What Frank is listening to #209 – ALBERT HAMMOND – When I Need You – (Epic) – 1977
Happy Eurovision to you all!
I'm not sure if a Hammond tune has ever been in the Eurovision but in some ways his music perfectly represents the best (not the worst) of the Eurovision. (I can't believe Croatia didn't qualify).
If anyone hears this album I'm going to get a lot of shit.
But let me defend myself first ……
Refer to what Frank is listening to #169 – ALBERT HAMMOND – The Free Electric Band – (CBS) – 1973 for more detail. Amongst other things, I said this there:
Hammond, a Gibraltarian (born in London because his family were evacuated there during World War 2 but returning to Gibraltar immediately after) had been banging around the music scene from the early 60s and vacillated between England and Gibraltar, which probably explains his easy relocation to L.A. later. I would think L.A. resembles (climate wise) Gibraltar more than London. Hammond has also released albums ( and recorded many of his songs) in both English and Spanish. Again, L.A. with it's sizeable Hispanic population may have appealed to him,.
A quick google gave me this:
A common misperception of me is… Probably where I’m from. I was born in London but raised in Gibraltar and I guess both places try to claim me. I often ask myself, ‘if I wasn’t famous, who’d want me?’ but I feel very Gibraltarian and really identify with the place. It was great to grow up there and it taught me to be instinctive – almost like a street kid. I learned to speak on the streets, both in Spanish and English.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/the-five-minute-interview-albert-hammond-singer-and-songwriter-1544687.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/the-five-minute-interview-albert-hammond-singer-and-songwriter-1544687.html
I loved that last Hammond album I commented on which was singer–songwriter pop, well done with taste and thought.
This album is straight MOR (middle of the road) and a lot of the cringe worthy elements of male MOR are here. Dramatic lyrics, words laden with meaning, overwrought arrangements and a distinct lack of humour. But, there is something worthwhile going on here…… sincerity and sensitivity. Hammond is like a more sensitive Tom Jones who seduces his listener rather than beats them into submission. The other point of comparison and probably a better one would be 70s era Neil Diamond though without Neil's occasional lapses into pretension.
The quality of the song writing is high (including co-writes with Carol Bayer Sager and Burt Bacharach partner Hal David) but Hammond's knack is to hook the words together into catchy lines and then throw them onto equally catchy melodies. He finishes it off with some heart on the sleeve singing. Any further and he would be a caricature of the genre but his taste (and smarts I suspect) keep him on the grassy side of the paddock.
Still, I can see a lot of shit coming my way.
Tracks (best in italics)
- Tangled Up in Tears – Hammond, Leikin- Hammond's response to Dylan's "Tangled up in Blue"? Despite (or maybe because of) the fact this sounds like the songs in the musical interlude skits from the mid 70s Benny Hill Show this is quite catchy. But then again so was the Benny Hill Show … and it was educational to boot.
- To All the Girls I've Loved – Hammond, David- an updated version of the same song from his 1975 album "99 Miles from L.A.". This is pure mush and undeniably well written mush. This was a big hit for Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias in 1984 ( Country #1, Adult Contemporary #3, Billboard Hot 100 #5 ). Excellent, though …. err, incredible mush.
- Kaleidoscope – Hammond, David – fairly standard love and life is a confusing kaleidoscope.
- Rivers Are for Boats -Hammond, David – an updated version of the same song from his 1975 album "99 Miles from L.A." A bouncy love song with a slight Latin carnival feel – that Benny Hill thing appears again also …. all the way down to the "la, la , la ,la" chorus. But it's catchy.
- You and I -Hammond, Sager – a radio friendly 70s big ballad
- 99 Miles from L.A. -Hammond, David – an updated version of the same song from his 1975 album "99 Miles from L.A." Pleasant.
- When I Need You – Hammond, Sager – a big hit for Leo Sayer in 1977 (Adult Contemporary #1, Billboard Hot 100 #1,R&B Singles #94 ). It has been covered many times. A history of the song: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_I_Need_You , Catchy mush.
- Cry, Baby -Hammond, Sager – Filler.
- Moonlight Lady -Hammond, Sager – a #17 Adult Hit for Julio Iglesias in 1984. Catchy
- All Alone Am I -Altman, Hadjidakis, Ioannidis – The Brenda Lee hit from 1962 (Adult Contemporary #1, The Billboard Hot 100 #3 ). Lightly dramatic.
And…
I like this album … I'm keeping it.
Chart Action
US
Singles
1975 99 Miles from L.A. Adult Contemporary #1, Billboard Hot 100 #91
Album
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Singles
1975 99 Miles from L.A. Adult Contemporary #1, Billboard Hot 100 #91
Album
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England
Singles
Singles
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Album
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Sounds
Tangled Up in Tears
attached
To All the Girls I've Loved Before
live
the cover
Kaleidoscope
99 Miles from L.A.
live
When I Need You
the cover
attached
Cry Baby
Moonlight Lady
Others
It Never Rains in Southern California
Review
Bio
Website
Trivia
- ( for you yung uns) ….Albert's son, Albert Hammond, Jr. is a successful solo musician and also a member of The Strokes.
- In 1970 Albert produced the album "Coming From Reality" for Detroit folk-rock star and cult legend Rodriguez.
Other Comments
what Frank is listening to #169 – ALBERT HAMMOND – The Free Electric Band – (CBS) – 1973
(originally posted: 15/05/2011)
