Customer Reviews

Golden Classics - It Never Rains in Southern California

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD contains all the songs from Albert Hammond's first two solo albums (It never rains in Southern California, 1972/The free electric band, 1973) - which are among his best ones - in their original order, as well as two songs from his third LP, Albert Hammond (1974).

This sounds very unspectacular and could make you think that this CD is just a more or less ordinary re-release of some ordinary albums - but because of the over-average lyrics and the outstanding production, it could easily be a "best of" compilation (by far not complete, though):

Only It never rains in Southern California, Down by the river, The air that I breathe and The free electric band being really popular, this CD contains several underestimated gems, e.g. Anyone here in the audience, Names, tags, numbers & labels, The road to understanding, Smokey factory blues, Rebecca...

The Albert Hammond/Mike Hazlewood songwriting team was/is without doubt one of the greatest gifts of the Seventies' music world. But please be aware that Hammond didn't leave the business after these efforts; hopefully, Sony will prove this by re-releasing more of his works.

See alberthammond.net, my website about this great singer/songwriter (supported by Albert Hammond himself), for more details on his life and music.

Albert Hammond is virtually unknown, but many of his songs are known well. This album contains over 20 of his best, including the entire contents of his first two albums, and a few from his third. Pop fans will love every minute like I did. This album is pure melody, and contains songs that can relax as well as make you think. As someone who mostly listens to top 100 alternative these days, I can say that I like a variety of music, and that includes Albert Hammond. I only wish some of his later classics were included on this CD!

This guy is the dark side of humanity crying out to be heard by the masses. It's a CD to listen to when you're feeling quiet and introspective. His voice isn't the greatest, the songs aren't the most memorable. But songs like "Listen To The World", "If You Gotta Break Another Heart", "Brand New Day", "Anyone In The Audience" and "For The Peace Of All Mankind" have the soul of an emerging poet with something to say. "All I Need Is The Air That I Breathe" has been made into a zillion re-makes. His is not the best but he is the author and gives a good version. "It Never Rains In Southern California" remains one of those great am radio songs from the early seventies. However, the song I most like is "Names, Tags, Numbers & Labels". I bought the CD mostly for this song. I hadn't heard it in twenty years but remembered how I played that eight track over and over to hear this one. It hits hard and true and with real American poetry. If I were a singer this is one of those songs I would sing again and again. Albert also wrote "99 Miles From L.A." that great song by Art Garfunkel and "When I Needed You" with Carole Bayer Sager.

This album brings together the songs from Albert Hammond's first 2 albums, in the original order of their first release plus 2 from his 3rd. The voice is excellent, the songs are mostly first rate and what it lacks in production value is more than made up with Hammond's emotional interpretations of his own songs, never more poignant than on "Rebecca". His collaborator on all the songs is Mike Hazlewood who has provided Hammond with his best lyrics to date. In the late 80s his lyricists were more into writing a "hit" lyric than a truly inspirational one. Songs like "One moment in time" are a notable exception though.

This album omits later songs like 99 miles from LA and When I need you because they are from his 5th album.

Check out also if you are a big fan, his Spanish albums of which there are at least 7. Even if like me you can't speak the language, again, the music and the delivery blast through even if the early stuff, like the English recordings, sound a little dated.

One major gripe about this compilation being reviewed. Instead of the 2 tracks from Albert's 1974 self-titled album at the end, they could have put 3 non album B-sides on. These are "The last one to know" (Down by the river), "That old American dream" (If you gotta break another heart) and "You taught me to sing the blues" (The free electric band)

You may say who is Albert Hammond? This is truly an amazing listen. You can hear elements of the likes of Cat Stevens and The Guess Who. The first ten songs are from the original album, "It Never Rains In Southern California," a master work in itself on par with the likes of "Tea For The Tillerman." It Never Rains In Southern California is a catchy tune that turned out to be a top 10 hit for Hammond, but actually one of the weakest songs on the album. "From Great Britain To LA" is a delicious song about stardom; "If You Gotta Break Another Heart" is a beautiful and meditative song we can all relate to; "Down By The River" and "The Road To Understanding" are anthem-like folk-rock tunes that you will enjoy. The greatest song is "Names, Tags, Numbers, Labels," a song of both melodic and philosphic depth. In conclusion, this is a must-have for anyone who enjoys the folk-rock genre.

Singer/songwriter Albert Hammond's greatest hits collection, culled from his first three albums, features his endearing ode to the often futile search for stardom, "It Never Rains in Southern California", a seventies sing-a-long folk/pop classic if ever there was one. But don't stop there; "Down By the River" (not the Neil Young tune) is an ecology minded ditty way ahead of its time, the autobiographical "Free Electric Band" represents Albert's best hit that never quite was, and "I'm a Train" is an infectious novelty peppered with Latino flourishes. You'll also enjoy the serene Hammond compositions "The Air That I Breathe" (a smash for the Hollies), and "Smokey Factory Blues" (covered to great effect by Steppenwolf), plus numerous other middle of the road gems. Remember, this is the man who penned classics for Leo Sayre, Starship, Willie Nelson, and countless others, so he knows his way around a melody. Check out the lesser known, but equally worthwhile "Names, Tags, Numbers, and Labels", "The Peacemaker," and "The Day the British Army Lost the War", and you too, will be a believer.

RATING: FIVE RAINDROPS

A nearly perfect compilation for this great singer-songwriter from the 70's. Darned if I know exactly why he never hit it bigger-- the tunes are catchy, melodic, and thoughtful without being excessively earnest. Some of his better efforts are missing, but if you are over 35 and not familiar with Hammond, you'll find yourself repeatedly exclaiming, "Oh did HE write this! " Not quite as folksy as James Taylor, or as soulful as Carole King, or as earnest as Joni Mitchell, but an important artist to have in your collection nonetheless.

After years of so-so Albert Hammond compilations from CBS/Epic, this release from Collectables stands out like a diamond in the rough. It includes all the hit singles as well as those excellent album tracks/B sides Brand New Day and Anyone Here In the Audience. Some of Hammond's best work was found hidden on the B sides of singles and this collection brings them back in glorious digital sound. Some of the tracks are poignant (Down By the River), some are ethnic flavored (Everything I Want To Do), some are melancholy (Half A Million Miles From Home) but all are incredibly catchy pieces of pop perfection you'll be humming long after playing this collection. You can't be an officianado of '70s pop without this CD.

In response to the info supplied by Mr. Peter Davis, the CD is not "in the original order of their first release plus 2 from his 3rd..."I've got Albert's original LP(CBS SONY ECPM-53)of the same name, none of the titles are included in this CD except the first song of side one - Half a Million Miles from Home, and the first song of sdie two - I'm a Train

With 22 tracks of absolutely wonderful songs, this album is a good value. Hammond had a few big hits, but never was as popular as he should have been It's difficult to say why not, as he certainly wrote and performed many excellent songs, many of them on this album. He was probably more successful as a songwriter than as a performer and wrote several huge hits for other artists. I only knew Hammond from "It Never Rains in Southern California". It's still a favorite, but almost all the songs on this album are equally as good or better. There's not a bad song on the album. This is one of those artists that you can't help but wonder why you didn't discover sooner. Finding this album was like finding a lost treasure. Hammond doesn't have a perfect voice or as much passion or feeling as some singers, but even without that he is still a darn good singer and this is a very enjoyable and satisfying album. You won't be disappointed.