It Never Rains in Southern California

Albert Hammond

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 5, 1996)
• Original Release Date: November 5, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Collectables
• ASIN: B00000092X
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #133,860 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Listen to the World

2. If You Gotta Break Another Heart

3. From Great Britain to L.A.

4. Brand New Day

5. Anyone Here in the Audience

6. It Never Rains in Southern California

7. Names, Tags, Numbers and Labels

8. Down by the River

9. Road to Understanding

10. Air That I Breathe

11. Smokey Factory Blues [*]

12. Peacemaker [*]

13. Woman of the World [*]

14. Everything I Want to Do [*]

15. Who's for Lunch Today? [*]

16. Free Electric Band [*]

17. Rebecca [*]

18. Day the British Army Lost the War [*]

19. For the Peace of All Mankind [*]

20. I Think I'll Go That Way [*]

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Could easily be a "best of" compilation, October 10, 2001

By	Reto (Zurich, Switzerland) - See all my reviews

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Listen to album, February 9, 1999

By A Customer

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!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Unknown Soldier, September 24, 2000

By	Thomas Lapins (Orlando, Florida USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

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.