HAMMOND, ALBERT

It Never Rains in Southern California is not only Albert Hammond's biggest solo hit, the album which spawned that Top Five smash was the best representation of the songwriter until his When I Need You album was released a few years later. The band is in a groove on this disc, and the songs are more happening than on the two immediate follow-ups, The Free Electric Band in 1973 and 1974's self-titled Albert Hammond. Songs like "Down by the River" and "The Road to Understanding" have more enthusiasm and spirit than the two succeeding albums. Albert Hammond, better-known as a songwriter for Jefferson Starship, Julio Iglesias, and Leo Sayer, among others, could have been a superstar on his own had he maintained the high level of songwriting exhibited on this disc. Though Mama Cass Elliot did a brilliant rendition of "If You've Gotta Break Another Heart" on her The Road Is No Place for a Lady album, that single was not embraced by the public as it should have been. The original version is here, along with the songwriter's take on his own "The Air That I Breathe." The Hollies would get a bigger hit out of this song than they had with "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother," but Hammond's version has more tenderness and more subtlety. It's great. "Listen to the World" has the singer preaching with a band who is rock-solid behind him. Don Altfield's co-production with Hammond and Michael Omartian's impeccable arrangements (Omartian was everywhere at this point in time) are captivating. The material Mike Hazelwood was writing with Hammond here is also top-notch. "If You Gotta Break Another Heart" keeps coming back as a brilliant pop classic that will someday top the charts if given the chance. "Names, Tags, Numbers, & Labels" would get rearranged and released two years later on the Albert Hammond album, a practice the singer/songwriter continued on other releases. Taking previously recorded work and re-crafting it wasn't a bad idea for a man whose tunes have helped so many other artists. It Never Rains in Southern California is a wonderful primer for people interested in this multifaceted artist. Songs like "From Great Britain to L.A." further the theme initiated in It Never Rains in Southern California and continued on The Free Electric Band album -- a musician in search of fame. The arrangements, the vibe, all the elements fall into place perfectly on this outing, and it is a shame they couldn't duplicate the magic quickly and with such brio. Hammond could have rivaled Elton John for chart dominance at this time had he been able to churn out more albums as superb as this. [The 1996 Collectables edition includes 12 additional tracks.] ~ Joe Viglione, AMG

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