heartbreakin' Woman [Side 1]

2. Marin County

3. Hard Pill To Swallow

4. Don't You Be Long

5. Nicturns [Side 2]

6. Don't Sign It

7. Always Thinking Of You

8. You Say You're Together Now

9. What It Is

Tracks 1 to 9 are his sixth album (fifth studio set) "Seventy Second Brave" – released May 1972 in the UK on Deram SDL 9 in Stereo

 

BONUS TRACKS (Live Studio):

10. Don't You Be Long

11. Marin County

12. Don't Sign It

13. Always Thinking Of You

 

CD7 "Lancashire Hustler" (38:44 minutes):

1. Circles [Side 1]

2. You And Me

3. Shovel A Minor

4. Australian Lady

5. Action [Side 2]

6. Something About You

7. Jennie's Father

8. Dance To The Music

Tracks 1 to 8 are his seventh album (sixth studio) "Lancashire Hustler" (credited as just Keef Hartley) – released May 1973 in the UK on Deram SDL 13 in Stereo. Album also features Vocalists Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer then with Vinegar Joe on most tracks as well as Jess Roden then with Bronco on Guitars.

 

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The rollicking Blues Rock with Brass stabs that is "Sinnin' For You" from the "Halfbreed" debut album could easily have been Blodwyn Pig over on Island Records on their 1969 starter "Ahead Rings Out" - while the straight-up slow boil of "Born To Die" is akin to Alvin Lee of Ten Years After doing the Blues for seven and a half minutes (Miller Anderson even sounded a little like Mick Abrahams and Alvin Lee combined. The heavy-heavy chug riffage of "Leavin' Trunk" - a Sleep John Estes R&B song Taj Mahal had covered so well on his self-titled debut album on Columbia and Direction Records in 1968 – could be Uriah Heep or Hard Meat or Skin Alley rocking out with the guitars panning the speakers like white boys have just discovered the Blues and how to Rock it. The tease between organ and guitar across speakers in Lowther/Finnegan written "Just To Cry" is a too cool for school blast – so moody and of the period – the kind of hipster chune that will surely turn up in a movie sequence soon (and again kind of Ten Years After).

 

After the impressive debut, there is (it has to be said) a certain plodding nature to the lumbering Rock of "The Battle Of North West Six" – their second platter recorded in 1969 but released January 1970. "Waiting Around" feels a lot like Delaney & Bonnie as does the Steppenwolf Organ and Guitar slow Blues of "Tadpole" – Mick Weaver featuring. Flautists Lyn Dobson and Barbara Thompson (of Colosseum) feature throughout but stuff like, "Poor Mabel..." feels like its stretching and not getting there. CD2 is the first of the sets of four live cuts (as Bonuses) and a tiny bit above Bootleg standard is what you would call the audio even if the band were tight. Their Bluesy take on "Me And My Woman" sounds like a band giving a soundcheck at Woodstock – Anderson sounding so Shuggie Otis (he covered the song on his debut solo album – see separate review). They are OK, but something I would ever listen to again.

 

Album number three is dominated by Singer and Guitarist Miller Anderson who wrote six of its seven songs, the exception being "Premonition" which was written by Flugelhorn player Dave Caswell. Production is once again by Neil Slaven and Keef but recorded at Trident, the audio is noticeably clearer and more professionally muscular. The Brass punches through every song (heavy on the lyrics) like a Blood, Sweat & Tears LP of the day. Highlights include "You Can’t Take It With You" – Jim Jewell letting rip towards its end. I know Funk-fiends who like their Rock with a hip Funk feel love the slinky instrumental "Premonition" – Dave Caswell getting into Trumpets and Electric Piano while Anderson throws in a very cool guitar solo worthy of a 1972/1973 Steely Dan album. Acoustic guitar sounding not unlike Duncan Browne doing "Journey" softens "Another Time, Another Place" – Miller Anderson singing of colours that do not easily blend but will in the end. The mellow continues as "Change" ends the album, again his voice a little too echoed like on the other tracks.

