Fresh and positive outlook ...

Albert Hammond, the man with the British / Spanish roots, can truly look back on a long and successful musical career. He has always shone with his own compositions, which he wrote for other artists, but also has sung himself. An all-rounder that, looking to the world of known and less known pop or pop artists from the charts, then as now, has no equal ...

So already appeared 1968 mitgeschriebene Hammond Song "Little Arrows", which a certain Leapy Lee sang. Then it gave the band "Family Dogg", participated in the time even Ireen Sheer (!) ...

In 1972 the international breakthrough began with the self-sung hit "It Never Rains In Southern California". Albert Hammond's relatively simple-minded music since distinguished itself by acoustic and pronounced melodic characteristics. Always be singing to his handmade and usually accompanied by acoustic guitar music was fresh and positive outlook. Whether the lyrics were more sad or critical. That made his music authentic and credible. And quite interesting, even if you are not so sure stood up pop and chart music.

All these features limitations Hammond therefore apart from other contemporary pop or pop stars from the charts from. He was more of a songwriter and producer, less the pop star ...

His ranged from said "It Never Rains In Southern California" on "The Free Electric Band" (one of my favorite songs in the youth ...), "Down By The River", "New York City Here I Come" or "I 'm A Train "to the composed for other world stars such songs. B." When I Need You ", which was a super hit by Leo Sayer. Or "The Air That I Breathe" for the Hollies, one of the most beautiful pop songs ever by far ... Again by A. Hammond intones to kneel down ...

So time for purchasing this "Greatest Hits", which combines all these catchy tunes and well-known melodies.

It could have been a really good CD if ... Yes, if still one or the other song would have been considered by the 1981 album "Your World And My World". Unfortunately nil return ... As well as additionally, his composed songs for other artists such. B. "Nothing Gonna Stop Us Now" (a hit of Starship from the 80s) or "One Moment In Time" (Whitney Houston), the Albert Hammond and even sang.

And one more thing: The sound of the CD falls, unlike the original vinyl albums, unfortunately, somewhat. The sound of LP's Albert Hammond analogue, warmer, much more spatial and more substantial than some hissing and sterile sounding CD.

So the work of Albert Hammond as a songwriter and music producer is valued only half-heartedly with this compilation. Otherwise I would have liked to give it 5 stars for the music ...

But for this price (!) You can of course still the disc without hesitation recommend. A CD of one of the world's best songwriters who can be heard over and over again. With all the associated memories of the time in the 1970s.

Nice that Albert Hammond to still making music and producing.