On July 22, 2024, John Mayall died aged 90. He was musician (keyboards, harmonica, guitar), singer, songwriter and producer. In the 1960s, he formed John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, a band that has counted among its members some of the most famous blues and blues rock musicians, including Sammy Prosser, Davey Graham, John Gilbey, Ricky Brown, Pete Burford, Sam Stone, Brian Myall, Keith Robertson, Bernie Watson, John McVie, Peter Ward, Martin Hart, Roger Dean, Hughie Flint, Eric Clapton, John Weider, John Slaughter, Geoff Krivit, Peter Green, Jack Bruce, Mick Taylor, Aynsley Dunbar, Micky Waller, Mick Fleetwood, Terry Edmonds, Keef Hartley, Chris Mercer, Rip Kant, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Paul Williams, Keith Tillman, Henry Lowther, Andy Fraser, Tony Reeves and Jon Hiseman. John Mayall was referred to as the “Godfather of the British Blues”, and the “Pioneer of the British Blues”, with career that spanned nearly seven decades, remaining an active musician until his death. He released seventy albums (studio and live).
Tag Archives: Keef Hartley
John Mayall: The Blues Alone
In November 1967, “Ace of Clubs” label released “The Blues Alone”, the fourth John Mayall album. It was recorded in May 1967, at “Decca Studios” in London, and was produced by Mike Vernon and John Mayall.
Personnel:
- John Mayall – vocals, guitars, harmonica, piano, organ, celeste, drums, design
- Keef Hartley – drums
- Gus Dudgeon – engineer
- David Grinstead – engineer
- Rob Bosboom – photography
- John Peeil – liner notes
Track listing:
All tracks by John Mayall
- Brand New Start
- Please Don’t Tell
- Down the Line
- Sonny Boy Blow
- Marsha’s Mood
- No More Tears
- Catch That Train
- Cancelling Out
- Harp Man
- Brown Sugar
- Broken Wings
- Don’t Kick Me
Keef Hartley Band: The Battle of North West Six
In October 1969, “Deram” label released “The Battle of North West Six”, the second Keef Hartley Band album. It was recorded in 1969, and was produced by Neil Slaven.
Personnel:
- Keef Hartley– drums, percussion
- Miller Anderson– vocals, guitars
- Henry Lowther– trumpet, flugelhorn, violin, brass arrangements
- Jim Jewell, Chris Mercer– tenor saxophone
- Gary Thain– bass guitar
- “Spit James” (Ian Cruickshank) – guitar
- Mick Weaver– organ, piano, percussion
- Mick Taylor– guitar
- Mike Davis – trumpet
- Harry Beckett– trumpet, flugelhorn
- Lyn Dobson– tenor saxophone, flute
- Barbara Thompson– baritone saxophone, flute
- Ray Warleigh– flute
- Derek Varnals – recording
- Adrian Martins, John Punter– engineer assistant
- Art Wood– artwork
- Richard Sacks – photography
Track listing:
- The Dansette Kid / Hartley Jam for Bread – Fiona Hewitson, Spit James, Keef Hartley, Gary Thain
- Don’t Give Up – Fiona Hewitson, Spit James, Keef Hartley, Gary Thain
- Me and My Woman – Gene Barge
- Hickory – Fiona Hewitson, Spit James, Keef Hartley, Gary Thain
- Don’t Be Afraid – Fiona Hewitson, Spit James, Keef Hartley, Peter Dines, Gary Thain
- Not Foolish, Not Wise – Fiona Hewitson, Spit James, Keef Hartley, Gary Thain
- Waiting Around – Fiona Hewitson, Keef Hartley, Gary Thain
- Tadpole – Fiona Hewitson, Keef Hartley, Gary Thain
- Poor Mabel (You’re Just Like Me) – Fiona Hewitson, Spit James, Keef Hartley, Gary Thain
- Believe In You – Fiona Hewitson, Keef Hartley, Gary Thain
John Mayall: Ten Years Are Gone
In September 1973, “Polydor” label released “Ten Years Are Gone”, the twenty-second John Mayall album. It was recorded in 1973, at “Sunset Sound” in Los Angeles, and was produced by John Mayall.
Personnel:
- John Mayall – vocal, piano, guitar, harmonica
- Freddy Robinson – vocal, guitar
- Victor Gaskin- bass
- Keef Hartley- drums
- Blue Mitchell– trumpet, flugelhorn
- Red Holloway- alto and tenor saxophone, flute
- Sugarcane Harris- violin
Track listing:
All tracks by John Mayall except where noted.
