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HAMMER - S/T
1970 PSYCH LP
THIS EXTREMELY RARE!
Rock Soul Blues Psych ALBUM
WAS PRESSED BACK IN 1970
BY SAN FRANCISCO RECORDS
SD 203
Record: VG+ Has some light wear
Cover: Has some ring wear, and spine wear. Our copy is not in shrink wrap.
NOTE: Picture is not of our copy
TRACKS:
Something Easy
Hot and Cold
Tuane
You May Never Wake up
Hangover Horns
Charity
Sad Song, Happy Song
Sweet Sunday Morning
Pains and Tears
Death to a King
Norman Landsberg - Richie McBride - Jack O'Brien
John DeRoberts - John Guerin
Hammer had the luxury of performing at both the Fillmore East & West to help promote this album!
Drummer John Guerin would go on to form L.A. Express with Tom Scott.
Based in San Francisco, Hammer was composed of singer John DeRoberts , drummer John Guerin, keyboardist Norman Landsberg, bass player Richie McBride and guitarist Jack O'Brian. The band's lucky break came in 1969 when they attracted a mentor in the form of Bill Graham. Graham showacsed the band with a number of opening act performances at the Fillmore East and West, quickly signing them to his Atlantic Records affiliated San Francisco label.
Anyone expecting to hear a standard set of early-1970s San Francisco psych is liable to be a little disappointed by the David Rubinson produced "Hammer", however if you give the album a chance, it turns out to be quite enjoyable. Musically the album's all over the roadmap, including stabs at pop, rock, classical (the instrumental 'Pain and Tears') and even some jazzy interludes ('Sweet Sunday Morning'). Let me warn you that as lead singer DeRoberts is somewhat of an acquired taste. On tracks such as 'Something Easy' and 'Charity Taylor' he occasionally reminds me of Journey's Steve Perry. He also has a habit of reaching for those high notes that leaves me shuddering. Obviously, that may pose a problem for some folks. On the other hand, DeRoberts is surrounded by a first rate band that churn out some first-rate performances . Among them, 'Hangover Horns' is a great rocker, the scat instrumental 'Tuane' is kind of cool and guitarist O'Brien and keyboardist Landsberg show off some nifty chops on the instrumental 'Death To a King'. Not essential listening, but certainly an interesting addition to the catalog of San Francisco-based groups.
The band reportedly recorded a sophomore set. It was promptly shelved and the band called it quits. Guerin went on to become an in-demand sessions player and a founding member of The L.A. Express. Landsberg went the same route, enjoying considerable success working with The Pointer Sisters.
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