Bay Area groove-rock combo Hammer comprised singer John DeRoberts,guitarist Jack O'Brien,bassist Richie McBride,keyboardist Norman Landsberg and drummer John Guerin. Formed in 1969,the group was quickly signed by legendary promoter Bill Graham to his fledgling San Francisco Records label-their self-titled debut LP appeared in 1970,supported by a series of high-profile opening dates at Graham's Fillmore venues.Despite strong critical notices,Hammer failed to earn much commercial attention and although a second album was recorded,it was never released and the band dissolved.While Landsberg later collaborated with the Pointer Sisters,Guerin went on to co-found the pioneering fusion unit L.A. Express-a prolific session drummer,he also played on Joni Mitchell's seminal Court and Spark and The Hissing of Summer Lawns sessions.
This excellent album by the US band was released in 1970 on Fillmore label and contains solid and very original dose of very energetic progressive rock with some jazz and heavy rock influences,The Hammer's music is characterized by interplays between intensive electric guitar and various keyboard instruments (inc. piano,Hammond organ and electric piano) on top of complex and sometimes very heavy rhythm section-with no brass instruments at all.Their sole LP is really difficult to describe,perhaps as an eclectic & high-octane combination of Brian Auger & The Trinity,early Santana,Spooky Tooth and Grand Funk!
1 Something Easy De Roberts,Landesberg
2 Hot and Cold O'Brien
3 Tuane Landesberg
4 You May Never Wake up(Apologies to Auden & Frost) Kennedy,O'Brien
5 Hangover Horns De Roberts,Kennedy,O'Brien
6 Charity Taylor De Roberts,Landesberg ...
7 Sad Song,Happy Song Kennedy,O'Brien
8 Sweet Sunday Morning Landesberg, Steve Austin
9 Pains and Tears Landesberg
10 Death to a King Landesberg
John De Roberts - vocal
Jack O'Brien - guitar
Norman Landsberg - keyboards
Ritchie McBride - bass
John Guerin - drums
Ken Janick - drums on track 6
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