- Ten Years Are Gone
- Driving Till The Break of Day
- Drifting
- Better Pass You By
- California Campground
- Undecided – Freddy Robinson
- Good Looking Stranger
- I Still Care
- Don’t Hang Me Up
- Introduction
- Sitting Here Thinking
- Harmonica Free Form
- Burning Sun
- Dark of the Night
John Mayall: Back to the Roots
In March 1971, “Polydor” label released “Back to the Roots”, the fifteen John Mayall album. It was recorded 15-25 November 1970, in London and California, and was produced by John Mayall.
Personnel:
- John Mayall – vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano, keyboards
- Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, Harvey Mandel, Jerry McGee – guitars
- Larry Taylor, Steven Thompson – bass
- Keef Hartley, Paul Lagos – drums
- Johnny Almond – saxophone, flute
- Don “Sugarcane” Harris– violin
Track listing:
All tracks by John Mayall.
- Prisons on the Road
- My Children
- Accidental Suicide
- Groupie Girl
- Blue Fox
- Home Again
- Television Eye
- Marriage Madness
- Looking at Tomorrow
- Dream with Me
- Full Speed Ahead
- Censor Man
- Force of Nature
- Boogie Albert
- Goodbye December
- Unanswered Questions
- Devil’s Tricks
- Travelling
John Mayall And The Bluesbreakers: Bare Wires
On June 21, 1968, “Decca” label released “Bare Wires”, the eight John Mayall and the Bluesbrakers album. It was recorded in April 1968, at “Decca Studios” in London, and was produced by Mike Vernon and John Mayall. “Bare Wires” was the last John Mayall studio album to feature the name “Bluesbreakers”.
Personnel:
- John Mayall– vocals, harmonica, piano, harpsichord, organ, harmonium, guitar
- Peter Green– guitar
- Mick Taylor– lead guitar, Hawaiian guitar
- Tony Reeves– string bass, bass guitar
- Jon Hiseman– drums, percussion
- Keef Hartley– drums
- Dick Heckstall-Smith – soprano and tenor saxophone
- Chris Mercer –tenor and baritone saxophone
- Henry Lowther– cornet, violin
- Derek Varnals – engineer
- Pete Smith, Jan Persson –photography
Track listing:
All tracks by John Mayall, except where noted.
- Bare Wires Suite (Medley)
- Bare Wires
- Where Did I Belong
- I Started Walking
- Open Up A New Door
- Fire
- I Know Now
- Look In The Mirror
- I’m a Stranger
- No Reply – John Mayall, Mick Taylor
- Hartley Quits – Mick Taylor
- Killing Time
- She’s Too Young
- Sandy
Keef Hartley Band: Overdog
On April 8, 1971, “Deram” released “Overdog”, the fourth Keef Hartley Band album. It was recorded in 1970 – 1971, and was produced by Neil Slaven and Keef Hartley.
Personnel:
- Keef Hartley- drums, percussion
- Miller Anderson- vocals, guitar
- Gary Thain- bass guitar
- Mick Weaver- keyboards
- Dave Caswell- trumpet, flugelhorn
- Lyle Jenkins- tenor saxophone, flute
- Johnny Almond- flute
- Jon Hiseman- drums, percussion
- Peter Dines- keyboards
- Ingrid Thomas- backing vocals
- Joan Knighton- backing vocals
- Valerie Charrington- backing vocals
- Robin Black- engineer
- John Punter- engineer, A.I.R.
- Roy Thomas Baker- engineer
Track listing:
All tracks by Miller Anderson, except where noted.
- Enroute – Keef Hartley, Gary Thain
- Imitations From Home – Keef Hartley
- You Can Choose
- Plain Talkin
- Theme Song / Enroute / Theme Song Reprise
- Overdog
- Roundabout
- Imitations From Home
- We Are All The Same
John Mayall And The Bluesbreakers: Crusade
On September 1, 1967,”Decca” label released “Crusade”, the third John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers studio album. It was recorded on July 12, 1967, at the “Decca West Hampstead” studios, and was produced by Mike Vernon.
Personnel:
- John Mayall – vocals, organ, piano, harmonica, bottleneck guitar
- Mick Taylor – lead guitar
- Peter Green – lead guitar
- John McVie – bass guitar
- Keef Hartley – drums
- Mick Fleetwood – drums
- Chris Mercer – tenor sax
- Rip Kant – baritone sax
Track listing:
All tracks by John Mayall except where noted.
- Oh, Pretty Woman – C. Williams
- Stand Back Baby
- My Time After Awhile – Ron Badger, Sheldon Feinberg, Robert Geddins
- Snowy Wood – John Mayall, Mick Taylor
- Man of Stone – Eddie Kirkland
- Tears in My Eyes
- Driving Sideways – Freddie King, Sonny Thompson
- The Death of B. Lenoir
- I Can’t Quit You Baby – Willie Dixon
- Streamline
- Me and My Woman – Gene Barge
- Checkin’ Up on My Baby – Sonny Boy Williamson II
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