Genre: rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Hammer
Company: San Francisco
Catalog: SD 203
Year: 1970
Country/State: San Francisco
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments: DJ copy sticker on front; small portion of cover torn along right edge; white promo inner label
Available: SOLD
GEMM catalog ID: SOLD
Price: SOLD
Cost: $66.00
I'm consistently surprised by the number of 1960s and 1970s San Francisco-based outfits that managed to record LPs - most whom I'd never heard of. Here's another one that was unknown to me.
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 showcased 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.
"Hammer" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Something Easy (Norman Landsberg - John DeRoberts) - 2:50
2.) Hot and Cold (Jack O'Brien) - 3:00
3.) Tuane (instrumental) (Norman Landsberg) - 3:20
4.) You Make Never Wake Up (Apologies to Auden & Frost) (Jack O'Brien - Tom Kennedy) - 3:24
5.) Hangover Horns (Jack O'Brien - Tom Kennedy - John DeRoberts) - 3:15
(side
2)
1.) Charity Taylor (Jack O'Brien - Norman Landsberg - John
DeRoberts) - 3:29
2.) Sad Song, Happy Song (Jack O'Brien - Tom Kennedy) - 2:59
3.) Sweet Sunday Morning (Norman Landsberg - Bill Austin) - 2:16
4.) Pains and Tears (instrumental) (Norman Landsberg) - 3:28
5.) Death To a King (instrumental) (Norman Landsberg) - 5:38
Ah, once again the wonder of the internet shows itself:
I would like to let you know how much I appreciated your review of the record album HAMMER (San Francisco/Atlantic label, 1970) I don't know how long it has been up on-line, but I only discovered it fairly recently.
The guitarist, Jack O'Brien and I wrote many many songs together -- three of them are on the HAMMER album. Jack, alas, passed away in 1988, only 36 years old. He was a fabulous guitarist -- if only he had stayed with the music. He didn't write down the notes of the 40 or 50 songs we wrote together and since I am a mere lyricist, the music mostly died with him as my shaky voice would hardly be sufficient to reproduce the melodies. Jack was a fine fellow and is sorely missed.
The only one of the band members I am still in contact with is Richie McBride, the bass player, who now lives in Florida and teaches music in a high school there.
As for myself, I moved to Europe and continued to write, have published 20 books of fiction, literary criticism, travel essays, etc, including a four-novel cycle about Copenhagen, the city I live in.
I intend to put the HAMMER cover up on a website as well some time after the launch and to include sound bites from a couple of the songs and would like to link to your review.
Once again, thanks for keeping the memory of HAMMER alive on your site!
All best wishes,
Tom Kennedy (aka Thomas E. Kennedy -- tek@adslhome.dk)
January 2007
Tom Kennedy has an interesting web presence which will include a music section in the near future:
http://www.thomasekennedy.com/
John DeRoberts recently set up a Hammer website that includes four cuts from the album, a slide show of the group in performance and other material, including some 60s posters and Fillmore billings for the group.