Act #11 The Keef Hartley Band Saturday, August 16, 1969... 4:00 p.m.

The Keef Hartley Band Woodstock Setlist Live

My Take:

The Keef Hartley Band was one of the few British Bands to perform at Woodstock. Their sound was characterized by a fusion of Jazz and Rock, with Bluesy Vocals from Miller Anderson and a strong Horn section, which gave their Music a Raw Rock Punch.

Critics have compared their style favorably to Bands like Blood, Sweat & Tears, and Chicago, noting that Hartley's Band had a rawer and more dynamic sound... I agree with that.

Their opening Instrumental was not very interesting and too repetitive... The Setlist included original compositions like "Spanish Fly," "Too Much Thinking," and "Believe in You," demonstrating their Songwriting abilities and unique Sounds. The inclusion of Covers like "Think It Over" by B.B. King highlighted their Blues Roots, a key component of their Musical Style. The Band displayed their Instrumental Skills, particularly Hartley's Drumming and Miller Anderson's Guitar work.

The Crowd was not really moved that much and the Noise factor was a 2 to 4.

The Keef Hartley Band Musical Bio

The Keef Hartley Band was a British Jazz-Rock Fusion group that emerged in the late 1960s, led by Drummer Keef Hartley. Here's a concise musical biography of the band:

Formation and Early Years

Keef Hartley, born on March 8, 1944, in Preston, Lancashire, England, began his musical career as a drummer for various bands. After stints with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes (replacing Ringo Starr) and Freddie Starr and The Midnighters, Hartley gained prominence as a member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers.

The Keef Hartley Band

In 1968, Hartley left the Bluesbreakers to form his own group, the Keef Hartley Band. The band's lineup included:

• Keef Hartley: drums

• Miller Anderson: guitar, vocals

• Gary Thain: bass

• Henry Lowther: trumpet, violin

• Jimmy Jewell: saxophone

Musical Style and Achievements

The Keef Hartley Band was known for blending elements of jazz, blues, and rock, appealing to the UK progressive music scene of the late 1960s. Their debut album, "Halfbreed," was released in 1969 and featured Hartley on the cover in full American Indian dress.

Woodstock and Later Years

The band performed at the legendary Woodstock Festival in 1969, playing on Saturday, August 16, from 4:45 to 5:30 pm. Unfortunately, their performance was not included in the Woodstock film or soundtrack, which limited their exposure and potential for wider success.Despite this setback, the Keef Hartley Band continued to tour and release albums. They produced several more records, including "The Battle of North West Six" and others.

Dissolution and Legacy

The band dissolved in early 1973, with various members going on to work with other notable acts. Keef Hartley himself recorded a solo album and later reunited with John Mayall for several projects.While the Keef Hartley Band didn't achieve the same level of fame as some of their contemporaries, they made a significant contribution to the British jazz-rock fusion scene of the late 1960s and early 1970s.