Search - Keef Hartley :: Halfbreed

Keef's Got the Best Blues Of All!

PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 12/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The best British blues album, of the late sixties, opens with bit of drama as John Mayall, gives Keef a liitle ring to inform him he was being fired, from Mayall's Band, {"Hearts & Flowers," included}. There were many great bands in England playing the blues, and Keef Hartley was ready to lead up his own band, and grab the brass ring. "Halfbreed" is one of the finest records of British blues ever served up, well...Ever.



"Confusion Theme" {like a band on stage, warmin' up} melts right into the title track: "Halfbreed", and it's serious right from the begining, with smoldering organ at first and then The guitars, let's just mention that these guitars BURN all the way through this record, and never ever let up, slow or blinding fast, all the right notes are played.

"Born To Die", is a slow blues epic, the singing of Miller Anderson, is intense and the guitars on this one are full of emotion. Like Mick Taylor, in his prime, the guitars of Spit James & Miller Anderson are a 10++ on this one, and really bring this one home...World class playing here...

"Sinnin' For You", features the best hooks on this record, it's a catchy tune and I can't believe that nobody else has ever done a cover version, of this, it's another classic.

Side Two: This half of the record opens with: "Leavin' Trunk" and it's heavy and hard, with Miller singing a bunch, once more...Another keeper.

"Just To Cry", cools the mood down with bass & organ leading the way and lead guitars melting in with their cries of pain, this one is a slow burn of playing and it stays right in the pocket.

"Too Much Thinking", a slow one that builds and builds with the guitars ready to ignite, then a nice fiddle takes over in the middle section, and with Miller's help, the band finishes up, and it's into: "Leave It Til' The Morning" that sounds very close to a John Mayall track.

"Think It Over" is the closer, with it's Hendrix style, Wa-Wa. This is standard 1969 Blues, all the way...Then, the phone, rings once more...".And, you're sacked" it's over for Keef, and "Halfbreed" comes to a close.

Classic, all the way. My favorite of the British blues bands, Keef Hartley has hit a home run here!

Five Stars !!!"

Holy moly!!>.

outlawguy | 08/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"fantastic.the guitarist-vocalist, miller anderson is the star here.if you like mike bloomfield,chicken shack,john mayall,savoy brown,etc.you will like this."