Hangin' Around the Observatory is the debut solo studio album by American singer-songwriter John Hiatt. It was released in 1974 through Epic Records. The recording sessions took place at Columbia Recording Studios in Nashville.[1] The album was produced by Glen Spreen.[2][3] The song "Sure As I'm Sittin' Here" was released as a single,[4] and was covered that same year by Three Dog Night on their album Hard Labor, and was a top 20 hit.[5]
Reception
A Billboard magazine reviewer says that the album "showcases a young writer and vocalist of obvious promise," and that "Hiatt's rich, slightly crazed and occasionally overwrought vocals are sympathetically buoyed by Glen Spreen's production, ranging from buzz-saw rock to sweet country without losing its coherence."[2] A Record World reviewer calls Hiatt an "unusually gifted writer and performer whose voice and songs are strangely compelling and often insightful."[11]
Track listing
All tracks are written by John Hiatt.
Side one| Title |
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| 1. | "Maybe Baby, Say You Do" | 2:35 |
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| 2. | "Whistles in My Ears" | 3:24 |
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| 3. | "Sure As I'm Sittin' Here" | 3:18 |
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| 4. | "Rose" | 3:05 |
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| 5. | "Hangin' Around the Observatory" | 3:00 |
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Side two| Title |
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| 1. | "Full Moon" | 5:16 |
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| 2. | "Wild-Eyed Gypsies" | 4:44 |
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| 3. | "It's All Right with Me" | 3:46 |
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| 4. | "Little Blue Song for You" | 3:12 |
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| 5. | "Ocean" | 5:24 |
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| Total length: | 37:44 |
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Personnel
- John Hiatt – songwriter, arranger, design
- Glen Spreen – producer, remixing
- Gene Eichelberger – recording engineer
- Stan Hutto – recording engineer and remixing
- Ron Reynolds – recording and technical engineer
- Mike Figlio – recording engineer
- Ed Hudson – technical engineer
- Jerry Watson – technical engineer
- Charles Bradley – technical engineer
- Freeman Ramsey – technical engineer
- Lou Bradley – remixing
- Bill Barnes – design
- Peggy Owens – design
- Wilbur "Slick" Lawson – photography
References
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Hangin' Around the Observatory Review by William Ruhlmann". AllMusic.
- ^ a b "Billboard's Top Album Picks" (PDF). Billboard. February 2, 1974. p. 48 – via World Radio History.
- ^ "Record World Album Picks" (PDF). Record World. January 19, 1974. p. 12 – via World Radio History.
- ^ "Hollywood - Cash Box's Greatest Hits: The Editors Discuss Their '74 Faves" (PDF). Cashbox. December 28, 1974. p. 102 – via World Radio History.
- ^ Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. pp. 446–447. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Hangin' Around the Observatory – John Hiatt | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: H". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved February 26, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ Jones, Tim. "Hangin' Around the Observatory/Overcoats John Hiatt". Record Collector.
- ^ "RollingStone.com – John Hiatt Recordings". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 20, 2002. Retrieved May 17, 2022 – via Wayback Machine.
- ^ Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian David (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon and Schuster. p. 378. ISBN 978-0-7432-0169-8.
- ^ "Record World Album Picks" (PDF). Record World – via World Radio History.
External links
| Authority control databases | |
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