 

Wah-Wah Funk guitar opens the "Overdog" album – "You Can Choose" tearing out of your speakers with a positivity that is overwhelming – a little like Delaney & Bonnie on speed. The soft Rock-Funk continues with "Plain Talkin’" where Anderson pleads for truth and not loads of language that makes no sense in any tongue. Side 1 ends with a three-parter "Theme Song" – eight-minutes plus that opens with an acoustic starter complimented by soft Flute interjections and shimmering Hartley high hats in the background. It quickly kicks the drum in and off we go with a rapid Flute-Rock Funk that feels like Tull let loose (Johnny Almond doing the blowing). Miller Anderson gives the guitar solo in the LP title track "Overdog" with Mick Weaver doing the same on Organ – a very Prog-meets-Rock Ten Years After groove that somehow comes over as Robin Trower Funky too in its groove (future Queen alumni Roy Thomas Baker the Engineer on this session). "Roundabout" by Miller Anderson is not to be confused with another Anderson in Yes in 1971 also doing "Roundabout" on "Fragile". The Keef Hartley Band "Roundabout" is a Funky-Rock chugger that is far more lumpy that the brilliant Yes song – feeling more like Blood, Sweat & Tears meets Colosseum with both of them trying too hard. Deram split it into two halves of a 45-single that comes as Bonus Tracks on CD4. Recorded in November 1970, the Funky keyboard sway of "Imitations From Home" is an instrumental that layers Herb Alpert trumpets to Bongos and a Soul-shuffling backbeat – pretty damn cool actually. Anderson gets all hippy-meaningful with the "Overdog" LP closer - "We Are All The Same" – the let’s all live together chorus pumped up by a trio of backing vocalists. Like the four live tracks on CD2, CD4 has period recordings that are loud but overwhelming and at least better recorded than the first lot. The band come on like a freight train of Funk-meets-70s-Rock on "Roundabout" – the same on the CCS-busy "You Can’t Take It With You" while they get Blues-Rock with "Just To Cry" but some serious hiss and a muddy recording kind of do for the impact.

 

"Seventy Second Brave" is the first studio album to see the departure of Miller Anderson who was so much a part of the KFB sound (he formed Dog Soldier). Replaced by Junior Kerr on Guitar and Vocals – the "Seventy Second Brave" album was recorded with real aplomb at Trident Studios with the legendary Roy Thomas Baker and John Burns as Engineers. Kerr was augmented by ex Jellybread keyboard player and vocalist Pete Wingfield (dreaming of a No. 1 with "Eighteen With A Bullet" and a place in the Guinness Book of Records). I mention these two Funky Types because there is an immediate sophistication with the opener "Heartbreakin’ Woman" that was missing on the earlier albums – the funk continuing the Chris Mercer song "Marin County" – production crisp and neat. Pete Wingfield contributed "Hard Pill To Swallow" – a piano ballad that is more Soulful than KFB usually are. Pete sings of the good thing he once had that the foolish musician let slowly die – the brass and tasteful guitars beautifully recorded as the melody swirls and sways. Side 1 ends with "Don’t You Be Long" that initially feels like a Faces song ala 1973’s "Ooh La La" – Kerr calling to his baby – only for the tune to extend into an all-out Funkathon ending with pianos, organs and guitar flicks all doing battle.

 

Side 2 gives us floating flute (Nick Newell of Zoot Money & The Big Roll Band) and treated organ notes (Mick Weaver) tinkling for the short instrumental "Nicturns" where we could be in Stomu Yamashta territory or Jade Warrior (written by the mysterious Curly Crowe). Musician angst towards Managers and the Industry comes shuffling through "Don’t Sign It" where KFB sound almost like Lowell George in Little Feat having a go at perceived enforced one-room-flat living. Chris Mercer does the Sax honours on the speed-Funk of "You Say You’re Together Now" written and sung by Bassist Gary Thain. It ends of another Curly Crowe instrumental - "What It Is" – funking its AWB ass out of the studio with as much haste as possible.

 

What follows are four of the most interesting and accessible of all the bonuses – four live-in-the-studio track run-throughs for songs from the "Seventy Second Brave" album. The audio wavers between OK and only good – the sophistication of the produced LP cuts not there. Best of them is "Always Thinking Of You".

 

His Keef Hartley solo album proper "Lancashire Hustler" (sounding spiffy) opens with the slow "Circles" sounding not unlike a Soulful Robin Trower with James Dewar on Vocals (Jess Roden). The separation of the instruments and vocals is a bit harsh but amazingly clear - especially Jean Rouselle's lovely piano playing (Palmer and Brooks of Vinegar Joe adding Soulful backing vocals). Things get even more funky for "You And Me" where there's almost as Ashford & Simpson feel to the moog and brass jabs - while I've always loved the chipper instrumental "Shovel A Minor" sounding not unlike Warner Brothers Greenslade going into boogie mode - if you can imagine such a thing. It has brass pumps - guitar flicks that go all B.B. King - it's almost fusion too in places - hard to pin down but a blast nonetheless.

 

Things slow down again considerably for "Australian Lady" where again the brass accompanies a moody vocal and a floating keyboard note complimenting lovely guitar flicks floating over it all. It's unbelievably mellow and given the Deram Label rep for Progressive Rock almost wildly out of place (it even has a witty Take 3 piano interlude at the end). Side 2 opener "Action" is probably one of the best rawk tracks on the album - featuring fantastic guitar work and a raspy Robert Palmer adding real muscle from behind to Jess Roden's lead vocals. It's near six-minutes sounds at times like Free or Humble Pie with its drum and bass breaks.

 

Back to Trower funky with the choppy fazed guitars of "Something About You" and its mellow keyboard breaks. It ends on the massively upbeat Motown feel of "Dance To The Music" (a cover of the Sly & The Family Stone classic) that finally lets Elkie Brooks loose on the vocals and features great Steve Winwood Spencer David Group keyboards. It last over six minutes and despite its frantic need to sound like everyone's having fun - I'm not sure it works though I think Sly would approve of the odd-sounding Moog solo.

 

You wouldn't call "Lancashire Hustler" a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination and those looking for Hard Rock or Prog should look elsewhere. But if you like your guitars Soulful and Funky like Robin Trower or Free or Humble can be on a good day - then hustle this little forgotten nugget into your life real soon.

 

To sum up – I often feel Hartley and his catalogue are overrated – but there is enough here to make seekers of Rock with a Funk and Prog edge very happy indeed. And the presentation of these hard-to-find LPs is first class. Hustle it into your collection...

 

Keef Hartley Band – Esoteric Recordings CD Remasters

 

1. Halfbreed - March 1969 UK Debut LP

29 April 2008 UK CD on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2050 (Barcode 5013929715028) in Stereo, Plus One Bonus Track, A-side of 45-single

 

2. The Battle Of North West Six - January 1970 UK Second Studio LP

29 April 2008 UK CD on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2052 (Barcode 5013929715226) in Stereo – No Bonus Tracks

 

3. The Time Is Near... – August 1970 UK Third Studio LP

31 March 2008 UK CD on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2047 (Barcode 5013929714724) – No Bonus Tracks

 

4. Overdog – April 1971 UK Fourth Studio LP

31 March 2008 UK CD on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2048 (Barcode 501392971483) Plus Two Bonus Tracks, A&B-sides of a 45-single

 

5. Little Big Band (Live) – October 1971 UK Fifth LP (First Live)

29 April 2008 UK CD on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2051 (Barcode 5013929715127) – No Bonus Tracks

 

6. Seventy Second Brave - May 1972 UK Sixth LP (Fifth Studio)

26 January 2009 UK CD on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2100 (Barcode 5013929720022) – No Bonus Tracks

 

7. Lancashire Hustler (by Keef Hartley) – May 1973 UK Seventh LP

26 January 2009 UK CD on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2101 (Barcode 5013929720121) – No Bonus Tracks

 

8. Sinnin' For You: The Albums 1969-1973 – July 2020 UK 7CD Clamshell Box Set on Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 72809 (Barcode 5013929480995) – Seven Albums (Six Studio, One Live) Plus 15 Bonus Tracks