Record Reviews

KEEF HARTLEY BAND ~ HALFBREED ESOTERIC 2050 (Barcode: 5013929715028) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 1969 Released: 2008 1st album by the excellent Keef Hartley BandFind albums by this artist, one the best Blues / Rock / Jazz ensembles ever, founded by drummer Keef HartleyFind albums by this artist following his stint with John MayallFind albums by this artist´s BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist. The band featured a nucleus consisting of singer / guitarist Miller AndersonFind albums by this artist, guitarist Spit JamesFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Peter DinesFind albums by this artist, bassist Gary ThainFind albums by this artist and Hartley on drums. In addition a horn section was added to expand the band´s sound, which on this album consisted of the best horn players in Britain: trumpeters Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist and Harry BecketFind albums by this artist and saxophonists Lynn DobsonFind albums by this artist and Chris MercerFind albums by this artist. Together this nine-piece band had a tremendous power and considering the quality of its members it was simply the best "little Big Band" around at the time. Hartley´s sensitive drumming drives the music through a set of fantastically well written and superbly arranged tunes, which are Blues based but extend often into Rock and Jazz. The guitar work is stunning, the brass arrangement just right on the money, in short heaven on earth for any Blues fan, but basically early Jazz-Rock Fusion enthusiasts will find here everything they need to make them happy. Definitely a classic of the genre and an essential piece of music if ever there was one!

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

KEEF HARTLEY BAND ~ SEVENTY SECOND BRAVE ESOTERIC 2100 (Barcode: 5013929720022) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock Recorded: 1971 Released: 2009 6th album by the great UK drummer Keef HartleyFind albums by this artist with a new version of his band, which included vocalist / guitarist Junior KerrFind albums by this artist, bassist Gary ThainFind albums by this artist, two saxophonists Chris MercerFind albums by this artist and Nick NewellFind albums by this artist and pianist Pete WingfieldFind albums by this artist. Old buddy Mick WeaverFind albums by this artist helped out on organ. The music is tight and has a strong Brass-Rock feel, mixing Blues, Rock, Jazz and some Prog elements. In retrospect the music still sounds great after all these years and Hartley´s fans will surely love to have this one in their collection.

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JUICY LUCY ~ JUICY LUCY ESOTERIC 2215 (Barcode: 5013929731547) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1969 Released: 2010 1st album by the incredible British Prog band Juicy LucyFind albums by this artist, formed around the US lap steel guitar player Glenn CampbellFind albums by this artist, resident in UK at the time. The first lineup of the group, which recorded this album, included also vocalist Ray OwenFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Chris MercerFind albums by this artist, guitarist Neil HubbardFind albums by this artist, bassist Keith EllisFind albums by this artist and drummer Pete DobsonFind albums by this artist. Heavily Blues based, the band expanded into Hard Rock, Psychedelia and early Prog, playing mostly original material and superb arrangements of standards. Campbell´s guitar work is simply stunning and miles above anything done at the time. Owen´s throaty vocals are superbly expressive, and all the other band members play incredibly well, turning this album into a timeless masterpiece. In many respects this album encapsulates everything that was great in music by the end of the 1960s: originality, innovation, guts and talent. Over 40 years after I heard this album for the first time it´s still one of my all-time favorites. Essential music for body and soul!

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

JUICY LUCY ~ LIE BACK AND ENJOY IT ESOTERIC 2216 (Barcode: 5013929731646) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2010 2nd album by the incredible British Prog band Juicy LucyFind albums by this artist, formed around the US lap steel guitar player Glenn CampbellFind albums by this artist, resident in UK at the time. The second lineup of the group, which recorded this album, included also vocalist Paul WilliamsFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Chris MercerFind albums by this artist, guitarist Micky MoodyFind albums by this artist, bassist Keith EllisFind albums by this artist and drummer Rod CoombesFind albums by this artist. Heavily Blues based, the band expanded into Hard Rock, Psychedelia and early Prog, playing mostly original material and superb arrangements of standards. This album includes what is probably the best ever cover of Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist´s tune "Willie The Pimp", which is absolutely incredible. Campbell´s guitar work is simply stunning and miles above anything done at the time. Williams´ throaty vocals are superbly expressive, and all the other band members play incredibly well, turning this album into a timeless masterpiece. In many respects this album encapsulates everything that was great in music by the end of the 1960s: originality, innovation, guts and talent. Over 40 years after I heard this album for the first time it´s still one of my all-time favorites. Essential music for body and soul!

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

JOHN MAYALL ~ BARE WIRES (EXPANDED EDITION) DECCA 842178 (Barcode: 602498421789) ~ UK ~ Blues Recorded: 1968 Released: 2007 8th album by John MayallFind albums by this artist and his BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist, and his most ambitious project by far. The Bluesbreakers’ lineup was extended to a septet and included Mick TaylorFind albums by this artist on guitar, Tony ReevesFind albums by this artist on bass, Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist on drums and a brass section which included Chris MercerFind albums by this artist on tenor and baritone saxes, Dick Heckstall-SmithFind albums by this artist on tenor and soprano saxes and Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist on cornet and violin. The entire first side of the LP was dedicated to an extended blues suite (first of its kind ever), with strong jazz influences, hence this album is often quoted as one of the earliest examples of the Jazz-Rock genre. The quality of the songwriting and the performances on this album are truly astounding and to this day it remains as a classic icon of the era. However soon after the album was recorded Mayall decided to disband the Bluesbreakers and opt for an intimate quartet for his new project, retaining only the services of Mick Taylor. Three of the band members (Reeves, Hiseman and Heckstall-Smith) decided to form the legendary ColosseumFind albums by this artist, joining forces with keyboards player Dave GreensladeFind albums by this artist and guitarist James LitherlandFind albums by this artist and the rest is history. So now you know that Colosseum was actually a Bluesbreakers offspring. As for the album, it’s an absolute must for every blues fan and for most lovers of the early Jazz-Rock and Prog genres. Essential!

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

JOHN MAYALL ~ CRUSADE (EXPANDED EDITION) DECCA 842175 (Barcode: 602498421758) ~ UK ~ Blues Recorded: 1967 Released: 2007 4th album by John MayallFind albums by this artist and his BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist and the 3rd album Mayall recorded in 1967 (with another double live album also recorded later in the year), which positions this appropriately titled release as part of his tireless crusade to spread the blues with all his might. Considering the fact that during the year that preceded the recording Mayall lost two of the greatest blues guitar players (Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist and Peter GreenFind albums by this artist) as his front men, his remarkable ability to recreate to group is truly legendary. The new lead guitarist stepping in the footsteps of the departing legends was the young Mick TaylorFind albums by this artist, who turned out to be not only an appropriate replacement, but also a true revelation. His extraordinary technique and superb feel for the blues made him an ideal partner for Mayall. Taylor would stay with Mayall for about two years, which turned out to be very productive and result in a series of excellent albums. Later on he’s leave Mayall to join the Rolling StonesFind albums by this artist as a replacement for the tragically departed Brian JonesFind albums by this artist. The revamped Bluesbreakers included also the legendary John McVieFind albums by this artist (of Fleetwood MacFind albums by this artist fame), the extremely talented drummer Keef HartleyFind albums by this artist and a brass section consisting of Chris MercerFind albums by this artist (tenor sax) and Rip KantFind albums by this artist (baritone sax). The entire album was recorded in just one day (except for the bonus material), proving how professional and talented these wonderful musicians really were. Mayall wrote the bulk of the material, and a few blues standards are also used. In retrospect this is one of the formative British blues albums and a prime example of the genre. Essential listening material for every blues fan.

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend